BILL NUMBER: S5586
SPONSOR: LANZA
 
TITLE OF BILL:
An act to amend the criminal procedure law and the executive law, in
relation to requiring that all family members of a crime victim and all
interested parties who want to give a victim impact statement to parole
board members be allowed to do so
 
PURPOSE::
Provides for family members of a crime victim and interested parties to
make statements to members of the parole board.
 
SUMMARY OF PROVISIONS::
Section one amends Section 440.50 of the criminal procedure law, as
added by chapter 496 of the laws of 1978, subdivision 1 as amended by
chapter 193 of the laws of 2017, and subdivision 2 as amended by chapter
14 of the laws of 1985.
Section two amends paragraph (c) of subdivision 2 of section 259-I of
the executive law.
Section 3 is the effective date.
 
JUSTIFICATION::
Prior to a convicted criminals parole, hearing, it is necessary that
proper action is taken to ensure all evidence is brought to the atten-
tion and consideration of the parole board. It is therefore crucial to
hear testimony from not only the victim and the criminal, but family
members and interested parties of a crime victim as well.
Any person who has been involved in the case and can provide sufficient
information should be allowed to go before all three members of the
parole board to testify. Previously, only one parole board member was
required to hear testimony from family members. Giving family members
the opportunity to speak before the parole board will make the process
open and more fair to a victim's family who has gone through an
emotional roller coaster since the criminal act was committed. A convict
has the ability to plead his case before all three members of the parole
board. Why can't all family members and interested parties have the same
opportunity to speak to all board members? It is the states responsibil-
ity that crime victim's rights be preserved, ensuring a more judicious
process.
 
LEGISLATIVE HISTORY::
2024: S.4188 - Referred to Codes
2023: S.4188 - Referred to Codes
2022: S.4922 - Referred to Codes /A.6983 - Referred to Codes
2021: S.4922 - Referred to Codes /A.6983 - Referred to Codes
2020: S.1782 - Referred to Codes / A.7315- Referred to Codes
2019: S.1782 - Referred to Codes / A.7315- Referred to Codes
2018: S.6200 - Passed Senate / A.8444-A- Referred to Codes
2017: S.6200 - Passed Senate Senate / A.8444 - Referred to Codes
2016: S.4625 - Passed Senate
2015: S.4625 - Passed Senate
2014: S.4153 - Referred to Codes / A.6167- Referred to Codes
2013: S.4153 - Referred to Codes / A.6167- Referred to Codes
2012: S.2946- Referred to Codes / A.7050- Referred to Codes
2011: S.2946 - 3rd Reading Calendar / A.3596 - Referred to Codes
2010: S.730 - Referred to Codes / A.3596 -Referred to Codes
2009: S.730 - Referred to Codes / A.3596 -Referred to Codes
2008: S.6825 - Passed Senate / A.10118 - Referred to Codes
 
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS::
None.
 
EFFECTIVE DATE::
This act shall take effect on the first of November next suding the date
on which it shall have become a law.

Statutes affected:
S5586: 259-i executive law, 259-i(2) executive law