BILL NUMBER: S4974
SPONSOR: BAILEY
 
TITLE OF BILL:
An act to amend the state finance law and the criminal procedure law, in
relation to establishing a reentry services and treatment fund; and
making an appropriation therefor
 
PURPOSE:
To provide state support for services and treatment for successful
reentry of New Yorkers into the community after incarceration.
 
SUMMARY OF PROVISIONS:
Section one establishes the reentry services and treatment fund to
provide rehabilitation, mental health treatment, workforce development,
and other crime prevention and recidivism reduction services and treat-
ment in the community for New Yorkers reentering the community after a
period of incarceration. This section also requires the creation of a
report discussing the fund's disbursement to assess community health and
safety and criminal justice outcomes. Section two requires added train-
ing on trauma-informed practices. Section three requires a minimum of
$500,000,000 to be appropriated to the department of taxation and
finance from the general fund to fund the reentry program.
 
JUSTIFICATION:
As New York State pursues the important goal of safe decarceration, an
adequately supported system is needed to provide rehabilitation,
accountability, and prevention. Providing communities with the services
and treatment will help prevent crime and reduce recidivism - and is
much less expensive than reincarcerating people. Establishing a funding
stream is necessary to start and maintain this ecosystem of services.
These investments will move New York one step closer to a system in
which alternatives to incarceration programs are scaled up sufficiently
to be accessible to more than a tiny fraction of the public. New York
has not taken the crucial step of serving the criminogenic needs of
those community members returning home after being incarcerated. This
bill is aimed at creating a comprehensive network of services and treat-
ment at the community level to reduce recidivism, prevent crime, and
build healthy communities.
 
LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:
2021-22: S8528 - Referred to Finance
2023-24: S750 - Referred to Finance
 
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS:
This bill will invest savings from reduced incarceration into services
and treatment, which in turn will provide a benefit to the state of
reduced future incarceration costs and safer streets.
 
EFFECTIVE DATE:
Immediately.

Statutes affected:
S4974: 2.30 criminal procedure law