Conforms the definition of an incarcerated individual with a serious mental illness to the definition of "person with a serious mental illness" in the mental hygiene law.
Summary
A03102 amends the correction law to change how New York identifies incarcerated individuals who qualify as having a serious mental illness for purposes of segregated confinement rules. The bill replaces the current list of specific psychiatric diagnoses in correction law with a cross-reference to the definition of “person with a serious mental illness” in the mental hygiene law. In effect, it updates the standard used in correctional settings so that eligibility is determined under the broader, existing mental hygiene law definition rather than a fixed list of diagnoses.
The bill is narrowly focused on the treatment of incarcerated people in segregated confinement and on the Department of Corrections’ application of mental-health protections. It would take effect 90 days after becoming law and would likely require corrections officials and clinical staff to use the mental hygiene law definition when assessing whether a person has a serious mental illness. The measure appears intended to align correction law with current mental health terminology and standards used elsewhere in state law.
Impact
The bill would amend section 137 of the correction law by deleting the enumerated Axis I diagnosis list and substituting the mental hygiene law’s definition of a person with a serious mental illness. This would affect how correctional facilities classify incarcerated individuals for purposes of segregated confinement and related mental-health safeguards, potentially changing who is covered under the statute depending on the scope of the mental hygiene law definition. It would primarily impact the Department of Corrections and Community Supervision, incarcerated individuals, and clinical evaluators working in correctional facilities.
Sentiment
The available vote history suggests generally favorable sentiment toward the bill, at least in committee, where the Assembly Correction Committee advanced it by a 9-3 vote to Ways and Means. No committee transcript is available, but the bill’s purpose appears technical and reform-oriented, aimed at modernizing and harmonizing mental-health definitions rather than creating a new policy framework. The committee vote indicates support, though not unanimous.
Contention
The main point of contention is likely the scope of who qualifies as having a serious mental illness under the revised standard. Supporters may view the bill as a needed conformity measure that updates outdated diagnostic language and better aligns correction law with mental health law. Opponents may be concerned that replacing a specific diagnosis list with a broader statutory definition could expand eligibility, increase administrative burden, or affect the operation of segregated confinement rules. The 9-3 committee vote indicates some disagreement, but no detailed objections are available in the record provided.
Same As
Conforms the definition of an incarcerated individual with a serious mental illness to the definition of "person with a serious mental illness" in the mental hygiene law.
Conforms the definition of an incarcerated individual with a serious mental illness to the definition of "person with a serious mental illness" in the mental hygiene law.
Conforms the definition of an incarcerated individual with a serious mental illness to the definition of "person with a serious mental illness" in the mental hygiene law.