Bill > A05781

This bill amends New York state law to enhance crime victims' rights in cases involving specific felonies, particularly those related to sexual offenses. The bill requires that when a defendant is sentenced to an indeterminate sentence in the custody of the Department of Corrections and Community Supervision, the victim must be notified of their rights during the parole process. Specifically, victims will be informed that they have the right to attend parole board interviews with the incarcerated individual, either in-person or electronically, and to express their opinions about the crime, the offender, and potential parole conditions. Additionally, the bill mandates that parole board members must review all victim impact statements before conducting a hearing, including those from the pre-sentencing report and those submitted directly to the board. These victim impact statements must now be video recorded when submitted directly to the board, and failure to review these statements will invalidate the parole hearing. The goal of these changes is to provide victims with more transparency, participation, and voice in the criminal justice process, particularly during parole proceedings.

Housing and Urban Affairs

https://www.nysenate.gov/legislation/bills/2025/A5781