S T A T E O F N E W Y O R K
________________________________________________________________________
1325
2025-2026 Regular Sessions
I N A S S E M B L Y
January 9, 2025
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Introduced by M. of A. SIMON, TAYLOR, FORREST, COLTON, KELLES, SHIMSKY,
GLICK, LEVENBERG, OTIS, RAGA, BURDICK, DAVILA, LEE -- Multi-Sponsored
by -- M. of A. CRUZ, EPSTEIN, HUNTER, LUPARDO, RA, REYES, SAYEGH,
WEPRIN -- read once and referred to the Committee on Correction
AN ACT to amend the correction law, in relation to a reading proficiency
level assessment and dyslexia screening for incarcerated individuals
THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK, REPRESENTED IN SENATE AND ASSEM-
BLY, DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS:
Section 1. The correction law is amended by adding a new section 137-a
to read as follows:
§ 137-A. READING PROFICIENCY LEVEL ASSESSMENT AND DYSLEXIA SCREENING.
1. AS PART OF THE INTAKE PROCESS, AN INCARCERATED INDIVIDUAL WHO DOES
NOT HAVE A HIGH SCHOOL DIPLOMA OR ITS EQUIVALENT SHALL RECEIVE A READING
PROFICIENCY LEVEL ASSESSMENT AND DYSLEXIA SCREENING ADMINISTERED BY THE
DEPARTMENT, PROVIDED HOWEVER, NOTHING IN THIS SECTION SHALL PRECLUDE THE
INCARCERATED INDIVIDUAL FROM COMPLETING A DEPARTMENT-PROVIDED SCREENING
THAT IS INTENDED TO BE SELF-ADMINISTERED. IF AN INCARCERATED INDIVIDUAL
DEMONSTRATES THAT SUCH INDIVIDUAL IS BELOW THE PROFICIENCY LEVEL
REQUIRED TO BE A HIGH-FUNCTIONING READER, SUCH INDIVIDUAL SHALL BE
PROVIDED WITH DYSLEXIA INTERVENTION THAT IS EVIDENCE-BASED, EFFECTIVE,
AND CONSISTENT WITH SCIENCE-BASED RESEARCH SPECIFICALLY TAILORED TO
ADDRESSING DYSLEXIA.
2. THE COMMISSIONER, IN CONSULTATION WITH THE COMMISSIONER OF EDUCA-
TION, SHALL PROMULGATE RULES AND REGULATIONS THAT REQUIRE, BUT ARE NOT
LIMITED TO THE FOLLOWING:
(A) TEACHERS AT ALL CORRECTIONAL FACILITIES SHALL HAVE AND DEMONSTRATE
AWARENESS OF THE BEST PRACTICES OF SCIENTIFIC READING INSTRUCTION;
(B) EACH INCARCERATED INDIVIDUAL WHO DOES NOT HAVE A HIGH SCHOOL
DIPLOMA OR ITS EQUIVALENT SHALL RECEIVE A READING PROFICIENCY LEVEL
ASSESSMENT AND A DYSLEXIA SCREENING; AND
EXPLANATION--Matter in ITALICS (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD01711-01-5
A. 1325 2
(C) A PROCESS BE ESTABLISHED IN WHICH INCARCERATED INDIVIDUALS, UPON
INTAKE, ARE ASSESSED AND ADMINISTERED A DYSLEXIA SCREENING BY THE
DEPARTMENT, AND PROVIDED WITH DYSLEXIA INTERVENTION BY THE DEPARTMENT
THAT IS EVIDENCE-BASED, EFFECTIVE, AND CONSISTENT WITH SCIENCE-BASED
RESEARCH SPECIFICALLY TAILORED TO ADDRESSING DYSLEXIA. THE DEPARTMENT
SHALL ENSURE THAT SUCH INTERVENTION SERVICES ARE PROVIDED BY LICENSED
PROFESSIONALS IN PERMANENT COMPETITIVE POSITIONS IN THE CLASSIFIED
SERVICE EMPLOYED BY THE DEPARTMENT.
3. EACH SUPERINTENDENT SHALL SUBMIT A PLAN TO THE DEPARTMENT THAT
ALLOWS INCARCERATED INDIVIDUALS TO VOLUNTARILY RECEIVE A READING PROFI-
CIENCY LEVEL ASSESSMENT, DYSLEXIA SCREENING, AND READING INSTRUCTION
THAT IS EVIDENCE-BASED, EFFECTIVE, AND CONSISTENT WITH SCIENCE-BASED
RESEARCH SPECIFICALLY TAILORED TO ADDRESSING DYSLEXIA.
§ 2. This act shall take effect on the ninetieth day after it shall
have become a law. Effective immediately the addition, amendment and/or
repeal of any rule or regulation necessary for the implementation of
this act on its effective date are authorized to be made and completed
on or before such date.