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S 3929

Authorizes certain incarcerated individuals serving an indeterminate sentence to receive good time allowances of up to 1/3 of their minimum sentences

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Brad Hoylman-Sigal and 1 co-sponsor

Allows up to one-third of a minimum indeterminate sentence as good time for eligible inmates, shortening time to release or parole and altering corrections workflows.

REFERRED TO CRIME VICTIMS, CRIME AND CORRECTION
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Bill Summary · S 3929

Summary: S 3929 — Good Time Allowances for Certain Incarcerated Individuals with Indeterminate Sentences

Purpose and intent

S 3929 proposes to authorize good time credits for a subset of incarcerated individuals who are serving indeterminate sentences. The core aim is to allow these individuals to earn up to one-third (1/3) of their minimum sentence in good time credits, potentially shortening the time they must serve before eligibility for release or parole decisions. The bill’s title and summary indicate a shift toward expanding the availability of good time in specific cases within the indeterminate-sentence framework.

Key provisions (as proposed)

  • Eligibility: The bill would apply only to “certain incarcerated individuals” who are serving an indeterminate sentence. Detailed criteria (who qualifies, what conduct or programs count, etc.) would be specified in the full text of the bill.
  • Credit amount: Authorized good time allowances of up to 1/3 of the individual’s minimum sentence. This creates a defined cap on the amount of time that can be deducted from the minimum term through good behavior or other credited time.
  • Scope and mechanism: The exact mechanism for earning, approving, and applying these credits (e.g., discretionary vs. automatic, review processes, frequency of accrual) would be governed by the statute and related administrative rules.
  • Implementation considerations: The bill would interact with existing good time statutes and parole/release processes, potentially altering release timing for affected individuals if enacted.

Affected parties and entities

  • Incarcerated individuals: Specifically those serving indeterminate sentences who meet the bill’s eligibility criteria.
  • Corrections and parole agencies: Departments responsible for administering good time, calculating release dates, and processing parole decisions would implement any new credits.
  • Victims and communities: Changes to release timing could have implications for victims’ rights and notification processes, depending on how release decisions and timelines are communicated.

Procedural and timeline aspects

  • Introduced: January 30, 2025.
  • Status: Referred to the Senate committees on Crime Victims, Crime and Correction (as reflected in the version provided).
  • Legislative actions: The bill’s listed actions show repeated committee referral on the same date, indicating initial committee review steps.
  • Sponsors: Primary sponsor Senator Zellnor Myrie; cosponsor Senator Brad Hoylman-Sigal.
  • Related bills: Several prior-session bills (S 984, S 4808, S 4434, S 732, S 4066, S 3289) suggest ongoing legislative interest in good time and indeterminate-sentence policies.

Potential impacts and considerations

  • Release timing: Allowing up to 1/3 of the minimum sentence as good time could shorten time to eligibility for release or parole for eligible individuals.
  • Policy consistency: The bill would need to align with existing good time rules, parole guidelines, and risk assessment practices to ensure fairness and public safety.
  • Fiscal implications: The bill could affect inmate population dynamics and costs associated with housing, supervision, and parole processing; specifics would depend on eligibility and implementation details.
  • Equity and safeguards: As with any credit expansion, considerations around eligibility criteria, transparent administration, and safeguards against abuse would be important.

Notes for readers

  • The summary above is based on the bill’s title and introductory information. The full text would provide precise criteria, procedures, and the exact framework for earning and applying the credits. If available, reviewing the bill’s language would clarify eligibility, implementation timeline, and any transitional provisions.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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