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S08567 Summary:

BILL NOS08567
 
SAME ASNo Same As
 
SPONSORGRIFFO
 
COSPNSR
 
MLTSPNSR
 
Amd §§220.10, 220.15, 220.60, 300.10, 330.10 & 330.20, CP L; amd §§10.03, 10.05, 10.06, 10.07 & 67.08, Ment Hyg L; add §60.38, Pen L
 
Redefines culpability from not responsible by reason of mental disease or defect to responsible but for mental disease or defect; amends the procedures to be followed following a verdict or plea of responsible but for mental disease or defect; establishes maximum and minimum terms for persons sentenced upon such a verdict or plea.
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S08567 Text:



 
                STATE OF NEW YORK
        ________________________________________________________________________
 
                                          8567
 
                               2025-2026 Regular Sessions
 
                    IN SENATE
 
                                    November 7, 2025
                                       ___________
 
        Introduced  by  Sen.  GRIFFO -- read twice and ordered printed, and when
          printed to be committed to the Committee on Rules
 
        AN ACT to amend the criminal procedure law, the mental hygiene  law  and
          the  penal  law,  in relation to persons who enter a plea or are found
          responsible but for mental disease or defect

          The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and  Assem-
        bly, do enact as follows:
 
     1    Section  1.  Subdivision 6 of section 220.10 of the criminal procedure
     2  law, as added by chapter 548 of the laws of 1980, is amended to read  as
     3  follows:
     4    6.  The  defendant  may, with both the permission of the court and the
     5  consent of the people, enter a plea of [not] responsible [by reason  of]
     6  but  for  mental  disease  or  defect  to  the  indictment in the manner
     7  prescribed in section 220.15 of this [chapter] article.
     8    § 2. Section 220.15 of the criminal procedure law, as added by chapter
     9  548 of the laws of 1980, subdivisions 1, 2 and 5 as amended  by  chapter
    10  668 of the laws of 1984, is amended to read as follows:
    11  §  220.15  Plea; plea of [not] responsible [by reason of] but for mental
    12             disease or defect.
    13    1. The defendant may, with both the permission of the  court  and  the
    14  consent  of the people, enter a plea of [not] responsible [by reason of]
    15  but for mental disease or defect to the entire indictment. The  district
    16  attorney  must  state  to  the court either orally on the record or in a
    17  writing filed with the court that the people consent  to  the  entry  of
    18  such plea and that the people are satisfied that the affirmative defense
    19  of lack of criminal responsibility by reason of mental disease or defect
    20  would  be  proven  by the defendant at a trial by a preponderance of the
    21  evidence.    The district attorney must further state to  the  court  in
    22  detail  the evidence available to the people with respect to the offense
    23  or  offenses  charged  in  the  indictment,  including  all  psychiatric
    24  evidence  available or known to the people.  If necessary, the court may
 
         EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
                              [ ] is old law to be omitted.
                                                                   LBD13957-01-5

        S. 8567                             2
 
     1  conduct a hearing before accepting such plea.    The  district  attorney
     2  must  further state to the court the reasons for recommending such plea.
     3  The reasons shall be stated in detail and not in conclusory terms.
     4    2.  Counsel  for the defendant must state that in [his] such counsel's
     5  opinion defendant has the capacity to understand the proceedings and  to
     6  assist  in  [his]  such  defendant's  own defense and that the defendant
     7  understands the consequences of a plea of not responsible [by reason of]
     8  but for mental disease or  defect.    Counsel  for  the  defendant  must
     9  further  state whether in [his] such counsel's opinion defendant has any
    10  viable defense to the offense or  offenses  charged  in  the  indictment
    11  other than the affirmative defense of lack of criminal responsibility by
    12  reason  of  mental  disease or defect.    Counsel for the defendant must
    13  further state in  detail  the  psychiatric  evidence  available  to  the
    14  defendant with respect to such latter affirmative defense.
    15    3.    Before  accepting a plea of [not] responsible [by reason of] but
    16  for mental disease or defect, the court must address  the  defendant  in
    17  open  court  and  determine that [he] such defendant understands each of
    18  the following:
    19    (a)  The nature of the charge to which the plea is  offered,  and  the
    20  consequences of such plea;
    21    (b)   That [he] such defendant has the right to plead not guilty or to
    22  persist in that plea if it has already been entered;
    23    (c)  That [he] such defendant has the right to be tried by a jury, the
    24  right to the assistance of counsel, the right to confront and cross-exa-
    25  mine witnesses against [him] such defendant, and the  right  not  to  be
    26  compelled to incriminate [himself] themself;
    27    (d)    That if [he] such defendant pleads [not] responsible [by reason
    28  of] but for mental disease or defect there will be no trial with respect
    29  to the charges contained in the indictment, so  that  by  offering  such
    30  plea [he] such defendant waives the right to such trial;
    31    (e)    That if [he] such defendant pleads [not] responsible [by reason
    32  of] but for mental disease or defect  the  court  will  ask  [him]  such
    33  defendant questions about the offense or offenses charged in the indict-
    34  ment  and that [he] such defendant will thereby waive [his] such defend-
    35  ant's right not to be compelled to incriminate [himself] themself; and
    36    (f)  That the acceptance of a plea of [not] responsible [by reason of]
    37  but for mental disease or defect is the equivalent of a verdict of [not]
    38  responsible [by reason of] but for mental disease or defect after trial.
    39    4.  The court shall not accept a plea of [not] responsible [by  reason
    40  of]  but  for  mental  disease  or defect without first determining that
    41  there is a factual basis for such plea.   The  court  must  address  the
    42  defendant personally in open court and determine that the plea is volun-
    43  tary, knowingly made, and not the result of force, threats, or promises.
    44  The  court  must  inquire  whether  the defendant's willingness to plead
    45  results from prior discussions between the district attorney and counsel
    46  for the defendant.   The court must  be  satisfied  that  the  defendant
    47  understands the proceedings against [him] such defendant, has sufficient
    48  capacity to assist in [his] such defendant's own defense and understands
    49  the  consequences  of a plea of [not] responsible [by reason of] but for
    50  mental disease or defect.  The court may make such inquiry as  it  deems
    51  necessary  or  appropriate  for the purpose of making the determinations
    52  required by this section.
    53    5.  Before accepting a plea of [not] responsible [by  reason  of]  but
    54  for  mental disease or defect, the court must find and state each of the
    55  following on the record in detail and not in conclusory terms:

        S. 8567                             3
 
     1    (a)  That it is satisfied that each element of the offense or offenses
     2  charged in the indictment would be established beyond a reasonable doubt
     3  at a trial;
     4    (b)    That the affirmative defense of lack of criminal responsibility
     5  by reason of mental disease or defect would be proven by  the  defendant
     6  at a trial by a preponderance of the evidence;
     7    (c)  That the defendant has the capacity to understand the proceedings
     8  against [him] such defendant and to assist in [his] such defendant's own
     9  defense;
    10    (d)  That such plea by the defendant is knowingly and voluntarily made
    11  and that there is a factual basis for the plea;
    12    (e)    That the acceptance of such plea is required in the interest of
    13  the public in the effective administration of justice.
    14    6.  When a plea of [not] responsible [by reason  of]  but  for  mental
    15  disease  or  defect  is  accepted  by  the  court  and recorded upon the
    16  minutes, the provisions of section 330.20 of this [chapter] title  shall
    17  govern all subsequent proceedings against the defendant.
    18    §  3. Subdivisions 2 and 3 of section 220.60 of the criminal procedure
    19  law, subdivision 2 as amended by chapter 1  of  the  laws  of  1995  and
    20  subdivision 3 as amended by chapter 548 of the laws of 1980, are amended
    21  to read as follows:
    22    2.  A  defendant who has entered a plea of not guilty to an indictment
    23  may, with both the permission of  the  court  and  the  consent  of  the
    24  people, withdraw such plea at any time before the rendition of a verdict
    25  and  enter:  (a)  a plea of guilty to part of the indictment pursuant to
    26  subdivision three or four but subject to the limitation  in  subdivision
    27  five of section 220.10 of this article, or (b) a plea of [not] responsi-
    28  ble  [by  reason  of] but for mental disease or defect to the indictment
    29  pursuant to section 220.15 of this [chapter] article.
    30    3. At any time before the imposition of sentence,  the  court  in  its
    31  discretion  may  permit  a defendant who has entered a plea of guilty to
    32  the entire indictment or to part of the indictment, or a plea  of  [not]
    33  responsible [by reason of] but for mental disease or defect, to withdraw
    34  such plea, and in such event the entire indictment, as it existed at the
    35  time of such plea, is restored.
    36    §  4.  Subdivision  3  and  paragraph  (d) of subdivision 4 of section
    37  300.10 of the criminal procedure law, subdivision 3 as amended by  chap-
    38  ter  668  of  the  laws  of  1984  and paragraph (d) of subdivision 4 as
    39  amended by chapter 548 of the laws of  1980,  are  amended  to  read  as
    40  follows:
    41    3.  Where  a  defendant  has raised the affirmative defense of lack of
    42  criminal responsibility by  reason  of  mental  disease  or  defect,  as
    43  defined in section 40.15 of the penal law, the court must, without elab-
    44  oration,  instruct the jury as follows: "A jury during its deliberations
    45  must never consider or speculate  concerning  matters  relating  to  the
    46  consequences  of  its  verdict.  However,  because of the lack of common
    47  knowledge regarding the consequences of a verdict of  [not]  responsible
    48  [by  reason  of]  but for mental disease or defect, I charge you that if
    49  this verdict is rendered by you there will be hearings as to the defend-
    50  ant's present  mental  condition  and,  where  appropriate,  involuntary
    51  commitment proceedings."
    52    (d)    Where appropriate, ["not responsible by reason of] "responsible
    53  but for mental disease or defect."
    54    § 5.  Subdivision 2 of section 330.10 of the criminal  procedure  law,
    55  as  amended  by  chapter  548 of the laws of 1980, is amended to read as
    56  follows:

        S. 8567                             4
 
     1    2.  Upon a verdict of [not] responsible [by reason of] but for  mental
     2  disease  or  defect,  the provisions of section 330.20 of this [chapter]
     3  article shall govern all subsequent proceedings against the defendant.
     4    § 6. Section 330.20 of the criminal procedure law, as added by chapter
     5  548  of  the  laws  of  1980, paragraphs (a) and (b) of subdivision 1 as
     6  amended by chapter 672 of the laws of 2019, paragraph (d) of subdivision
     7  1 and the opening paragraph of subdivision 2 as amended by  chapter  479
     8  of  the  laws of 2022, paragraph (o) of subdivision 1, the closing para-
     9  graph of subdivision 2 and subdivisions 7-a and 22 as amended by chapter
    10  107 of the laws of 2004, subdivisions 2 and 20 as amended by chapter 693
    11  of the laws of 1989, subdivision 2-a as added by chapter 1 of  the  laws
    12  of 2013, subdivisions 5, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13 and 14 as amended by chap-
    13  ter  789  of the laws of 1985, subdivision 21 as added by chapter 976 of
    14  the laws of 1983 and subparagraph (ii) of paragraph (a)  of  subdivision
    15  21  as amended by chapter 330 of the laws of 1993, is amended to read as
    16  follows:
    17  § 330.20 Procedure following verdict or plea of  [not]  responsible  [by
    18               reason of] but for mental disease or defect.
    19    1.  Definition  of terms. As used in this section, the following terms
    20  shall have the following meanings:
    21    (a) "Commissioner" means the state commissioner of  mental  health  or
    22  the state commissioner of the office for people with developmental disa-
    23  bilities.
    24    (b)  "Secure  facility"  means  a  facility within the state office of
    25  mental health or the state office for people with developmental disabil-
    26  ities which is staffed with personnel  adequately  trained  in  security
    27  methods and is so equipped as to minimize the risk or danger of escapes,
    28  and which has been so specifically designated by the commissioner.
    29    (c)  "Dangerous mental disorder" means: (i) that a defendant currently
    30  suffers from a "mental illness" as that term is defined  in  subdivision
    31  twenty  of section 1.03 of the mental hygiene law, and (ii) that because
    32  of such condition [he] such defendant currently constitutes  a  physical
    33  danger to [himself] themself or others.
    34    (d)  "Mentally  ill"  means  that a defendant currently suffers from a
    35  mental illness for which care and treatment as a patient, in the  in-pa-
    36  tient  services  of  a  psychiatric center under the jurisdiction of the
    37  state office of mental health, is essential to such defendant's  welfare
    38  and  that  [his  or  her]  their  judgment is so impaired that [he] such
    39  defendant is unable to understand the need for such care and  treatment;
    40  and, where a defendant has a developmental disability, the term "mental-
    41  ly  ill" shall also mean, for purposes of this section, that the defend-
    42  ant is in need of care and treatment as a  resident  in  the  in-patient
    43  services  of  a  developmental  center or other residential facility for
    44  individuals with developmental disabilities under  the  jurisdiction  of
    45  the state office for people with developmental disabilities.
    46    (e)  "Examination  order"  means an order directed to the commissioner
    47  requiring that a defendant submit to a psychiatric examination to deter-
    48  mine whether the defendant has a dangerous mental disorder, or  if  [he]
    49  such  defendant  does not have a dangerous mental disorder, whether [he]
    50  such defendant is mentally ill.
    51    (f) "Commitment order" or "recommitment order" means an order  commit-
    52  ting a defendant to the custody of the commissioner for confinement in a
    53  secure  facility for care and treatment [for six months from the date of
    54  the order].
    55    (g) "First retention order" means an order which is effective [at  the
    56  expiration  of  the period prescribed in a commitment order for a recom-

        S. 8567                             5

     1  mitment order, authorizing continued  custody  of  a  defendant  by  the
     2  commissioner  for  a  period not to exceed one year] after the defendant
     3  has served the minimum period of imprisonment imposed  at  the  time  of
     4  sentencing.
     5    (h)  "Second retention order" means an order which is effective at the
     6  expiration of the period prescribed in a first retention order,  author-
     7  izing  continued custody of a defendant by the commissioner for a period
     8  not to exceed two years.
     9    (i) "Subsequent retention order" means an order which is effective  at
    10  the expiration of the period prescribed in a second retention order or a
    11  prior  subsequent  retention  order  authorizing  continued custody of a
    12  defendant by the commissioner for a period not to exceed two years.
    13    (j)  "Retention  order"  means  a  first  retention  order,  a  second
    14  retention order or a subsequent retention order.
    15    (k)  "Furlough  order"  means  an  order directing the commissioner to
    16  allow a defendant in confinement pursuant to a commitment order,  recom-
    17  mitment order or retention order to temporarily leave the facility for a
    18  period  not exceeding fourteen days, either with or without the constant
    19  supervision of one or more employees of the facility.
    20    (l) "Transfer order" means an  order  directing  the  commissioner  to
    21  transfer  a  defendant  from  a secure facility to a non-secure facility
    22  under the jurisdiction of the commissioner or to any non-secure facility
    23  designated by the commissioner.
    24    (m) "Release order" means  an  order  directing  the  commissioner  to
    25  terminate  a  defendant's  in-patient  status  without  terminating  the
    26  commissioner's responsibility for the defendant.
    27    (n) "Discharge order" means an order terminating an  order  of  condi-
    28  tions  or unconditionally discharging a defendant from supervision under
    29  the provisions of this section.
    30    (o) "Order of conditions" means an  order  directing  a  defendant  to
    31  comply with this prescribed treatment plan, or any other condition which
    32  the  court determines to be reasonably necessary or appropriate, and, in
    33  addition, where a defendant is in custody of the  commissioner,  not  to
    34  leave  the  facility  without  authorization. In addition to such condi-
    35  tions, when determined to be reasonably  necessary  or  appropriate,  an
    36  order  of conditions may be accompanied by a special order of conditions
    37  set forth in a separate document requiring that the defendant: (i)  stay
    38  away  from  the  home,  school,  business  or place of employment of the
    39  victim or victims, or of any witness designated by the  court,  of  such
    40  offense;  or  (ii)  refrain from harassing, intimidating, threatening or
    41  otherwise interfering with the victim or victims of the offense and such
    42  members of the family or household of such victim or victims as shall be
    43  specifically named by the court in  such  special  order.  An  order  of
    44  conditions  or special order of conditions shall be valid for five years
    45  from the date of its issuance, except that, for good  cause  shown,  the
    46  court may extend the period for an additional five years.
    47    (p) "District attorney" means the office which prosecuted the criminal
    48  action  resulting in the verdict or plea of [not] responsible [by reason
    49  of] but for mental disease or defect.
    50    (q) "Qualified psychiatrist" means a physician who (i) is a  diplomate
    51  of  the  American board of psychiatry and neurology or is eligible to be
    52  certified by that board; or (ii) is certified by the American osteopath-
    53  ic board of neurology and psychiatry or is eligible to be  certified  by
    54  that board.
    55    (r)  "Licensed  psychologist"  means  a  person who is registered as a
    56  psychologist under article one hundred fifty-three of the education law.

