Cuomo OKs online publication of NY parole board appeal decisions

After vetoing a similar bill last year, Gov. Andrew Cuomo approved legislation late Wednesday that will allow for the online publication of state parole board decisions. 

The documents must be published on a "searchable, publicly accessible website" within 60 days of the parole board's decision. The website will include a word searchable database and a cumulative subject matter index of appeal decisions, according to the bill's text. 

The legislation sponsored by Assemblyman David Weprin, who chairs the chamber's Correction committee, and state Sen. Velmanette Montgomery received bipartisan support. The state Senate passed the bill by a 63-0 vote. The measure passed by a 135-0 vote in the Assembly. 

Cuomo's stance on the bill changed because of a correction made by the sponsors. The measure he vetoed last year would have taken effect 30 days after becoming law. Cuomo called that time frame "not attainable." 

Montgomery and Weprin changed the effective date to one year to allow for the construction of the database and to ensure there is funding in the budget for the publication of parole board decisions. 

To read the full article, visit http://auburnpub.com/blogs/eye_on_ny/cuomo-oks-online-publication-of-ny-parole-board-appeal-decisions/article_aac0d460-d5dc-11e7-9194-af629f433ee9.html