New York A 781: Establishes rehabilitation programs within secure treatment facilities for persistent criminal offenders who have been convicted of ten or more violent criminal offenses

Bill Text

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A00781 Summary:

BILL NOA00781 

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SAME ASNo Same As

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SPONSORPirozzolo

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COSPNSR

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MLTSPNSR

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Add Art 11 §§11.01 - 11.09, Ment Hyg L; add §70.12, Pen L

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Establishes rehabilitation programs within secure treatment facilities for persistent criminal offenders who have been convicted of ten or more violent criminal offenses; establishes eligibility criteria for rehabilitation programs, including requiring a hearing and finding by the court that demonstrates that the persistent criminal offender's criminal pattern and risk to public safety or themselves.

Go to top A00781 Actions:

BILL NOA00781 

&nbsp

01/08/2025referred to alcoholism and drug abuse

01/07/2026referred to alcoholism and drug abuse

Go to topA00781 Committee&nbspVotes:

Go to topA00781 Floor&nbspVotes:

There are no Assembly votes for this bill in this legislative session.

Go to topA00781 Text:

 STATE OF NEW YORK
 ________________________________________________________________________

 781

 2025-2026 Regular Sessions

 IN ASSEMBLY

 (Prefiled)

 January 8, 2025
 ___________

 Introduced by M. of A. PIROZZOLO -- read once and referred to the
 Committee on Alcoholism and Drug Abuse

 AN ACT to amend the mental hygiene law and the penal law, in relation to
 establishing rehabilitation programs within secure treatment facili-
 ties for persistent criminal offenders who have been convicted of ten
 or more violent criminal offenses

 The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assem-
 bly, do enact as follows:

 1 Section 1. This act shall be known and may be cited as the "REPEAT
 2 (recidivism eradication and persistent offender accountability) act".
 3 § 2. Legislative findings and intent. The Legislature finds that New
 4 York State's criminal justice reforms, including bail reform laws, have
 5 created a crime emergency, particularly in the City of New York. These
 6 laws have limited judicial discretion, hindered law enforcement's abili-
 7 ty to protect our citizenry, undermined public safety, and facilitated
 8 repeat offenses by violent felons. Current laws fail to adequately
 9 address the danger posed by persistent violent criminal offenders or
 10 provide sufficient pathways for treatment and rehabilitation. The recent
 11 criminal case of Ramon Rivera which involved multiple stabbings in the
 12 City of New York highlights the urgent need for reform, as legislative
 13 gaps allowed a repeat violent offender to commit further crimes, despite
 14 prior convictions.
 15 This legislation aims to right these wrongs by ensuring treatment for
 16 persistent criminal offenders while promoting comprehensive rehabili-
 17 tation. The Legislature intends to strengthen public safety by amending
 18 the Penal Law to enhance sentencing provisions for persistent violent
 19 criminal offenders and by amending the Mental Hygiene Law to establish
 20 comprehensive treatment and confinement programs for such offenders,
 21 ensuring both their rehabilitation and societal protection. The REPEAT
 22 Act provides an opportunity for rehabilitation while prioritizing public

 EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
 [ ] is old law to be omitted.
 LBD01039-01-5

 A. 781 2

 1 safety and enforcing consequences for those who continue to endanger
 2 society.
 3 § 3. The mental hygiene law is amended by adding a new article 11 to
 4 read as follows:
 5 ARTICLE 11
 6 TREATMENT AND CONFINEMENT OF PERSISTENT CRIMINAL OFFENDERS
 7 Section 11.01 Definitions.
 8 11.03 Establishment of rehabilitation programs within secure
 9 treatment facilities.
 10 11.05 Transfer to secure treatment facilities.
 11 11.07 Parole and conditional release requirements.
 12 11.09 Annual reporting and oversight.
 13 § 11.01 Definitions.
 14 As used in this article, the following terms shall have the following
 15 meanings:
 16 (a) "Persistent criminal offender" shall have the same meaning as
 17 defined in subdivision one of section 70.10 of the penal law and shall
 18 also include persons convicted of ten or more separate violent criminal
 19 offenses, excluding minor traffic violations, within a ten-year period,
 20 including individuals defined as persistent violent felony offenders
 21 pursuant to section 70.08 of the penal law.
 22 (b) "Rehabili