Senate Bill S1266

                            
                    S T A T E   O F   N E W   Y O R K
________________________________________________________________________

                                  1266

                       2009-2010 Regular Sessions

                            I N  S E N A T E

                            January 28, 2009
                               ___________

Introduced by Sens. MONTGOMERY, DILAN, DUANE, HASSELL-THOMPSON, KRUEGER,
  MONSERRATE,  ONORATO,  PARKER, SAMPSON, SAVINO, THOMPSON -- read twice
  and ordered printed, and when printed to be committed to the Committee
  on Elections

AN ACT to amend the  election  law,  the  criminal  procedure  law,  the
  correction  law  and  the  executive  law, in relation to enacting the
  "voting rights notification and registration act"

  THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK, REPRESENTED IN SENATE AND  ASSEM-
BLY, DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS:

  Section  1.  Short title.  This act shall be known and may be cited as
the "voting rights notification and registration act".
  S 2. The opening paragraph and subdivisions 2, 4, 5, 8, 12, 13 and  14
of section 5-211 of the election law, the opening paragraph and subdivi-
sion  14  as  amended by chapter 200 of the laws of 1996, subdivisions 2
and 8 as amended and subdivisions 4, 5, 12 and 13 as  added  by  chapter
659 of the laws of 1994, are amended to read as follows:
  Each  agency designated as a participating agency under the provisions
of this section shall implement and administer a program of distribution
of voter registration forms pursuant to the provisions of this  section.
The  following  offices  which  provide public assistance and/or provide
state funded programs primarily engaged in providing services to persons
with disabilities are hereby designated as voter registration  agencies:
designated as the state agencies which provide public assistance are the
department of social services and the department of health.  Also desig-
nated as public assistance agencies are all agencies of local government
that  provide  such assistance AND COUNTY PROBATION DEPARTMENTS.  Desig-
nated as state agencies  that  provide  programs  primarily  engaged  in
providing  services  to  people  with disabilities are the department of
labor, office for the aging, division of veterans'  affairs,  office  of
mental  health,  office of vocational and educational services for indi-
viduals with disabilities, commission on quality of care for the mental-

 EXPLANATION--Matter in ITALICS (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
                      [ ] is old law to be omitted.
                                                           LBD01479-01-9
              

S. 1266                             2

ly disabled, office of mental retardation  and  developmental  disabili-
ties,  commission  for  the  blind  and  visually handicapped, office of
alcoholism and substance abuse services, the office of the advocate  for
the  disabled  and  all offices which administer programs established or
funded by such agencies. Additional state agencies designated  as  voter
registration  offices  are  the department of state [and], the [division
of] workers' compensation BOARD, THE DIVISION OF PROBATION  AND  CORREC-
TIONAL ALTERNATIVES WHEN PROVIDING DIRECT PROBATION SUPERVISION SERVICES
UNDER  SECTION  TWO HUNDRED FORTY-SEVEN OF THE EXECUTIVE LAW. Such agen-
cies shall be required to offer voter registration forms to persons upon
initial  application  for  services,  renewal  or  recertification   for
services  [and], change of address relating to such services, AND ORIEN-
TATION OR INITIAL INTAKE FOR THE DIVISION OF PROBATION AND  CORRECTIONAL
ALTERNATIVES  AND COUNTY PROBATION DEPARTMENTS. Such agencies shall also
be responsible for providing assistance to [applicants] SUCH PERSONS  in
completing  voter  registration  forms,  receiving  and transmitting the
completed [application] REGISTRATION form from all [applicants]  PERSONS
who  wish  to  have  such  form  transmitted to the appropriate board of
elections. The state board of elections shall, together  with  represen-
tatives  of  the department of defense, develop and implement procedures
for including recruitment offices of the  armed  forces  of  the  United
States as voter registration offices when such offices are so designated
by  federal law.   The state board shall also make request of the United
States Immigration and Naturalization Service  to  include  applications
for registration by mail with any materials which are given to new citi-
zens.  All institutions of the state university of New York and the city
university  of New York, shall, at the beginning of the school year, and
again in January of a year in which the president of the  United  States
is  to  be  elected,  provide  an  application  for registration to each
student in each such institution.  The state board of elections may,  by
regulation,  grant  a waiver from any or all of the requirements of this
section to any office or program of an agency, if it determines that  it
is  not  feasible for such office or program to administer such require-
ment.
  2. Strict neutrality with respect to a person's party enrollment shall
be maintained and all  persons  seeking  voter  registration  forms  and
information  shall  be  advised  that government services are not condi-
tioned on being registered to vote. No statement shall be made  nor  any
action  taken  to  discourage the [applicant] PERSON from registering to
vote.
  4. Each participating agency shall provide to each [applicant]  PERSON
who  does  not decline to register to vote the same degree of assistance
with regard to the completion of the  VOTER  registration  [application]
form  as  is provided by the agency with regard to the completion of its
own form unless the [applicant] PERSON refuses such assistance.
  5. Employees of a voter registration agency who provide  voter  regis-
tration assistance shall not:
  (a) seek to influence [an applicant's] A PERSON'S political preference
or party designation;
  (b) display any political preference or party allegiance;
  (c)  make  any  statement  [to  an  applicant]  or take any action the
purpose or effect of which is to discourage  [the  applicant]  A  PERSON
from registering to vote; or
  (d)  make  any  statement  [to  an  applicant]  or take any action the
purpose or effect of which is  to  lead  [the  applicant]  A  PERSON  to

