S T A T E O F N E W Y O R K
________________________________________________________________________
4326
2023-2024 Regular Sessions
I N S E N A T E
February 7, 2023
___________
Introduced by Sens. SEPULVEDA, SALAZAR -- read twice and ordered print-
ed, and when printed to be committed to the Committee on Crime
Victims, Crime and Correction
AN ACT to amend the correction law, chapter 738 of the laws of 2004
amending the correction law and other laws relating to controlled
substances and indeterminate sentences, and the executive law, in
relation to expanding eligibility in the merit time allowance program
for all inmates except those serving a sentence of life imprisonment
without parole, murder in the first degree, incest, an act of terror-
ism, aggravated harassment of an employee by an inmate, or an attempt
or conspiracy to commit any such offense, to earn merit time allow-
ance; and to repeal section 803-b of the correction law relating to
limited credit time allowances
THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK, REPRESENTED IN SENATE AND ASSEM-
BLY, DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS:
Section 1. Subparagraphs (i), (ii) and (iv) of paragraph (d) of subdi-
vision 1 of section 803 of the correction law, subparagraph (i) as added
by section 7 of chapter 738 of the laws of 2004, subparagraphs (ii) and
(iv) as amended by section 224 of chapter 322 of the laws of 2021 and
subparagraph (iv) as separately amended by section 1 of chapter 242 of
the laws of 2021, are amended to read as follows:
(i) Except as provided in subparagraph (ii) of this paragraph, every
person under the custody of the department or confined in a facility in
the department of mental hygiene serving an indeterminate sentence of
imprisonment with a minimum period of one year or more or a determinate
sentence of imprisonment of one year or more [imposed pursuant to
section 70.70 or 70.71 of the penal law,] may earn a merit time allow-
ance.
(ii) Such merit time allowance shall not be available to any person
serving [an indeterminate] A sentence [authorized for an A-I felony
offense, other than an A-I felony offense defined in article two hundred
EXPLANATION--Matter in ITALICS (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD03844-01-3
S. 4326 2
twenty of the penal law, or any sentence imposed for a violent felony
offense as defined in section 70.02 of the penal law, manslaughter in
the second degree, vehicular manslaughter in the second degree, vehicu-
lar manslaughter in the first degree, criminally negligent homicide]
IMPOSED FOR MURDER IN THE FIRST DEGREE AS DEFINED IN SECTION 125.27 OF
THE PENAL LAW, an offense defined in article one hundred thirty of the
penal law, incest, [or] an offense defined in article two hundred
sixty-three of the penal law, [or] AN ACT OF TERRORISM AS DEFINED IN
ARTICLE FOUR HUNDRED NINETY OF THE PENAL LAW, aggravated harassment of
an employee by an incarcerated individual, OR AN ATTEMPT OR CONSPIRACY
TO COMMIT ANY SUCH OFFENSE.
(iv) Such merit time allowance may be granted when an incarcerated
individual successfully participates in the work and treatment program
assigned pursuant to section eight hundred five of this article and when
such incarcerated individual [obtains a] ACHIEVES ONE OF THE FOLLOWING:
(1) COMPLETES HIS OR HER general equivalency diploma, HIS OR HER EDUCA-
TIONAL REQUIREMENTS AS DETERMINED BY THE DEPARTMENT OR SATISFACTORILY
COMPLETES COURSEWORK SPONSORED BY AN INSTITUTION OF HIGHER LEARNING
REPRESENTING A SEMESTER OF ACADEMIC TRAINING; (2) COMPLETES an alcohol
and substance abuse treatment [certificate, a vocational trade certif-
icate following at least six months of vocational programming,] PROGRAM,
OR COMPLETES A COMPARABLE PROGRAM OF A DIFFERENT TYPE AS DETERMINED BY
THE DEPARTMENT, INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO, ANGER MANAGEMENT, FAMILY
VIOLENCE, OR PARENTING; (3) COMPLETES A VOCATIONAL TRAINING PROGRAM OR A
COMPARABLE AND EQUIVALENT TRAINING PROGRAM AS DETERMINED BY THE DEPART-
MENT; (4) PERFORMS SATISFACTORILY FOR AT LEAST SIX MONTHS IN A SKILLED
JOB ASSIGNMENT, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO, INCARCERATED INDIVIDUAL
PROGRAM AIDE (IIPA), LAW LIBRARY CLERK, MEDICAL/INFIRMARY AIDE, CHIL-
DREN'S CENTER AIDE, AND FOOD SERVICE WORKER; (5) COMPLETES at least
eighteen credits in a program registered by the state education depart-
ment from a degree-granting higher education institution; or (6)
performs at least four hundred hours of service as part of a community
work crew.
