BILL NUMBER: S225C
SPONSOR: MYRIE
 
TITLE OF BILL:
CONCURRENT RESOLUTION OF THE SENATE AND ASSEMBLY proposing an amendment
to article 1 of the constitution, in relation to the abolition of slav-
ery for persons convicted of a crime
 
PURPOSE:
To amend the New York State Constitution to allow incarcerated persons
the right to refuse to work while in prison.
 
SUMMARY OF PROVISIONS:
Section 1 proposes an amendment to article 1 of the New York State
Constitution to forbid forced labor of incarcerated individuals in any
state prison, penitentiary, jail or reformatory.
Section 2 provides the effective date.
 
JUSTIFICATION:
The 13th Amendment of the U.S. Constitution abolished slavery and invol-
untary servitude as punishment for a crime. Thus, although unacceptable
in free society, the use of forced labor continues to proliferate the
prison system. This proposed amendment to the state constitution calls
for outlawing this practice in all factions of life and providing incar-
cerated individuals with optional employment opportunities only.
 
LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:
S308 of 2021-22: Opinion referred to Judiciary
S6781 of 2019-20: Opinion referred to Judiciary
 
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS:
To be determined.
 
EFFECTIVE DATE:
Resolved (if the Assembly concur), That the foregoing be referred to the
first regular legislative session convening after the next succeeding
general election of members of the assembly, and, in conformity with
section 1 of article 19 of the constitution, be published for 3 months
previous to the time of such election.