NY A03142

Proposes amendment to New York Constitution Section 24 of Article 3 to prohibit involuntary employment of prisoners in state prisons, penitentiaries, jails, and reformatories.

Eliminates current constitutional language allowing the legislature to provide for prisoner occupation and employment, and removes exemptions for state or public institution work.

Prohibits compelling prisoners to labor through actual force, threats of force, threats of punishment, threats of legal coercion, or schemes intended to cause belief that refusal would result in physical, emotional, mental harm or physical restraint.

Allows prisoners to voluntarily perform work only for nonprofit organizations operated exclusively for religious, charitable, or educational purposes.

Requires constitutional amendment be referred to the first regular legislative session after the next general election and published for 3 months prior to that election per Article 19 requirements.