Such allowance shall be withheld for any serious disciplinary infrac-
tion or upon a judicial determination that the person, while an incar-
cerated individual, commenced or continued a civil action, proceeding or
claim that was found to be frivolous as defined in subdivision (c) of
section eight thousand three hundred three-a of the civil practice law
and rules, or an order of a federal court pursuant to rule 11 of the
federal rules of civil procedure imposing sanctions in an action
commenced by a person, while an incarcerated individual, against a state
agency, officer or employee.
§ 2. Subparagraphs (i), (ii) and (iv) of paragraph (d) of subdivision
1 of section 803 of the correction law, subparagraph (i) as added by
section 10-a of chapter 738 of the laws of 2004, subparagraphs (ii) and
(iv) as amended by section 224-a of chapter 322 of the laws of 2021 and
subparagraph (iv) as separately amended by section 2 of chapter 242 of
the laws of 2021, are amended to read as follows:
(i) Except as provided in subparagraph (ii) of this paragraph, every
person under the custody of the department or confined in a facility in
the department of mental hygiene serving an indeterminate sentence of
imprisonment with a minimum period of one year or more or a determinate
sentence of imprisonment of one year or more [imposed pursuant to
section 70.70 or 70.71 of the penal law,] may earn a merit time allow-
ance.
S. 4326 3
(ii) Such merit time allowance shall not be available to any person
serving [an indeterminate] A sentence [authorized for an A-I felony
offense, other than an A-I felony offense defined in article two hundred
twenty of the penal law, or any sentence imposed for a violent felony
offense as defined in section 70.02 of the penal law, manslaughter in
the second degree, vehicular manslaughter in the second degree, vehicu-
lar manslaughter in the first degree, criminally negligent homicide]
IMPOSED FOR MURDER IN THE FIRST DEGREE AS DEFINED IN SECTION 125.27 OF
THE PENAL LAW, an offense defined in article one hundred thirty of the
penal law, incest, [or] an offense defined in article two hundred
sixty-three of the penal law, [or] AN ACT OF TERRORISM AS DEFINED IN
ARTICLE FOUR HUNDRED NINETY OF THE PENAL LAW, aggravated harassment of
an employee by an incarcerated individual, OR AN ATTEMPT OR CONSPIRACY
TO COMMIT ANY SUCH OFFENSE.
(iv) Such merit time allowance may be granted when an incarcerated
individual successfully participates in the work and treatment program
assigned pursuant to section eight hundred five of this article and when
such incarcerated individual [obtains a] ACHIEVES ONE OF THE FOLLOWING:
(1) COMPLETES HIS OR HER general equivalency diploma, HIS OR HER EDUCA-
TIONAL REQUIREMENTS AS DETERMINED BY THE DEPARTMENT OR SATISFACTORILY
COMPLETES COURSEWORK SPONSORED BY AN INSTITUTION OF HIGHER LEARNING
REPRESENTING A SEMESTER OF ACADEMIC TRAINING; (2) COMPLETES an alcohol
and substance abuse treatment [certificate, a vocational trade certif-
icate following at least six months of vocational programming,] PROGRAM,
OR COMPLETES A COMPARABLE PROGRAM OF A DIFFERENT TYPE AS DETERMINED BY
THE DEPARTMENT, INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO, ANGER MANAGEMENT, FAMILY
VIOLENCE, OR PARENTING; (3) COMPLETES A VOCATIONAL TRAINING PROGRAM OR A
COMPARABLE AND EQUIVALENT TRAINING PROGRAM AS DETERMINED BY THE DEPART-
MENT; (4) PERFORMS SATISFACTORILY FOR AT LEAST SIX MONTHS IN A SKILLED
JOB ASSIGNMENT, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO, INCARCERATED INDIVIDUAL
PROGRAM AIDE (IIPA), LAW LIBRARY CLERK, MEDICAL/INFIRMARY AIDE, CHIL-
DREN'S CENTER AIDE, AND FOOD SERVICE WORKER; (5) COMPLETES at least
eighteen credits in a program registered by the state education depart-
ment from a degree-granting higher education institution; or (6)
performs at least four hundred hours of service as part of a community
work crew.
Such allowance shall be withheld for any serious disciplinary infrac-
tion or upon a judicial determination that the person, while an incar-
cerated individual, commenced or continued a civil action, proceeding or
claim that was found to be frivolous as defined in subdivision (c) of
section eight thousand three hundred three-a of the civil practice law
and rules, or an order of a federal court pursuant to rule 11 of the
federal rules of civil procedure imposing sanctions in an action
commenced by a person, while an incarcerated individual, against a state
agency, officer or employee.
