Bill > S04330

This bill expands eligibility for youthful offender status and creates a new category of "young adult offender" status for individuals aged 19 to 25, aiming to provide alternatives to traditional criminal convictions and reduce the long-term consequences of a criminal record. Key provisions include broadening the definition of "youth" to include those aged 16 to 18, making more offenses eligible for youthful offender status by removing certain exclusions and clarifying the court's discretion in granting it, especially for serious crimes like rape or aggravated sexual abuse, by requiring a focus on the interest of justice and specific mitigating factors. The bill also establishes a new "young adult status" for individuals between 19 and 25, outlining similar eligibility criteria and judicial considerations for granting this status, which functions similarly to youthful offender status by vacating convictions and replacing them with a finding that does not carry the same collateral consequences as a criminal conviction. Furthermore, the bill introduces provisions for automatic readjudication and resentencing for certain individuals under 26 who were convicted of misdemeanors or violations, and allows for applications for young adult adjudication for those currently in custody, with the goal of promoting rehabilitation and successful reintegration into society.

Housing and Urban Affairs

https://www.nysenate.gov/legislation/bills/2025/S4330