        S. 8567                             6
 
     1    (s)  "Psychiatric  examiner"  means  a  qualified  psychiatrist  or  a
     2  licensed  psychologist  who  has  been designated by the commissioner to
     3  examine a defendant pursuant to this section, and such designee need not
     4  be an employee of the department of mental hygiene.
     5    2.  Examination order; psychiatric examiners.  Upon entry of a verdict
     6  of [not] responsible [by reason of] but for mental disease or defect, or
     7  upon the acceptance of a plea of [not] responsible [by  reason  of]  but
     8  for  mental disease or defect, the court must immediately issue an exam-
     9  ination order. Upon receipt of such order, the commissioner must  desig-
    10  nate  two  qualified psychiatric examiners to conduct the examination to
    11  examine the defendant. In conducting their examination, the  psychiatric
    12  examiners may employ any method which is accepted by the medical profes-
    13  sion  for  the  examination  of  persons  alleged to be suffering from a
    14  dangerous mental disorder or to be mentally ill  or  having  a  develop-
    15  mental  disability.  The  court may authorize a psychiatrist or psychol-
    16  ogist retained by a defendant to be present  at  such  examination.  The
    17  clerk of the court must promptly forward a copy of the examination order
    18  to  the  mental  hygiene  legal  service and such service may thereafter
    19  participate in all subsequent proceedings under this section.
    20    In all subsequent proceedings under this section, prior to  the  issu-
    21  ance  of a special order of conditions, the court shall consider whether
    22  any order of protection had been issued prior  to  a  verdict  of  [not]
    23  responsible [by reason of] but for mental disease or defect in the case,
    24  or prior to the acceptance of a plea of [not] responsible [by reason of]
    25  but for mental disease or defect in the case.
    26    2-a.  Firearm,  rifle  or  shotgun  surrender  order.  Upon entry of a
    27  verdict of [not] responsible [by reason of] but for  mental  disease  or
    28  defect, or upon the acceptance of a plea of [not] responsible [by reason
    29  of] but for mental disease or defect, or upon a finding that the defend-
    30  ant  is an incapacitated person pursuant to article seven hundred thirty
    31  of this chapter, the court shall revoke the defendant's firearm license,
    32  if any, inquire of the defendant as to the existence and location of any
    33  firearm, rifle or shotgun owned  or  possessed  by  such  defendant  and
    34  direct  the  surrender  of  such  firearm,  rifle or shotgun pursuant to
    35  subparagraph (f) of paragraph one of subdivision a of section 265.20 and
    36  subdivision six of section 400.05 of the penal law.
    37    3. Examination order; place of examination. Upon issuing  an  examina-
    38  tion  order, the court must, except as otherwise provided in this subdi-
    39  vision, direct that the defendant be  committed  to  a  secure  facility
    40  designated  by  the commissioner as the place for such psychiatric exam-
    41  ination. The sheriff must hold the defendant  in  custody  pending  such
    42  designation  by  the commissioner, and when notified of the designation,
    43  the sheriff must promptly deliver the defendant to such secure facility.
    44  [When the defendant is not in custody at the time  of  such  verdict  or
    45  plea,  because he was previously released on bail or on his own recogni-
    46  zance, the court, in its discretion, may direct that such examination be
    47  conducted on an out-patient basis, and at such time  and  place  as  the
    48  commissioner  shall designate. If, however, the commissioner informs the
    49  court that confinement of the defendant is necessary  for  an  effective
    50  examination,  the  court must direct that the defendant be confined in a
    51  facility  designated  by  the  commissioner  until  the  examination  is
    52  completed.]
    53    4.  Examination  order,  duration.  Confinement  in  a secure facility
    54  pursuant to an examination order shall be for  a  period  not  exceeding
    55  thirty  days,  except  that,  upon  application of the commissioner, the
    56  court may authorize confinement for an additional period  not  exceeding