S. 1266                             3

believe  that  a decision to register or not to register has any bearing
on the availability of services or benefits.
  8.  Each  participating  agency,  department,  division or office that
makes available voter registration forms pursuant to this section  shall
offer with each application for the services or assistance of such agen-
cy,  department,  division  or  office,  OR,  IN  THE CASE OF THE COUNTY
PROBATION DEPARTMENTS AND THE DIVISION  OF  PROBATION  AND  CORRECTIONAL
ALTERNATIVES,  UPON  ORIENTATION OR INITIAL INTAKE, and with each recer-
tification, renewal or change of address form relating to  such  service
or  assistance,  a  VOTER  registration  form together with instructions
relating to eligibility to register and for completing the  form  except
that  forms  used  by  the department of social services for the initial
application for services, renewal or recertification  for  services  and
change of address relating to such services shall physically incorporate
a  voter  registration  [application] FORM in a fashion that permits the
voter registration portion of the agency form to be detached  therefrom.
Such  voter  registration  [application] FORM shall be designed so as to
ensure the confidentiality of the source of the application.    Included
on each participating agency's application for services or assistance or
on a separate form shall be:
  (a)  the  question,  "If you are not registered to vote where you live
now, would you like to apply to register here today?"
  (b) [The] THE statement, "applying to register or declining to  regis-
ter  to  vote  will not affect the amount of assistance that you will be
provided by this agency."
  (c) boxes for the applicant to check to indicate whether the applicant
would like to register or decline to register to vote.
  (d) the statement in prominent type, "IF YOU DO NOT CHECK EITHER  BOX,
YOU  WILL  BE CONSIDERED TO HAVE DECIDED NOT TO REGISTER TO VOTE AT THIS
TIME."
  (e) the statement, "If you would like help in filling  out  the  voter
registration  [application] form, we will help you. The decision whether
to seek or accept help is yours.   You may fill  out  the  [application]
VOTER REGISTRATION form in private."
  (f)  the  statement,  "If you believe that someone has interfered with
your right to register or decline to register to  vote,  your  right  to
privacy  in  deciding  whether to register or in applying to register to
vote, or your right to choose your own political party  or  other  poli-
tical  preference,  you  may  file  a  complaint with the state board of
elections (address and toll free telephone number)."
  (g) a toll free number at the state board of  elections  that  can  be
called for answers to registration questions.
  12. Completed [application] VOTER REGISTRATION forms, when received by
a  participating  agency  not later than the twenty-fifth day before the
next ensuing primary, general or special  election  and  transmitted  by
such  agency  to  the  appropriate  board  of elections so that they are
received by such board not later than  the  twentieth  day  before  such
election  shall  entitle the [applicant] PERSON to vote in such election
provided the board determines that the [applicant] PERSON  is  otherwise
qualified.
  13.  The  state  board  of elections shall provide [application] VOTER
REGISTRATION forms for use pursuant to  this  section  except  that  any
agency  which  uses  a  form  other than such registration form shall be
responsible for providing such form. Forms which vary in design [and or]
AND/OR content from the form approved by the state  board  of  elections
may only be used with the approval of such board.

