BILL NUMBER: S4379
SPONSOR: COMRIE
 
TITLE OF BILL:
An act to amend the correction law, in relation to requiring the educa-
tional and vocational credits earned by incarcerated individuals are
transferable upon release
 
PURPOSE:
This bill will ensure that incarcerated individuals who undertake educa-
tional and vocational programs will be able to transfer such credits,
certifications, etc., upon release.
 
SUMMARY OF PROVISIONS:
This bill amends the correction law, to make it clear that educational
and vocational credits earned by individuals while incarcerated are
transferable and usable.
 
JUSTIFICATION:
Direct reports from inside correctional facilities have shed light on a
disconcerting phenomenon: many individuals who excel at educational and
vocational courses while incarcerated find that, upon release, their
credits, certifications and the like are not transferable to colleges,
universities, workplaces and so forth. To the extent this is true, it is
a cataclysmic waste. This legislation seeks to rectify this situation
and make these programs meaningful, effective, rehabilitative and trans-
ferable.
 
LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:
2023-2024: S5598 Comrie/ A9320 Dilan
2021-2022: S4115
 
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS:
No cost whatsoever.
 
LOCAL FISCAL IMPLICATIONS:
No cost whatsoever.
 
EFFECTIVE DATE:
Immediate.

Statutes affected:
S4379: 136 correction law, 136(1) correction law