Allows for the removal of members of the state board of parole by a majority vote in the senate and the assembly; requires three or more members of such board personally interview potential parolees; requires that the determination to parole an incarcerated individual be unanimous.
NEW YORK STATE ASSEMBLY MEMORANDUM IN SUPPORT OF LEGISLATION submitted in accordance with Assembly Rule III, Sec 1(f)
BILL NUMBER: A7532
SPONSOR: Barclay (MS) TITLE OF BILL:
An act to amend the executive law, in relation to the state board of
parole membership, interviews with incarcerated individuals, and deter-
mination of parole
PURPOSE OR GENERAL IDEA OF BILL:
This bill allows members of the New York State Parole Board to be
removed by a majority vote of the Senate and the Assembly in addition to
removal by the Governor and removes cause language. This bill also
requires a minimum of three, members to interview inmates seeking parole
and require a unanimous vote of the 3 members for each determination on
parole.
SUMMARY OF PROVISIONS:
Section 1 amends section 259-b of the Executive Law by allowing a member
of the parole board to be, removed by a majority vote in the Senate and
the Assembly in addition to the Governor. This section also removes
language "for cause after an opportunity to be heard."
Sections 2 and 3 amend section 25.9i of the Executive Law requiring a
minimum of three or more members of the parole board to personally
interview each inmate and determine whether he or she should be paroled.
These sections would also require such determination to be made by unan-
imous agreement of the board.
Section 4 contains the effective date, immediately.
JUSTIFICATION:
Recently, the New York. State Parole Board has made several questionable
determinations granting early release for violent criminals who have
committed horrific crimes Some of these criminals have been released
back to the streets by 2-1 decisions by Members of the parole board.
These split decisions demonstrate that at least one member of the parole
board deems these criminals still not ready to be released. Requiring a
unanimous agreement by the parole board would help to eliminate any
doubt in parole determinations. This legislation also provides the
legislature to remove parole board members they deem unfit.
PRIOR LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:
A11068 of 2020 Referred to Correction
A5737 of 2021-22 Held for Consideration in Correction
A5225 of 2023-24 Referred to Correction
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS FOR STATE AND LOCAL GOVERNMENTS:
None
EFFECTIVE DATE:
Immediately
