Bill > S05090

This bill modifies the composition of the state board of parole to require that its membership more closely reflects the demographics of the prison population. Specifically, the bill mandates that the board shall have between 15 and 19 members appointed by the governor with Senate consent, and these members must represent the prison population proportionally in terms of race, ethnicity, age, and geographic area of residence. The bill sets a transition timeline, abolishing the current board configuration on January 1, 2026, and requiring new appointments to be made before that date to ensure the board meets the new demographic representation requirements. The board will continue to function independently within the department regarding decision-making, while still being subject to general administrative matters. The six-year term for board members remains unchanged, and provisions are maintained for filling vacancies and addressing temporary member disabilities. The bill aims to create a more representative oversight body for parole decisions by ensuring the board's makeup more closely mirrors the population it serves.

Justice

https://www.nysenate.gov/legislation/bills/2025/S5090