S. 1266                             4

  14.  [Applications] VOTER REGISTRATION FORMS shall be processed by the
board of elections in the manner prescribed by  section  5-210  of  this
title  or,  if the [applicant] PERSON is already registered to vote from
another address in the county or  city,  in  the  manner  prescribed  by
section  5-208  of  this  title.    The board shall send the appropriate
notice of approval or rejection as required by either  subdivision  nine
of such section 5-210 or subdivision five of such section 5-208.
  S  3.    Section  220.50  of  the criminal procedure law is amended by
adding a new subdivision 8 to read as follows:
  8. PRIOR TO ACCEPTING A DEFENDANT'S PLEA  OF  GUILTY  TO  A  COUNT  OR
COUNTS OF AN INDICTMENT OR A SUPERIOR COURT INFORMATION CHARGING A FELO-
NY  OFFENSE FOR WHICH THE COURT WILL IMPOSE A SENTENCE OF INCARCERATION,
THE COURT MUST ADVISE THE DEFENDANT ON THE RECORD THAT  CONVICTION  WILL
RESULT  IN LOSS OF THE RIGHT TO VOTE UNTIL THE INDIVIDUAL HAS SERVED HIS
MAXIMUM SENTENCE OF INCARCERATION AND PAROLE.  THE FAILURE TO ADVISE THE
DEFENDANT PURSUANT TO THIS SUBDIVISION SHALL NOT BE DEEMED TO AFFECT THE
VOLUNTARINESS OF A PLEA OF GUILTY OR THE VALIDITY OF A CONVICTION.
  S 4. The criminal procedure law is amended by  adding  a  new  section
380.51 to read as follows:
S 380.51 STATEMENTS REGARDING VOTING RIGHTS.
  BEFORE  IMPOSING  A SENTENCE OF INCARCERATION FOR A FELONY CONVICTION,
THE COURT MUST ADVISE THE DEFENDANT ON THE RECORD  THAT  THE  CONVICTION
WILL  RESULT  IN  THE LOSS OF THE RIGHT TO VOTE UNTIL THE INDIVIDUAL HAS
SERVED HIS MAXIMUM SENTENCE OF INCARCERATION AND PAROLE.  THE FAILURE TO
ADVISE THE DEFENDANT PURSUANT TO THIS SECTION SHALL  NOT  BE  DEEMED  TO
AFFECT  THE  VOLUNTARINESS  OF  A  PLEA  OF  GUILTY OR THE VALIDITY OF A
CONVICTION.
  S 5. The correction law is amended by adding a new section 510 to read
as follows:
  S 510. VOTING BY QUALIFIED INMATES. 1. AT  THE  TIME  OF  THE  INITIAL
ORIENTATION OR INTAKE OF AN INMATE AT A LOCAL CORRECTIONAL FACILITY, THE
CHIEF ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICER OF SUCH LOCAL CORRECTIONAL FACILITY, OR HIS
OR  HER DESIGNEE, SHALL INFORM THE INMATE IN WRITING OF HIS OR HER RIGHT
TO APPLY TO REGISTER TO VOTE. IN ADDITION, SUCH NOTICE SHALL BE  PRINTED
IN  BLOCK  LETTERS AND POSTED IN A PROMINENT PLACE WHERE INMATES CONGRE-
GATE. SUCH POSTED NOTICE SHALL INCLUDE QUALIFICATIONS REQUIRED TO  EXER-
CISE THE RIGHT TO VOTE, AND THE AVAILABILITY AT THE CORRECTIONAL FACILI-
TY  OF  ASSISTANCE  TO APPLY TO REGISTER TO VOTE, TO REQUEST AN ABSENTEE
BALLOT APPLICATION, AND TO VOTE BY ABSENTEE BALLOT. SUCH CHIEF  ADMINIS-
TRATIVE  OFFICER, OR HIS OR HER DESIGNEE, SHALL ASSIST INMATES IN APPLY-
ING TO REGISTER TO VOTE IN THE SAME MANNER AND TO THE SAME EXTENT AS THE
AGENCIES LISTED IN SECTION 5-211 OF THE ELECTION LAW.
  2. ON AN ANNUAL BASIS, THIRTY DAYS BEFORE  EACH  PRIMARY  AND  GENERAL
ELECTION,  THE  CHIEF  ADMINISTRATIVE  OFFICER,  OR HIS OR HER DESIGNEE,
SHALL PROVIDE EACH INMATE WITH WRITTEN INFORMATION ABOUT  QUALIFICATIONS
AND  PROCEDURES  FOR  VOTING  BY ABSENTEE BALLOT AND SHALL MAKE ABSENTEE
BALLOT APPLICATIONS AVAILABLE TO ALL INMATES.
  IN THE EVENT THAT AN INMATE OF A LOCAL CORRECTIONAL FACILITY IS TEMPO-
RARILY ABSENT FROM SUCH FACILITY, INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO, INMATES
RECEIVING MEDICAL CARE AT A LOCAL HEALTH CARE FACILITY, THE  INFORMATION
REQUIRED UNDER THIS SECTION SHALL BE MAILED TO SUCH INMATE.
  S  6.  Section 8-406 of the election law, as amended by chapter 296 of
the laws of 1988, is amended to read as follows:
  S 8-406. Absentee ballots, delivery of. If the board shall  find  that
the  applicant  is a qualified voter of the election district containing
his residence as stated in his  statement  and  that  his  statement  is