        S. 8567                             7
 
     1  thirty  days  when a longer period is necessary to complete the examina-
     2  tion. If the initial hearing required by subdivision six of this section
     3  has not commenced prior to the termination of such  examination  period,
     4  the  commissioner  shall  retain custody of the defendant in such secure
     5  facility until custody is transferred  to  the  sheriff  in  the  manner
     6  prescribed in subdivision six of this section. During the period of such
     7  confinement,  the  physician in charge of the facility may administer or
     8  cause to be administered to the defendant  such  emergency  psychiatric,
     9  medical  or  other  therapeutic  treatment  as in [his] such physician's
    10  judgment should be administered. [If the court  has  directed  that  the
    11  examination  be conducted on an out-patient basis, the examination shall
    12  be completed within thirty days after the defendant has  first  reported
    13  to  the place designated by the commissioner, except that, upon applica-
    14  tion of the commissioner, the court may extend such period for a reason-
    15  able time if a longer period is necessary to complete the examination.]
    16    5. Examination order; reports. After [he] a psychiatric  examiner  has
    17  completed  [his]  their  examination  of the defendant, each psychiatric
    18  examiner must promptly prepare a report  of  [his]  their  findings  and
    19  evaluation  concerning the defendant's mental condition, and submit such
    20  report to the commissioner. If the psychiatric examiners differ in their
    21  opinion as to whether the defendant is mentally ill or is suffering from
    22  a dangerous mental disorder, the  commissioner  must  designate  another
    23  psychiatric examiner to examine the defendant. Upon receipt of the exam-
    24  ination  reports,  the  commissioner  must submit them to the court that
    25  issued the examination order. If the court is  not  satisfied  with  the
    26  findings  of these psychiatric examiners, the court may designate one or
    27  more additional psychiatric examiners pursuant to subdivision  [fifteen]
    28  fourteen  of this section.  The court must furnish a copy of the reports
    29  to the district attorney, counsel  for  the  defendant  and  the  mental
    30  hygiene legal service.
    31    6.  Initial  hearing;  commitment order. After the examination reports
    32  are submitted, the court must, within ten days of the  receipt  of  such
    33  reports, conduct an initial hearing to determine the defendant's present
    34  mental  condition  and  the  period  of commitment to be imposed. If the
    35  defendant is in the custody of the commissioner pursuant to an  examina-
    36  tion  order,  the court must direct the sheriff to obtain custody of the
    37  defendant from the commissioner and to  confine  the  defendant  pending
    38  further order of the court, except that the court may direct the sheriff
    39  to  confine the defendant in an institution located near the place where
    40  the court sits if that institution has been designated  by  the  commis-
    41  sioner  as  suitable  for the temporary and secure detention of mentally
    42  disabled persons. [At such initial hearing, the district  attorney  must
    43  establish  to  the  satisfaction  of  the court that the defendant has a
    44  dangerous mental disorder or is mentally ill. If the  court  finds  that
    45  the  defendant  has a dangerous mental disorder, it must issue a commit-
    46  ment order. If the court finds  that  the  defendant  does  not  have  a
    47  dangerous  mental disorder but is mentally ill, the provisions of subdi-
    48  vision seven of this section shall apply.] After reviewing the  examina-
    49  tion  reports submitted pursuant to subdivision five of this section and
    50  giving the district attorney and counsel for the defendant, as  well  as
    51  any  victim in the underlying criminal proceeding, the opportunity to be
    52  heard regarding the length of commitment, the court must impose a  mini-
    53  mum  period of commitment and a maximum period of commitment pursuant to
    54  section 60.38 of the penal law.
    55    7. [Initial hearing civil commitment and order of conditions.  If,  at
    56  the  conclusion of the initial hearing conducted pursuant to subdivision

        S. 8567                             8

     1  six of this section, the court finds that the defendant is mentally  ill
     2  but  does  not have a dangerous mental disorder, the provisions of arti-
     3  cles nine or fifteen of the mental hygiene law shall apply at that stage
     4  of  the proceedings and at all subsequent proceedings. Having found that
     5  the defendant is mentally ill, the court must issue an order  of  condi-
     6  tions  and  an  order  committing  the  defendant  to the custody of the
     7  commissioner. The latter order shall be deemed an order made pursuant to
     8  the mental hygiene law and not pursuant to  this  section,  and  further
     9  retention,  conditional  release or discharge of such defendant shall be
    10  in accordance with the provisions of the mental hygiene law. If, at  the
    11  conclusion  of  the  initial hearing, the court finds that the defendant
    12  does not have a dangerous mental disorder and is not mentally  ill,  the
    13  court  must discharge the defendant either unconditionally or subject to
    14  an order of conditions.
    15    7-a.] Whenever the court issues a special order of conditions pursuant
    16  to this section, the commissioner shall make reasonable efforts to noti-
    17  fy the victim or victims or the designated witness or witnesses  that  a
    18  special  order of conditions containing such provisions has been issued,
    19  unless such victim or witness has requested that such notice should  not
    20  be provided.
    21    8.  First  retention  order. When a defendant is in the custody of the
    22  commissioner pursuant to a commitment order, the commissioner  must,  at
    23  least  thirty  days  prior  to  the  expiration  of  the  minimum period
    24  prescribed in the order, apply to the court that issued the order, or to
    25  a superior court in the county where the secure facility is located, for
    26  a first retention order or a release order. The commissioner  must  give
    27  written  notice of the application to the district attorney, the defend-
    28  ant, counsel for the defendant, and the mental  hygiene  legal  service.
    29  Upon  receipt  of  such application, the court [may, on its own motion,]
    30  shall conduct a hearing to determine whether the defendant has a danger-
    31  ous mental disorder[, and it must  conduct  such  hearing  if  a  demand
    32  therefor  is  made  by the district attorney, the defendant, counsel for
    33  the defendant, or the mental hygiene legal service within ten days  from
    34  the  date  that notice of the application was given to them] and whether
    35  the defendant's release would pose a  risk  to  the  safety  of  another
    36  person or the community. If such a hearing is held on an application for
    37  retention,  the  commissioner  must establish to the satisfaction of the
    38  court that the defendant has a dangerous mental disorder or is  mentally
    39  ill  and that the defendant's release would pose a risk to the safety of
    40  another person or the community. The district attorney shall be entitled
    41  to appear and present evidence at such hearing. If  such  a  hearing  is
    42  held on an application for release, the district attorney must establish
    43  to  the  satisfaction  of  the  court that the defendant has a dangerous
    44  mental disorder or is mentally ill. If the court finds that the  defend-
    45  ant  has a dangerous mental disorder or is mentally ill and poses a risk
    46  to the safety of another person or the community, it must issue a  first
    47  retention  order.  If the court finds that the defendant is mentally ill
    48  but does not have a dangerous mental disorder and does not pose  a  risk
    49  to  the safety of another person or the community, it must issue a first
    50  retention order and, pursuant to subdivision eleven of this  section,  a
    51  transfer  order  and an order of conditions. If the court finds that the
    52  defendant does not have a dangerous mental disorder and is not  mentally
    53  ill,  it  must issue a release order and an order of conditions pursuant
    54  to subdivision twelve of this section.
    55    9. Second and subsequent retention orders. When a defendant is in  the
    56  custody  of  the  commissioner  pursuant to a first retention order, the

