Bill > S05293

This bill amends the New York correction law to create a new provision allowing incarcerated individuals to receive public health emergency time allowances during declared state of disaster emergencies related to communicable or infectious diseases. Specifically, the bill enables eligible inmates serving indeterminate or determinate sentences (except those convicted of sex offenses) to receive sentence reductions of six months for each month served during a public health emergency, with a maximum total reduction of twelve months for any single emergency. To qualify, the emergency must be declared by the governor, arise from a communicable disease, and result in modifications to correctional facility operations. The time allowances provide remission from both the minimum and maximum terms of an individual's sentence, effectively shortening their overall time of incarceration. This legislation aims to provide some relief to incarcerated individuals during public health crises by recognizing the potential increased health risks and operational challenges they may face during such emergencies. The bill takes effect immediately upon passage.

Justice

https://www.nysenate.gov/legislation/bills/2025/S5293