Presented below are the Chapter’s legislative priorities for 2021. We advocate for the passage of the bills’ provisions as articulated under “what does the bill propose.”

(A01248/S854) Marijuana Regulation and Taxation Act
What does the bill propose:

  • The bill establishes a new Office for the Regulation of Cannabis, creating a regulated and taxed cannabis industry in New York.
  • A percentage of the tax revenue will be allocated to a community reinvestment grant program to help communities most impacted by the War on Drugs.
  • Reduces the criminalization of cannabis use for those who possess small amounts of unlicensed marijuana.
  • Promotes and supports sustainability of small businesses through a multi-tier licensing structure.
  • The bill states the Governor will appoint members to the newly formed Office of Cannabis Management to oversee the new industry.

Thus, we request:

  • The passage of both A01248/S854 in the Assembly and Senate for this legislative session.
  • One-third of the membership on the Office of Cannabis to be social workers.
    An amendment to expunge the criminal records for those charged with intent to distribute only marijuana.

 

The Climate and Community Investment Act (A new Senate and Assembly bill number has not yet been assigned)
What does the bill propose:

  • The bill places a tax on New York’s largest corporate polluters.
    An estimated $15 billion per year in revenue will be generated and used to transition to a green economy.
  • 30% of funds will go to communities most impacted by pollution/climate change.

Thus, we request:

  • More sponsors to be added for both the Assembly and Senate bills.
    The passage of the bill in both the Senate and Assembly for this legislative session.

 

(S1931 & A4987) Voting Rights
What does the bill propose:

  • Mandates the Department of Corrections must inform convicted felons of the restoration of their voting rights upon their release.
  • The Department of Corrections will assist with the application process and send the individual’s application directly to the state board or local board where the person lives, unless the individual declines.
  • The Department of Corrections will provide information from the Board of Elections on the importance and mechanics of voting to the individual.

Thus, we request:

  • The passage of S1931/A4987 in both the Senate and Assembly for this legislative session.

 

Less is More: Community Supervision Revocation Reform Act (S1144/Assembly bill number not yet assigned)
What does the bill propose:

  • The bill limits the use of incarceration as a repercussion for technical parole violations.
  • Individuals under community supervision will be entitled to a recognizance hearing in a local criminal court before being detained.
  • The individual will also be given a speedy hearing after their recognizance hearing.
  • The bill would allow those under community supervision to earn “time credits” for individuals to reduce their community supervision period.

Thus, we request:

  • The passage of Less is More in both the Senate and Assembly for this legislative session

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NASW-NYS CHAPTER  Position Paper/2021 Legislative Session 
S854-A1248/ Marijuana Regulation and Taxation Act (MRTA)   

Position:   THE NEW YORK STATE CHAPTER OF THE NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF SOCIAL WORKERS (NASW-NYS) STRONGLY SUPPORTS MRTA S854/A1248 BILL OVER THE CURRENT PROPOSED ARTICLE VII BILL “CANNABIS REGULATION AND TAXATION ACT” S02509/A03009 IN THE NYS BUDGET PROPOSAL. NASW-NYS ALSO STRONGLY SUPPORTS THE CONTINUED EFFORT TO ESTABLISH RACIAL JUSTICE AND ACTIVELY ADDRESS DISPARITIES IN DISENFRANCHISED COMMUNITY GROUPS.  

Furthermore, to improve this legislation and address the potentiality for racial disparities, the NASW-NYS strongly advises to amend current legislation to include the following recommendations:  

  • At least 1/3 of the board of the new Office of Cannabis Management (OCM) be social workers. Social workers are professionally trained to find and address inequities in policy and to create legislation that establishes equity and justice. Social workers are also uniquely positioned to be able to advocate with and on behalf of members of disenfranchised community groups.   
  • A task force of social workers and community activists should be permanently established within OCM that specifically addresses any future racial disparities, will investigate complaints of disparities within communities, and can make recommendations to the board with its findings.   
  • A percentage of funds made by the regulation and taxation of marijuana also be invested into communities disproportionately affected by the previous regulations on marijuana.   
  • Expunge the criminal records of individuals who distributed only marijuana prior to the law being changed. This addresses the racial disparities in former criminal prosecutions of intent to distribute marijuana and future opportunities to legally distribute marijuana.  