S. 1266                             5

sufficient,  it shall, as soon as practicable after it shall have deter-
mined his right thereto, mail to him at an address designated by him, or
deliver to him, or to any person designated for such purpose in  writing
by  him,  at the office of the board, such an absentee voter's ballot or
set of ballots and an envelope therefor. If the ballot or ballots are to
be sent outside of the United States to a country other than  Canada  or
Mexico, such ballot or ballots shall be sent by air mail. However, if an
applicant  who  is  eligible  for  an absentee ballot is a resident of a
facility operated or licensed by, or  under  the  jurisdiction  of,  the
department  of  mental hygiene, or a resident of a facility defined as a
nursing home or residential health care facility  pursuant  to  subdivi-
sions  two  and  three  of section two thousand eight hundred one of the
public health law, or a resident of a hospital or other  facility  oper-
ated  by the Veteran's Administration of the United States, OR AN INMATE
OF A LOCAL CORRECTIONAL FACILITY AS DEFINED BY  SUBDIVISION  SIXTEEN  OF
SECTION  TWO  OF THE CORRECTION LAW, such absentee ballot need not be so
mailed or delivered to any such applicant but, may be delivered  to  the
voter  in the manner prescribed by section 8-407 of this [chapter] TITLE
if such facility is located in the county or city in which such voter is
eligible to vote.
  S 7. The section heading and subdivisions 1 and 3 of section 8-407  of
the  election  law,  the  section heading as added by chapter 296 of the
laws of 1988 and subdivisions 1 and 3 as amended by chapter 195  of  the
laws of 2001, are amended to read as follows:
  Voting  by residents of nursing homes, residential health care facili-
ties, facilities operated or licensed, or under the jurisdiction of, the
department of mental hygiene or hospitals or facilities operated by  the
Veteran's  Administration  of  the United States, OR BY INMATES OF LOCAL
CORRECTIONAL FACILITIES.
  1. The board of elections of a  county  or  city  in  which  there  is
located  at least one facility operated or licensed, or under the juris-
diction of, the department of mental hygiene, or a facility defined as a
nursing home or residential health care facility  pursuant  to  subdivi-
sions  two  and  three  of section two thousand eight hundred one of the
public health law or an adult care facility subject to the provisions of
title two of article seven of the social services law, or a hospital  or
other  facility  operated  by the Veteran's Administration of the United
States, OR A LOCAL  CORRECTIONAL  FACILITY  AS  DEFINED  BY  SUBDIVISION
SIXTEEN  OF  SECTION TWO OF THE CORRECTION LAW, shall provide that resi-
dents OR INMATES of each such facility for which such board has received
[twenty-five] FIFTEEN or more applications  for  absentee  ballots  from
voters who are eligible to vote by absentee ballot in such city or coun-
ty  at  such  election,  may  vote by absentee ballot only in the manner
provided for in this section. Such board may, in its discretion, provide
that the procedure described in this subdivision shall be applicable  to
all  such facilities in such county or city without regard to the number
of absentee ballot applications received from the residents of any  such
facility.
  3.  Not earlier than thirteen days before or later than the day before
such an election such a board of inspectors shall, between the hours  of
nine  o'clock  in the morning and five o'clock in the evening, attend at
each such facility for the residents OR INMATES of which  the  board  of
elections  has custody of [twenty-five] FIFTEEN or more absentee ballots
or, if the board of elections has so provided, each  such  facility  for
which the board has custody of one or more such absentee ballots, pursu-
ant to the provisions of this chapter.