§ 3. Subparagraph (v) of paragraph (d) of subdivision 1 of section 803
of the correction law, as added by section 7 of chapter 738 of the laws
of 2004, is amended to read as follows:
(v) The provisions of this paragraph shall apply to persons in custody
serving an indeterminate sentence on the effective date of this para-
graph as well as to persons sentenced to an indeterminate sentence on
and after the effective date of this paragraph and prior to September
first, two thousand five and to persons sentenced to a determinate
sentence [prior to September first, two thousand eleven] for a felony as
defined in article two hundred twenty or two hundred twenty-one of the
penal law.
S. 4326 4
§ 4. Subparagraph (v) of paragraph (d) of subdivision 1 of section 803
of the correction law, as added by section 10-a of chapter 738 of the
laws of 2004, is amended to read as follows:
(v) The provisions of this paragraph shall apply to persons in custody
serving an indeterminate sentence on the effective date of this para-
graph as well as to persons sentenced to an indeterminate sentence on
and after the effective date of this paragraph and prior to September
first, two thousand five and to persons sentenced to a determinate
sentence [prior to September first, two thousand eleven] for a felony as
defined in article two hundred twenty or two hundred twenty-one of the
penal law.
§ 5. Paragraph (g) of subdivision 2-a of section 803 of the correction
law, as added by section 9 of chapter 738 of the laws of 2004, is
amended to read as follows:
(g) The provisions of this subdivision shall apply to persons in
custody serving an indeterminate sentence on the effective date of this
subdivision as well as to persons sentenced to an indeterminate sentence
on and after the effective date of this subdivision and prior to Septem-
ber first, two thousand five and to persons sentenced to a determinate
sentence [prior to September first, two thousand eleven] for a felony as
defined in article two hundred twenty or two hundred twenty-one of the
penal law.
§ 6. Paragraph (g) of subdivision 2-a of section 803 of the correction
law, as added by section 11 of chapter 738 of the laws of 2004, is
amended to read as follows:
(g) The provisions of this subdivision shall apply to persons in
custody serving an indeterminate sentence on the effective date of this
subdivision as well as to persons sentenced to an indeterminate sentence
on and after the effective date of this subdivision and prior to Septem-
ber first, two thousand five and to persons sentenced to a determinate
sentence [prior to September first, two thousand eleven] for a felony as
defined in article two hundred twenty or two hundred twenty-one of the
penal law.
§ 7. Section 803-b of the correction law is REPEALED.
§ 8. Subdivision (c-1) of section 41 of chapter 738 of the laws of
2004 amending the correction law and other laws relating to controlled
substances and indeterminate sentences, is amended to read as follows:
(c-1) the provisions of sections seven, eight, nine, ten and ten-a of
this act, and subdivision 2-a of section 803 of the correction law, as
added by section eleven of this act shall apply to persons in custody
serving an indeterminate sentence on the effective date of such
provisions as well as to persons sentenced to an indeterminate sentence
on and after the effective date of such provisions and prior to Septem-
ber 1, 2005 and to persons sentenced to a determinate sentence [prior to
September 1, 2011] for a felony as defined in article 220 or 221 of the
penal law;
§ 9. Clause (C) of subparagraph (i) of paragraph (e) of subdivision 1
of section 632-a of the executive law, as amended by section 24 of part
A-1 of chapter 56 of the laws of 2010, is amended to read as follows:
(C) [an offense for which a merit time allowance may not be received
against the sentence pursuant to paragraph (d) of subdivision one of
section eight hundred three of the correction law] AN A-I FELONY
OFFENSE, OTHER THAN AN A-I FELONY OFFENSE DEFINED IN ARTICLE TWO HUNDRED
TWENTY OF THE PENAL LAW, MANSLAUGHTER IN THE SECOND DEGREE, VEHICULAR
MANSLAUGHTER IN THE SECOND DEGREE, VEHICULAR MANSLAUGHTER IN THE FIRST
DEGREE, CRIMINALLY NEGLIGENT HOMICIDE, AN OFFENSE DEFINED IN ARTICLE ONE
S. 4326 5
HUNDRED THIRTY OF THE PENAL LAW, INCEST, AN OFFENSE DEFINED IN ARTICLE
TWO HUNDRED SIXTY-THREE OF THE PENAL LAW, AGGRAVATED HARASSMENT OF AN
EMPLOYEE BY AN INMATE;
§ 10. This act shall take effect on the ninetieth day after it shall
have become a law and shall apply to: (i) persons in custody serving an
indeterminate or determinate sentence or sentences on the effective
date; (ii) persons sentenced to an indeterminate or determinate sentence
or sentences on or after the effective date; and (iii) persons who have
not completed service of an indeterminate or determinate sentence or
sentences imposed prior to the effective date; provided, however, that
the amendments to section 803 of the correction law made by sections
one, three, and five of this act shall be subject to the expiration and
reversion of such section pursuant to subdivision d of section 74 of
chapter 3 of the laws of 1995, as amended, when upon such date the
provisions of sections two, four and six of this act shall take effect.