NY A01843

Allows incarcerated individuals to become eligible for early parole release after serving one-half of their minimum sentence if substance abuse was a significant contributing factor in their offense and they have completed a correctional substance abuse treatment program

Requires individuals to have no disciplinary violations for drug, marijuana, or alcohol use for at least two years prior to applying for early release

Excludes individuals serving sentences for A-I felonies (except drug offenses under Penal Law Article 220) and violent felony offenses from eligibility

Permits courts sentencing defendants for controlled substance or marijuana offenses to make a formal finding that substance abuse was a significant contributing factor, which can later support early release consideration

Authorizes the parole board to determine substance abuse contribution based on court findings, department record review, or when drug/alcohol use or possession was an element of the crime, using evidence such as pre-sentence reports, hospital records, and law enforcement records