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Bill

A 3596

Enacts "the prison wage act" relating to payment for labor performed by incarcerated individuals

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Michael Benedetto and 19 co-sponsors

Sets wage standards for incarcerated workers in NY, defines allowable deductions (restitution, child support, fees), and requires release savings to aid reentry.

REFERRED TO CORRECTION
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Bill Summary · A 3596

Summary — Assembly Bill A3596 (Print No. 3596B)

Title: "The Prison Wage Act" — relating to payment for labor performed by incarcerated individuals
Bill No.: A3596 (Print No. 3596A → 3596B)
Introduced: January 28, 2025
Current status (from provided docket): Amend and recommit to Correction; Print No. 3596B issued 2025-04-09

Purpose / Intent

The bill’s short title indicates its primary intent is to establish or revise rules governing payment to incarcerated individuals for labor performed while in custody. The general policy aim of such legislation is to set standards for wages, deductions, uses of wages (e.g., victim restitution, child support, savings for release), and administrative procedures relating to prison labor compensation.

Procedural history (selected)

  • 2025-01-28: Referred to Correction
  • 2025-02-03: Amended and recommitted; Print No. 3596A issued
  • 2025-04-09: Further amendments (T) and recommitted to Correction; Print No. 3596B issued

Sponsors and Support

Primary sponsor: Assemblymember Eddie Gibbs
Cosponsors include: Sarahana Shrestha, Gabriella Romero, Andrew Hevesi, Zohran Mamdani, Catalina Cruz, Phara Souffrant Forrest, Latrice Walker, Michael Benedetto, Micah Lasher, Al Taylor, Karines Reyes, Harvey Epstein.

Related / Companion Legislation

  • Companion Senate bill: S439 (repeatedly listed as companion)
  • Prior-session related bills: A11317, S3138, S287, S2345

What the bill would do (based on title; full text not provided)

The exact statutory language of A3596/3596B was not included in the materials provided. Based on the bill title and common elements of “prison wage” legislation, the act would likely address some or all of the following (this list is illustrative, not a substitute for the bill text):
- Establishing a wage scale or minimum rate for work performed by incarcerated individuals in state or local correctional facilities.
- Defining allowable deductions from wages (e.g., victim restitution, child support, room and board, fines, fees, medical costs).
- Creating rules for escrow/savings accounts for release (release pay) and limits on commissary/prison store charges.
- Setting administrative responsibilities for correctional agencies (payroll, recordkeeping, reporting).
- Providing enforcement provisions, appeals, or remedies for wage disputes.
- Clarifying applicability (state prisons, county jails, work-release programs, contracted prison labor).

Who would be affected

  • Primary: People incarcerated in New York correctional facilities (state prisons, possibly local jails and facilities covered by the bill).
  • Secondary: Correctional agencies (NYSDOC or county correction departments), service contractors, victims (via restitution mechanisms), families of incarcerated individuals, and providers of prison commissary/phone services.

Potential impacts (general)

  • Increased or standardized income for incarcerated workers, which could improve ability to pay restitution, support families, or save for reentry.
  • Fiscal impacts on correctional budgets if wages are increased and not offset by deductions or program savings.
  • Administrative changes for corrections departments to implement payroll and recordkeeping systems.
  • Possible effects on contracts with private vendors that rely on low-cost incarcerated labor.

Notes & recommended next steps

  • The precise provisions, wage rates (if any), deduction formulas, and effective dates cannot be determined from the materials provided. For a definitive understanding, consult the bill text (A3596B) as filed with the Assembly Corrections Committee or the Legislative Retrieval System, and review companion Senate bill S439.
  • Watch for committee reports or fiscal notes that specify costs, effective dates, and implementation requirements.

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

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