Loading chat...

NY A08661

Bill

Status

Introduced

10/21/2019

Primary Sponsor

Harvey Epstein

Click for details

Origin

Assembly

2019-2020 General Assembly

AI Summary

  • Proposes amendment to Section 24 of Article 3 of the New York State Constitution to prohibit involuntary employment of prisoners
  • Removes existing language allowing the legislature to provide for prisoner occupation and employment, replacing it with an absolute prohibition on forced labor
  • Permits prisoners to voluntarily perform work only for nonprofit organizations (religious, charitable, or educational purposes)
  • Defines prohibited coercion to include actual force, threats of force, threats of punishment, threats of legal coercion, or any scheme intended to make prisoners believe they or others will suffer physical, emotional, mental harm or physical restraint
  • Requires referral to the first regular legislative session after the next general election and 3-month publication period before taking effect

Legislative Description

Relates to prohibiting involuntary employment of prisoners; provides that no prisoner shall be compelled to provide labor against his or her will by actual force, threats of force, threats of punishment, threats of legal coercion or by any scheme, plan or pattern intended to cause the person to believe that, if such person did not provide such labor that such person or another person would suffer serious harm or physical restraint.

Last Action

opinion referred to judiciary

2/14/2020

Committee Referrals

Judiciary2/14/2020
Correction1/8/2020
Judiciary11/27/2019
Correction10/21/2019

Full Bill Text

No bill text available