NY S08567

Changes the legal terminology from "not responsible by reason of mental disease or defect" to "responsible but for mental disease or defect" throughout New York criminal procedure and mental hygiene laws

Establishes mandatory minimum and maximum commitment terms for felony offenses, including life sentences with 15-20 year minimums for Class A felony homicides, and scaling down to 2-year maximums with one-third minimum terms for Class E felonies

Requires mandatory hearings to determine whether a defendant has a dangerous mental disorder and poses a risk to public safety before any release can be granted after serving the minimum commitment period

Eliminates the option for out-patient psychiatric examinations following a verdict or plea, requiring all defendants to be committed to a secure facility for examination

Requires court referral to supreme court for civil commitment proceedings under Mental Hygiene Law Article 9 if a defendant has served the maximum sentence but continues to pose a danger to others or the community