S. 1266                             6

  S  8. The correction law is amended by adding a new section 75 to read
as follows:
  S 75. VOTING RIGHTS UPON COMPLETION OF SENTENCE. 1. UPON THE DISCHARGE
FROM  A  CORRECTIONAL  FACILITY OF ANY PERSON WHO HAS REACHED HIS OR HER
MAXIMUM SENTENCE OF IMPRISONMENT FOR THE CONVICTION  OF  A  FELONY,  THE
DEPARTMENT, AND, SUBJECT TO THEIR AGREEMENT, FEDERAL CORRECTIONAL INSTI-
TUTIONS  IN  NEW  YORK,  SHALL NOTIFY SUCH PERSON OF HIS OR HER RIGHT TO
VOTE, PROVIDE SUCH PERSON WITH A FORM OF APPLICATION FOR VOTER REGISTRA-
TION TOGETHER WITH WRITTEN  INFORMATION  DISTRIBUTED  BY  THE  BOARD  OF
ELECTIONS ON THE IMPORTANCE AND THE MECHANICS OF VOTING AND SHALL ASSIST
SUCH  PERSON  IN  REGISTERING TO VOTE IN THE SAME MANNER AND TO THE SAME
EXTENT AS THE AGENCIES LISTED IN SECTION 5-211 OF THE ELECTION LAW.
  2. THE DEPARTMENT AND, SUBJECT TO THEIR AGREEMENT, FEDERAL CORRECTION-
AL INSTITUTIONS IN NEW YORK, SHALL, ON OR BEFORE THE  FIFTEENTH  DAY  OF
EACH  MONTH,  TRANSMIT TO THE STATE BOARD OF ELECTIONS A LIST CONTAINING
THE FOLLOWING INFORMATION ABOUT  PERSONS  AGE  EIGHTEEN  OR  OLDER  WHO,
DURING  THE  PRECEDING  PERIOD,  HAVE BECOME ELIGIBLE TO VOTE BECAUSE OF
THEIR DISCHARGE FROM INCARCERATION: (A) NAME; (B)  DATE  OF  BIRTH;  (C)
LAST  KNOWN  ADDRESS  WITH COUNTY OF RESIDENCE; AND (D) DRIVER'S LICENSE
NUMBER (IF KNOWN) OR LAST FOUR DIGITS  OF  SOCIAL  SECURITY  NUMBER  (IF
KNOWN).
  S  9.  The  executive law is amended by adding a new section 259-jj to
read as follows:
  S 259-JJ. VOTING RIGHTS UPON DISCHARGE. 1. UPON DISCHARGE OF A  PERSON
FROM  PRESUMPTIVE  RELEASE,  PAROLE, OR CONDITIONAL RELEASE, OR UPON THE
EXPIRATION OF A PERSON'S MAXIMUM SENTENCE OF  IMPRISONMENT  WHILE  UNDER
THE  SUPERVISION OF THE DIVISION OF PAROLE, THE DIVISION OF PAROLE SHALL
NOTIFY SUCH PERSON OF HIS OR HER RIGHT TO VOTE, PROVIDE SUCH PERSON WITH