        S. 8567                             9
 
     1  commissioner must, at least thirty days prior to the expiration  of  the
     2  period  prescribed  in  the  order,  apply  to the court that issued the
     3  order, or to a superior court  in  the  county  where  the  facility  is
     4  located,  for  a  second retention order or a release order. The commis-
     5  sioner must give written notice  of  the  application  to  the  district
     6  attorney,  the  defendant,  counsel  for  the  defendant, and the mental
     7  hygiene legal service. Upon receipt of such application, the court [may,
     8  on its own motion,] must conduct a  hearing  to  determine  whether  the
     9  defendant  has  a  dangerous  mental disorder[, and it must conduct such
    10  hearing if a demand therefor is  made  by  the  district  attorney,  the
    11  defendant,  counsel  for  the  defendant,  or  the  mental hygiene legal
    12  service within ten days from the date that notice of the application was
    13  given to them] and whether the defendant's release would pose a risk  to
    14  the safety of another person or the community. If such a hearing is held
    15  on  an application for retention, the commissioner must establish to the
    16  satisfaction of the court that the  defendant  has  a  dangerous  mental
    17  disorder  or is mentally ill and that the defendant's release would pose
    18  a risk to the safety of another person or the community.   The  district
    19  attorney  shall be entitled to appear and present evidence at such hear-
    20  ing. If such a hearing is  held  on  an  application  for  release,  the
    21  district  attorney  must establish to the satisfaction of the court that
    22  the defendant has a dangerous mental disorder or is mentally ill. If the
    23  court finds that the defendant has a dangerous  mental  disorder  or  is
    24  mentally  ill  and  poses  a risk to the safety of another person or the
    25  community, it must issue a second retention order. If  the  court  finds
    26  that  the defendant is mentally ill but does not have a dangerous mental
    27  disorder, it must issue a second retention order and, pursuant to subdi-
    28  vision eleven of this section, a transfer order and an order  of  condi-
    29  tions.  If  the court finds that the defendant does not have a dangerous
    30  mental disorder and is not mentally ill, it must issue a  release  order
    31  and  an  order  of  conditions  pursuant  to  subdivision twelve of this
    32  section. When a defendant is in the custody of the commissioner prior to
    33  the expiration of the period prescribed in a second retention order, the
    34  procedures set forth in this subdivision for the issuance  of  a  second
    35  retention order shall govern the application for and the issuance of any
    36  subsequent retention order.
    37    10.  Furlough  order. The commissioner may apply for a furlough order,
    38  pursuant to this subdivision, when a defendant is in [his] such  commis-
    39  sioner's  custody pursuant to a commitment order, recommitment order, or
    40  retention order and the commissioner is of  the  view  that,  consistent
    41  with  the  public safety and welfare of the community and the defendant,
    42  the clinical condition of the defendant warrants a granting of the priv-
    43  ileges authorized by a furlough order. The application  for  a  furlough
    44  order may be made to the court that issued the commitment order, or to a
    45  superior  court  in the county where the secure facility is located. The
    46  commissioner must give ten days written notice to the district attorney,
    47  the defendant, counsel for the defendant, and the mental  hygiene  legal
    48  service.  Upon  receipt  of  such application, the court may, on its own
    49  motion, conduct a hearing to determine whether the application should be
    50  granted, and must conduct such hearing if a demand therefor is  made  by
    51  the  district  attorney.  If  the  court  finds  that  the issuance of a
    52  furlough order is consistent with the public safety and welfare  of  the
    53  community  and  the  defendant,  and  that the clinical condition of the
    54  defendant warrants a granting of the privileges authorized by a furlough
    55  order, the court must grant the application and issue a  furlough  order
    56  containing  any  terms  and conditions that the court deems necessary or

