A Local Law to amend the New York city charter, in relation to creating a municipal division of transitional services

Int. No. 1150-A

By Council Members Johnson, The Speaker (Council Member Mark-Viverito), Chin, Dromm, Cohen, Van Bramer, Wills, Levin, Kallos and Ulrich

A Local Law to amend the New York city charter, in relation to creating a municipal division of transitional services

Be it enacted by the Council as follows:

Section 1. Chapter 1 of the New York city charter is amended by adding a new section 13-c to read as follows:

§ 13-c. Municipal division of transitional services. a. The mayor shall establish a municipal division of transitional services. Such division may, but need not, be established in the executive office of the mayor or as a separate division or within any other office of the mayor, or within any department the head of which is appointed by the mayor. Such division shall be headed by a coordinator who shall be appointed by the mayor or the head of such department. For the purposes of this section, “coordinator” shall mean the coordinator of the municipal division of transitional services.

b. Powers and duties. The division shall have the power and the duty to:

1. ensure, by such means as necessary, including coordination with relevant city agencies, the availability of effective reentry services to individuals residing in New York city who have been released from the custody of the New York city department of correction after having served a period of criminal incarceration or criminal detention and other individuals in need of reentry services that have served a period of criminal incarceration or criminal detention;

2. create a coordinated system for the administration of reentry services. Such system  shall ensure access to reentry services in areas where a substantial number of such individuals reside. To the extent that the coordinator deems appropriate, such system may also include integration and coordination with similar services provided by other city agencies, and existing facilities operated by city agencies may be utilized for the purpose of such integration and coordination;

3. administer contracts for the provision of reentry services as appropriate, and to the extent required by paragraph 1 of this subdivision, review the budget requests of all agencies for programs related to reentry services, and recommend to the mayor budget priorities among such services and assist the mayor in prioritizing such requests;

4. provide outreach and education on the availability of reentry services; and

5. perform other duties as the mayor may assign.

c. Annual progress report.  By October 31, 2017, and by October 31 of every year thereafter, the coordinator shall prepare and submit to the mayor and council a report of the activities of the division and its progress in ensuring the delivery of effective reentry services. Such report shall include the (i) populations served; (ii) types of programs created or provided and who created or provided such programs; (iii) geographic areas served; and (iv) outreach efforts. 

d. Biennial report. By October 31, 2017, and by October 31 of every second year thereafter, the coordinator shall prepare and submit to the mayor and the council a report of reentry services for those city residents who need such services. Such report shall include (i) an assessment of the reentry service needs of city residents, as well as the type and frequency of resources needed, including but not limited to matters concerning housing, health insurance, medical expenses and debts relating thereto, behavioral health treatment, personal finances, employment, job training, education, immigration, and public benefits, (ii) identification and assessment of the efficacy and capacity of existing reentry services available for city residents, and (iii) identification of the areas or populations within the city in which city residents with reentry service needs are concentrated and the corresponding availability of reentry services.

e. Four-year plan. Within one year after the completion of the first biennial report required by subdivision d of this section, and in every fourth calendar year thereafter, the coordinator shall prepare and submit to the mayor and the council a four-year plan for providing reentry services to those city residents who need such services. Such plan may include recommendations for approaches to serving city residents in need of reentry services, including the establishment of an initial point of access for individuals immediately upon their release from the custody of the department of correction in a location adjacent to Rikers Island or to the correctional facility that releases the most inmates daily. Such report and plan shall also identify obstacles to making such services available to all those who need them and describe what additional resources would be necessary to do so.

                     § 2. This local law takes effect 60 days after it becomes law.

BG/RC/BC/DA

LS 6510/2015

7/6/2016 5:30p