A FORM OF APPLICATION  FOR  VOTER  REGISTRATION  TOGETHER  WITH  WRITTEN
INFORMATION  DISTRIBUTED BY THE BOARD OF ELECTIONS ON THE IMPORTANCE AND
THE MECHANICS OF VOTING AND SHALL ASSIST SUCH PERSON IN  REGISTERING  TO
VOTE IN THE SAME MANNER AND TO THE SAME EXTENT AS THE AGENCIES LISTED IN
SECTION 5-211 OF THE ELECTION LAW.
  2.  THE  DIVISION  OF  PAROLE SHALL, ON OR BEFORE THE FIFTEENTH DAY OF
EACH MONTH, TRANSMIT TO THE STATE BOARD OF ELECTIONS A  LIST  CONTAINING
THE  FOLLOWING  INFORMATION  ABOUT  PERSONS  AGE  EIGHTEEN OR OLDER WHO,
DURING THE PRECEDING PERIOD, HAVE BECOME ELIGIBLE  TO  VOTE  BECAUSE  OF
THEIR DISCHARGE FROM PRESUMPTIVE RELEASE, PAROLE OR CONDITIONAL RELEASE,
OR  UPON  THE EXPIRATION OF THEIR MAXIMUM SENTENCE OF IMPRISONMENT WHILE
UNDER THE SUPERVISION OF THE DIVISION OF PAROLE: (A) NAME; (B)  DATE  OF
BIRTH; (C) LAST KNOWN ADDRESS WITH COUNTY OF RESIDENCE; AND (D) DRIVER'S
LICENSE  NUMBER (IF KNOWN) OR LAST FOUR DIGITS OF SOCIAL SECURITY NUMBER
(IF KNOWN).
  S 10. Section 5-614 of the election law is amended by adding three new
subdivisions 6-a, 6-b and 6-c to read as follows:
  6-A. ONCE EVERY MONTH, AND WITHIN FIVE  DAYS  OF  RECEIPT,  THE  STATE
BOARD  OF  ELECTIONS  SHALL  OBTAIN  AND  TRANSMIT  TO  LOCAL  BOARDS OF
ELECTIONS THE INFORMATION PROVIDED BY  THE  DEPARTMENT  OF  CORRECTIONAL
SERVICES  PURSUANT  TO  SUBDIVISION  TWO  OF SECTION SEVENTY-FIVE OF THE
CORRECTION LAW, AND BY THE DIVISION OF PAROLE  PURSUANT  TO  SUBDIVISION
TWO OF SECTION TWO HUNDRED FIFTY-NINE-JJ OF THE EXECUTIVE LAW.
  6-B.  EACH  LOCAL  BOARD  OF ELECTIONS SHALL USE SUCH LIST, WITHIN TEN
DAYS AFTER RECEIPT, TO ENSURE THAT THERE ARE NO  REMAINING  BARRIERS  TO
REGISTRATION,  INCLUDING  THE  USE OF ELECTRONIC CODES OR OTHER FORMS OF
ELIGIBILITY DEMARCATION, RESULTING FROM PAST CONVICTIONS OF  THE  PEOPLE
SO LISTED.