        S. 8567                            10
 
     1  appropriate. If the defendant fails to return to the secure facility  at
     2  the time specified in the furlough order, then, for purposes of subdivi-
     3  sion  [nineteen]  eighteen of this section, [he] such defendant shall be
     4  deemed to have escaped.
     5    11. Transfer order and order of conditions. The commissioner may apply
     6  for  a transfer order, pursuant to this subdivision, when a defendant is
     7  in [his] such commissioner's custody pursuant to a retention order or  a
     8  recommitment order, and the commissioner is of the view that the defend-
     9  ant  does  not have a dangerous mental disorder or that, consistent with
    10  the public safety and welfare of the community and  the  defendant,  the
    11  clinical condition of the defendant warrants [his] their transfer from a
    12  secure  facility  to a non-secure facility under the jurisdiction of the
    13  commissioner or to any non-secure facility designated by the commission-
    14  er. The application for a transfer order may be made to the  court  that
    15  issued  the order under which the defendant is then in custody[, or to a
    16  superior court in the county where the secure facility is located].  The
    17  commissioner must give ten days written notice to the district attorney,
    18  the  defendant,  counsel for the defendant, and the mental hygiene legal
    19  service. Upon receipt of such application, the court  may,  on  its  own
    20  motion, conduct a hearing to determine whether the application should be
    21  granted, and must conduct such hearing if the demand therefor is made by
    22  the  district  attorney.  At  such  hearing,  the district attorney must
    23  establish to the satisfaction of the court  that  the  defendant  has  a
    24  dangerous  mental  disorder  or that the issuance of a transfer order is
    25  inconsistent with the public safety and welfare of  the  community.  The
    26  court must grant the application and issue a transfer order if the court
    27  finds  that  the defendant does not have a dangerous mental disorder, or
    28  if the court finds that the issuance of a transfer order  is  consistent
    29  with  the  public  safety and welfare of the community and the defendant
    30  and that the clinical condition of the defendant,  warrants  [his]  such
    31  defendant's  transfer from a secure facility to a non-secure facility. A
    32  court must also issue a transfer  order  when,  in  connection  with  an
    33  application for a first retention order pursuant to subdivision eight of
    34  this  section  or  a  second  or  subsequent retention order pursuant to
    35  subdivision nine of this section, it finds that a defendant is  mentally
    36  ill  but  does  not  have a dangerous mental disorder.  Whenever a court
    37  issues a transfer order it must also issue an order of conditions.
    38    12. Release order and order of conditions. [The] After  the  defendant
    39  has completed the minimum term of commitment set forth in the commitment
    40  order,  the commissioner may apply for a release order, pursuant to this
    41  subdivision, when a defendant is in [his]  such  commissioner's  custody
    42  pursuant to a retention order or recommitment order, and the commission-
    43  er  is  of  the view that the defendant no longer has a dangerous mental
    44  disorder [and], is no longer mentally ill, and no longer poses a risk to
    45  the safety of another person or the community.  The  application  for  a
    46  release order may be made to the court that issued the order under which
    47  the  defendant is then in custody[, or to a superior court in the county
    48  where  the  facility  is  located].  The  application  must  contain   a
    49  description of the defendant's current mental condition, the past course
    50  of  treatment,  a history of the defendant's conduct subsequent to [his]
    51  such defendant's commitment, a written service plan for continued treat-
    52  ment which shall include the information specified in subdivision (g) of
    53  section 29.15 of the mental hygiene law, and a detailed statement of the
    54  extent to which supervision of the defendant after release is  proposed.
    55  The  commissioner  must  give  ten  days  written notice to the district
    56  attorney, the defendant, counsel  for  the  defendant,  and  the  mental

        S. 8567                            11

     1  hygiene  legal service. Upon receipt of such application, the court must
     2  promptly conduct a hearing to determine the defendant's  present  mental
     3  condition.  At such hearing, the district attorney must establish to the
     4  satisfaction  of  the  court  that  the defendant has a dangerous mental
     5  disorder [or], is mentally ill, or poses a risk to the safety of another
     6  person or the community. If the court finds that  the  defendant  has  a
     7  dangerous  mental  disorder,  it must deny the application for a release
     8  order. If the court finds that the defendant does not have  a  dangerous
     9  mental  disorder  but  is  mentally  ill, it must issue a transfer order
    10  pursuant to subdivision eleven of this section if the defendant is  then
    11  confined  in  a  secure  facility. If the court finds that the defendant
    12  does not have a dangerous mental disorder and is not  mentally  ill,  it
    13  must  grant the application and issue a release order. A court must also
    14  issue a release order when, in connection  with  an  application  for  a
    15  first retention order pursuant to subdivision eight of this section or a
    16  second  or  subsequent  retention  order pursuant to subdivision nine of
    17  this section, it finds that the defendant  does  not  have  a  dangerous
    18  mental  disorder  and  is  not  mentally  ill. Whenever a court issues a
    19  release order it must also issue an order of conditions.  If  the  court
    20  has  previously  issued  a transfer order and an order of conditions, it
    21  must issue a new order of conditions upon issuing a release  order.  The
    22  order  of  conditions  issued  in conjunction with a release order shall
    23  incorporate a written service plan prepared by a  psychiatrist  familiar
    24  with  the  defendant's case history and approved by the court, and shall
    25  contain any conditions that the court determines to be reasonably neces-
    26  sary or appropriate. It shall be the responsibility of the  commissioner
    27  to  determine that such defendant is receiving the services specified in
    28  the written service plan and is complying with any conditions  specified
    29  in  such plan and the order of conditions.  Where the defendant has been
    30  committed to the custody of the commissioner until the expiration of the
    31  maximum term set forth in the commitment order, the  defendant  must  be
    32  released  unless  the  court  determines that the defendant continues to
    33  have a dangerous mental illness or a mental illness and poses a risk  to
    34  the  safety  of  another  person or the community. Where the court makes
    35  such a determination, the court must refer the matter to the appropriate
    36  supreme court for a proceeding pursuant to article nine  of  the  mental
    37  hygiene law.
    38    13.  [Discharge  order.  The  commissioner  may  apply for a discharge
    39  order, pursuant to this subdivision, when a defendant has  been  contin-
    40  uously  on  an  out-patient status for three years or more pursuant to a
    41  release order, and the commissioner is of the view that the defendant no
    42  longer has a dangerous mental disorder and is no longer mentally ill and
    43  that the issuance of a discharge order is  consistent  with  the  public
    44  safety  and  welfare of the community and the defendant. The application
    45  for a discharge order may be made to the court that issued  the  release
    46  order,  or to a superior court in the county where the defendant is then
    47  residing. The commissioner must give ten  days  written  notice  to  the
    48  district  attorney,  the  defendant,  counsel for the defendant, and the
    49  mental hygiene legal service. Upon  receipt  of  such  application,  the
    50  court may, on its own motion, conduct a hearing to determine whether the
    51  application should be granted, and must conduct such hearing if a demand
    52  therefor  is  made  by  the  district attorney. The court must grant the
    53  application and issue a discharge order if  the  court  finds  that  the
    54  defendant has been continuously on an out-patient status for three years
    55  or  more,  that  he does not have a dangerous mental disorder and is not

