Bill > A05819

This bill introduces new requirements for financial institutions that issue electronic benefit transfer cards (referred to as "release debit cards") to incarcerated individuals upon their release from correctional facilities in New York state. The bill mandates that these financial institutions must provide a clear, detailed, and easily understandable schedule of fees and charges associated with the card, which must be presented in plain language and include specifics about various potential fees such as ATM use, balance inquiries, fund transfers, card replacement, account maintenance, and customer service interactions. The fee schedule must be provided in both physical and electronic formats, made available on the card provider's official website, and translated into the six most common non-English languages spoken by individuals with limited English proficiency in New York. Additionally, the bill stipulates that fee changes can occur no more than once per year and must be communicated to cardholders at least 60 days in advance through physical and, when possible, electronic notifications. The primary goal of this legislation appears to be increasing transparency and protecting recently released individuals from unexpected or excessive financial charges related to their release debit cards.

Budget and Finance, Justice

https://www.nysenate.gov/legislation/bills/2025/A5819