S. 1266                             7

  6-C.    ANY VOTER REGISTRATION APPLICATION THAT WAS REJECTED AFTER THE
EFFECTIVE DATE OF THIS  SUBDIVISION  AND  PRIOR  TO  THE  LOCAL  BOARD'S
RECEIPT  AND  PROCESSING  OF  THE  INFORMATION DESCRIBED IN SUBDIVISIONS
SIX-A AND SIX-B OF THIS SECTION SHALL BE REVIEWED UPON RECEIPT AND PROC-
ESSING  OF SUCH INFORMATION. ANY APPLICANT THAT IS FOUND TO BE ELIGIBLE,
SHALL BE APPROVED AND THE VOTER SHALL BE REGISTERED AND SO NOTIFIED.
  S 11. The election law is amended by adding a new section  3-102-a  to
read as follows:
  S  3-102-A.  STATE  BOARD OF ELECTIONS; DUTIES UNDER THE VOTING RIGHTS
NOTIFICATION AND REGISTRATION ACT.   1. THE  STATE  BOARD  OF  ELECTIONS
SHALL  DEVELOP  AND  IMPLEMENT  A  PROGRAM TO EDUCATE ATTORNEYS; JUDGES;
ELECTION  OFFICIALS;  CORRECTIONS  OFFICIALS,   INCLUDING   PAROLE   AND
PROBATION  OFFICERS; AND MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC ABOUT THE REQUIREMENTS OF
THE VOTING RIGHTS NOTIFICATION AND REGISTRATION ACT, ENSURING THAT:
  (A) JUDGES ARE INFORMED OF THEIR OBLIGATION TO NOTIFY CRIMINAL DEFEND-
ANTS OF THE POTENTIAL LOSS AND RESTORATION OF THEIR  VOTING  RIGHTS,  IN
ACCORDANCE  WITH  SUBDIVISION EIGHT OF SECTION 220.50 AND SECTION 380.51
OF THE CRIMINAL PROCEDURE LAW;
  (B) THE DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONAL  SERVICES  AND,  SUBJECT  TO  THEIR
AGREEMENT,  FEDERAL  CORRECTIONAL INSTITUTIONS IN NEW YORK, ARE PREPARED
TO ASSIST PEOPLE TO REGISTER TO VOTE IN ANTICIPATION OF THEIR  DISCHARGE
FROM INCARCERATION, INCLUDING BY FORWARDING THEIR COMPLETED VOTER REGIS-
TRATION FORMS TO THE LOCAL ELECTION BOARDS;
  (C)  THE  DEPARTMENT  OF  CORRECTIONAL  SERVICES AND, SUBJECT TO THEIR
AGREEMENT, FEDERAL CORRECTIONAL INSTITUTIONS IN NEW YORK, AND THE  DIVI-
SION OF PAROLE, ARE PREPARED TO TRANSMIT TO THE STATE BOARD OF ELECTIONS
THE  INFORMATION SPECIFIED IN SUBDIVISION TWO OF SECTION SEVENTY-FIVE OF
THE  CORRECTION  LAW  AND  SUBDIVISION  TWO  OF  SECTION   TWO   HUNDRED
FIFTY-NINE-JJ OF THE EXECUTIVE LAW;
  (D)  LOCAL  CORRECTIONAL  FACILITIES  ARE PREPARED TO ASSIST PEOPLE TO
REGISTER TO VOTE INCLUDING BY FORWARDING THEIR COMPLETED VOTER REGISTRA-
TION FORMS, ABSENTEE BALLOT APPLICATIONS AND COMPLETED ABSENTEE  BALLOTS
TO THE LOCAL ELECTION BOARDS;
  (E)  PROBATION  AND PAROLE OFFICERS ARE INFORMED OF THE CHANGES IN THE
LAW AND ARE PREPARED TO NOTIFY PROBATIONERS AND PAROLEES OF THEIR VOTING
RIGHTS;
  (F) THE LANGUAGE ON VOTER REGISTRATION FORMS MAKES CLEAR  THAT  PEOPLE
ARE  DISQUALIFIED  FROM  VOTING ONLY WHILE THEY ARE SERVING SENTENCES OF
INCARCERATION OR PAROLE ON FELONY CONVICTIONS AND THAT THEY  REGAIN  THE
RIGHT TO REGISTER TO VOTE UPON COMPLETION OF THEIR MAXIMUM SENTENCE;
  (G) ALL LOCAL BOARDS OF ELECTIONS ARE PREPARED TO RESTORE NAMES TO THE
COMPUTERIZED  STATEWIDE  VOTER  REGISTRATION  LIST  IN  ACCORDANCE  WITH
SECTION 5-614 OF THE ELECTION LAW; AND
  (H) ACCURATE AND COMPLETE  INFORMATION  ABOUT  THE  VOTING  RIGHTS  OF
PEOPLE  WHO HAVE BEEN CHARGED WITH OR CONVICTED OF CRIMES IS MADE AVAIL-
ABLE THROUGH A  SINGLE  PUBLICATION  TO  GOVERNMENT  OFFICIALS  AND  THE
PUBLIC.
  2.  THE  STATE  BOARD OF ELECTIONS SHALL AMEND OR PROMULGATE PERTINENT
RULES AND REGULATIONS AS NECESSARY TO IMPLEMENT THIS SECTION.
  S 12. This act shall take effect on the ninetieth day after  it  shall
have become a law.