Click Here to Read the Full Position Paper

NASW-NYS CHAPTER  Position Paper/2021 Legislative Session  
Climate Community Investment Act (CCIA)  

Position:   THE NEW YORK STATE CHAPTER OF THE NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF SOCIAL WORKERS (NASW-NYS) STRONGLY SUPPORTS THIS BILL AND THE ADVANCEMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE FOR THE STATE, AS WELL AS THE COUNTRY.   

The CCIA adequately addresses both the health and economic disparities that impact communities of color due to pollution and climate change. This bill will reinvest in environmentally overburdened communities and will transition the state to 100% renewable economy by 2050.   

  • Communities below the poverty line have a 35% higher risk of negative life consequences from air pollution than those above the poverty line.  
  • Black communities have a 54% higher risk of negative health consequences related to air pollution (Sierra Club).  

Click Here to Read the Full Position Paper

 

NASW-NYS CHAPTER  Position Paper/2021 Legislative Session 
S 1144/ Less is More: Community Supervision Revocation Reform Act  

Position:   THE NEW YORK STATE CHAPTER OF THE NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF SOCIAL WORKERS (NASW-NYS) STRONGLY SUPPORTS PASSAGE OF THIS BILL WHICH WILL REDUCE JAIL AND PRISON POPULATIONS, SUPPORT REENTRY, AND STRENGTHEN THE REENTRY PROCESS FOR THOSE COMING HOME.   

Background  Right now, there are more than 5,000 people incarcerated in New York’s prisons and jails for non-criminal technical violations of parole -- like missing an appointment with a parole officer or being late for curfew. New York incarcerates more people for technical violations of parole than nearly every other state in the country. The racial disparities are stark: in state prisons, Black people are incarcerated at 5 times the rate of white people. And in New York City, Black people are incarcerated at Rikers for technical violations of parole at 12 times the rate of white people.   

Of people on parole whom New York sent back to prison in 2018, over 5,700 or 65% were reincarcerated for technical parole violations.  Nearly 1/3 of the new admissions to state prisons are due to people reincarcerated for technical violations of parole. Only 14% of people on parole who were reincarcerated were returned to prison because they were convicted of a new crime.  The racial disparity is stark: Black people are incarcerated in New York City jails for technical parole violations at more than 12 times the rate of whites.    

There are approximately 35,000 people under active parole supervision in New York State who at almost any time can see their efforts to successfully rejoin the workforce and reintegrate into their families and their communities disrupted by reincarceration for a technical violation. This not only harms individual lives and families without commensurate public safety gains, but also drives up the population in the state prisons and local jails, wasting taxpayer money.  

Click Here to Read the Full Position Paper


NASW-NYS CHAPTER  Position Paper 2021 Legislative Session 
A4448-S1931/ Voting Rights for Convicted Felons  

Position:  THE NEW YORK STATE CHAPTER OF THE NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF SOCIAL WORKERS (NASW-NYS) STRONGLY SUPPORTS THE PASSING OF A4448 AND S1931. THE NASW-NYS SUPPORTS THE BILLS’ INTENTION TO DISMANTLE FELONY DISENFRANCHISEMENT BY ENSURING CONVICTED FELONS ARE INFORMED OF THEIR RIGHT TO VOTE UPON RELEASE FROM PRISON.  

  • Voting is a fundamental right for every American.   
  • Many individuals who have been convicted of a crime and served their sentence do not vote as they are unaware of their eligibility.   
  • This bill promotes civil engagement by informing those leaving incarceration of their right to vote and assists in the registration process.   

Click Here to Read the Full Position Paper