New York A 11413: Enacts the "family reunification and economic empowerment act"

Bill Text

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A11413 Summary:

BILL NOA11413 

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SAME ASNo Same As

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SPONSORRules (Zinerman)

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COSPNSR

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MLTSPNSR

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Add §173, Cor L

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Enacts the "family reunification and economic empowerment act" in relation to the establishment of a family reunification and economic empowerment pilot program to be administered by the department of corrections and community supervision to provide incarcerated parents in the city of New York with access to paid apprenticeship and employment opportunities while incarcerated.

Go to top A11413 Actions:

BILL NOA11413 

&nbsp

05/15/2026referred to correction

Go to topA11413 Committee&nbspVotes:

Go to topA11413 Floor&nbspVotes:

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

Go to topA11413 Text:

 STATE OF NEW YORK
 ________________________________________________________________________

 11413

 IN ASSEMBLY

 May 15, 2026
 ___________

 Introduced by COMMITTEE ON RULES -- (at request of M. of A. Zinerman) --
 read once and referred to the Committee on Correction

 AN ACT to amend the correction law, in relation to enacting the "family
 reunification and economic empowerment act"

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

 1 Section 1. Short title. This act shall be known and may be cited as
 2 the "family reunification and economic empowerment act".
 3 § 2. Legislative findings and intent. The legislature finds and
 4 declares that:
 5 Family separation caused by incarceration has devastating social and
 6 economic consequences for children and communities across New York
 7 state. Existing prison labor systems rely on compulsory, underpaid, and
 8 non-rehabilitative work, which prevents incarcerated individuals from
 9 meaningfully contributing to the well-being of their families or prepar-
 10 ing for successful reentry. Strengthening family bonds during incarcera-
 11 tion reduces recidivism, improves child outcomes, and lowers state
 12 spending on foster care, child welfare, and public assistance. A rehabi-
 13 litative employment and training model that pays fair wages to incarcer-
 14 ated individuals, invests in family connections, and builds marketable
 15 skills will create a path toward family stability, economic empowerment,
 16 and community safety. The state further finds that its purchasing power
 17 should be used to strengthen families and communities, not perpetuate
 18 cycles of poverty and incarceration.
 19 It is the intent of this act to:
 20 1. Prevent unnecessary family separation by providing technology and
 21 support for ongoing contact between incarcerated parents and their chil-
 22 dren;
 23 2. Create a pilot program in New York City that establishes paid
 24 apprenticeships for incarcerated parents;
 25 3. Ensure that compensation earned can be used to support dependents,
 26 cover commissary needs, and build financial readiness for reentry;

 EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
 [ ] is old law to be omitted.
 LBD15876-01-6

 A. 11413 2

 1 4. By reforming procurement practices and opening opportunities to
 2 incarcerated workers, New York can align its economic policies with the
 3 values of rehabilitation, family stability, and community reinvestment.
 4 § 3. The correction law is amended by adding a new section 173 to read
 5 as follows:
 6 § 173. Family reunification and economic empowerment pilot program. 1.
 7 Establishment. There is hereby created a family reunification and
 8 economic empowerment pilot program or "pilot program", administered by
 9 the department, to provide incarcerated parents in the city of New York
 10 with access to paid apprenticeship and employment opportunities while
 11 incarcerated.
 12 2. Wages. Participants in such pilot program shall be compensated at a
 13 rate no less than fifty percent of the state minimum wage.
 14 3. Use of earnings. Earnings from apprenticeship and employment oppor-
 15 tunities pursuant to such pilot program shall be deposited into accounts
 16 designated for the incarcerated individual and may be allocated toward:
 17 (a) child support or dependent care payments;
 18 (b) commissary purchases; and
 19 (c) savings accounts for reentry upon release.
 20 4. Training and certification. Participants shall r