Int. No. 1013-A
By Council Members Johnson, Crowley, Levin, Cohen, Chin, Koo, Rosenthal and Kallos
A Local Law to amend the administrative code of the city of New York, in relation to discharge planning for inmates in city correctional facilities
Be it enacted by the Council as follows:
Section 1. Title 9 of the administrative code of the city of New York is amended by adding a new section 9-127.1 to read as follows:
§ 9-127.1. Discharge planning. a. As used in this section, the following terms have the following meanings:
Discharge plan. The term “discharge plan” means a plan describing the manner in which an eligible inmate will be able to receive re-entry services upon release from the custody of the department to the community. A discharge plan shall, to the extent practicable, be designed to address the unique needs of each eligible inmate, including but not limited to the inmate’s geographic location upon release from the custody of the department, specific social service needs if applicable, prior criminal history, and employment needs.
Eligible inmate. The term “eligible inmate” means a person who served a sentence of 30 days or more in the custody of the department, and who is being released from the custody of the department to the community.
Re-entry services. The term “re-entry services” means appropriate programming and support planning offered to an inmate upon release from the custody of the department to the community, as well as follow-up support offered to the inmate after his or her release. Such programming, support planning, and follow-up support shall include case management and connections to employment, and other social services that may be available to such inmate upon his or her release.
b. Prior to the release of an eligible inmate from the custody of the department, a designee of the department shall to the extent practicable develop and offer to such inmate a discharge plan. Discharge plans developed pursuant to this section shall not be required when, upon release from the custody of the department, an inmate is transferred to the custody of another government agency or to the custody of a hospital or healthcare provider, or where a discharge plan is otherwise required by law.
§ 2. This local law takes effect June 1, 2018.
LS #3750
BC
7/31/17