Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to pass a bill that increases the State Commission of Correction from 3 to 9 members and adds new provisions to diversify membership and create efficient appointment and term procedures in New York.

Highlights:

● Expands the Commission of Correction to nine members, with appointments for these positions made by the Governor, the Speaker of the Assembly, the Temporary President of the Senate, and the Correctional Association (Sec. 1).

● Requires that Commission members consist of individuals with diverse backgrounds such as formerly incarcerated persons, public health professionals, behavioral healthcare professionals, attorneys with relevant legal expertise, and any other professionals in fields beneficial to the correctional system (Sec. 1).

● Specifies that the Governor will annually designate one member as chairperson of the Commission (Sec. 1).

● Establishes five-year terms for members, with staggered initial terms based on the appointing authority, and limits total years of service to no more than ten years (Sec. 1).

● Authorizes that an appointed commission member can be removed by the appointment authority who nominated them, but only after providing an opportunity to be heard (Sec. 1).

Full Bill Text