NY A00918

Allows early parole release for incarcerated individuals after completing one-half of their minimum sentence if substance abuse was a significant contributing factor to their offense.

Requires individuals to have successfully completed an in-prison substance abuse treatment program and have no drug, marijuana, or alcohol-related disciplinary violations for at least two years prior to parole application.

Excludes individuals convicted of A-I felonies (except drug-related felonies under article 220) and violent felonies from early release eligibility.

Establishes three methods for determining whether substance abuse was a significant factor: sentencing court finding, department record review, or conviction for a crime involving drug or alcohol use or possession.

Permits sentencing courts to make a finding that substance abuse was a significant contributing factor when imposing sentences for controlled substance or marijuana offenses.