        S. 8567                            12

     1  mentally ill, and that the issuance of the discharge order is consistent
     2  with the public safety and welfare of the community and the defendant.
     3    14.]  Recommitment  order. At any time during the period covered by an
     4  order of conditions an application may be made by  the  commissioner  or
     5  the district attorney to the court that issued such order, or to a supe-
     6  rior  court  in  the  county where the defendant is then residing, for a
     7  recommitment order when the applicant is of the view that the  defendant
     8  has  a dangerous mental disorder. The applicant must give written notice
     9  of the application to the defendant, counsel for the defendant, and  the
    10  mental  hygiene  legal service, and if the applicant is the commissioner
    11  [he] they must give such notice to  the  district  attorney  or  if  the
    12  applicant  is  the  district attorney [he] they must give such notice to
    13  the commissioner. Upon receipt of such application the court must  order
    14  the  defendant  to  appear  before  it for a hearing to determine if the
    15  defendant has a dangerous mental disorder. Such order may be in the form
    16  of a written notice, specifying the time and place of appearance, served
    17  personally upon the defendant, or mailed to [his] such defendant's  last
    18  known  address,  as  the  court  may direct.   If the defendant fails to
    19  appear in court as directed, the court may issue a warrant to an  appro-
    20  priate  peace  officer  directing  [him] them to take the defendant into
    21  custody and bring [him] such defendant before the court. In such circum-
    22  stance, the court may direct that the defendant be confined in an appro-
    23  priate institution located near the place  where  the  court  sits.  The
    24  court  must  conduct  a hearing to determine whether the defendant has a
    25  dangerous mental disorder. At such hearing, the applicant, whether  [he]
    26  they  be the commissioner or the district attorney must establish to the
    27  satisfaction of the court that the  defendant  has  a  dangerous  mental
    28  disorder.  If  the  applicant is the commissioner, the district attorney
    29  shall be entitled to appear and present evidence at such hearing; if the
    30  applicant is the district attorney, the commissioner shall  be  entitled
    31  to  appear and present evidence at such hearing. If the court finds that
    32  the defendant has a dangerous mental disorder, it must issue a recommit-
    33  ment order. When a defendant is  in  the  custody  of  the  commissioner
    34  pursuant  to  a recommitment order, the procedures set forth in subdivi-
    35  sions eight and nine of this  section  for  the  issuance  of  retention
    36  orders  shall  govern  the  application  for and the issuance of a first
    37  retention order, a second  retention  order,  and  subsequent  retention
    38  orders.
    39    [15.]  14.  Designation  of  psychiatric examiners. If, at any hearing
    40  conducted under this section to determine the defendant's present mental
    41  condition, the court is not satisfied with the findings of the psychiat-
    42  ric examiners, the court may direct the commissioner to designate one or
    43  more additional psychiatric examiners to conduct an examination  of  the
    44  defendant  and submit a report of their findings. In addition, the court
    45  may on its own motion, or upon request of a party, may designate one  or
    46  more  psychiatric examiners to examine the defendant and submit a report
    47  of their findings. The district attorney may apply to the court  for  an
    48  order directing that the defendant submit to an examination by a psychi-
    49  atric examiner designated by the district attorney, and such psychiatric
    50  examiner may testify at the hearing.
    51    [16.] 15. Rehearing and review. Any defendant who is in the custody of
    52  the commissioner pursuant to a commitment order, a retention order, or a
    53  recommitment  order, if dissatisfied with such order, may, within thirty
    54  days after the making of such order, obtain a rehearing  and  review  of
    55  the  proceedings  and of such order in accordance with the provisions of
    56  section 9.35 or 15.35 of the mental hygiene law.

        S. 8567                            13
 
     1    [17.] 16.  Rights  of  defendants.  Subject  to  the  limitations  and
     2  provisions  of this section, a defendant committed to the custody of the
     3  commissioner pursuant to this section shall have the rights  granted  to
     4  patients under the mental hygiene law.
     5    [18.]  17.  Notwithstanding  any  other  provision  of  law, no person
     6  confined  by  reason  of  a  commitment  order,  recommitment  order  or
     7  retention  order  to  a  secure  facility  may be discharged or released
     8  unless the commissioner shall deliver written notice, at least four days
     9  excluding Saturdays, Sundays and holidays, in advance of such  discharge
    10  or release to all of the following:
    11    (a) the district attorney.
    12    (b) the police department having jurisdiction of the area to which the
    13  defendant is to be discharged or released.
    14    (c) any other person the court may designate.
    15    The notices required by this subdivision shall be given by the facili-
    16  ty staff physician who was treating the defendant or, if unavailable, by
    17  the  defendant's  treatment  team  leader, but if neither is immediately
    18  available, notice must be given by some other  member  of  the  clinical
    19  staff of the facility. Such notice must be given by any means reasonably
    20  calculated to give prompt actual notice.
    21    [19.]  18. Escape from custody; notice requirements. If a defendant is
    22  in the custody of the commissioner pursuant to  an  order  issued  under
    23  this  section, and such defendant escapes from custody, immediate notice
    24  of such escape shall be given by the department facility staff  to:  (a)
    25  the  district  attorney, (b) the superintendent of state police, (c) the
    26  sheriff of the county where the escape occurred, (d) the police  depart-
    27  ment  having jurisdiction of the area where the escape occurred, (e) any
    28  person the facility staff believes to be in  danger,  and  (f)  any  law
    29  enforcement  agency  and any person the facility staff believes would be
    30  able to apprise such endangered person that the  defendant  has  escaped
    31  from  the  facility.  Such notice shall be given as soon as the facility
    32  staff know that the defendant has escaped from the  facility  and  shall
    33  include  such  information as will adequately identify the defendant and
    34  the person or persons believed to be in danger and  the  nature  of  the
    35  danger.  The  notices required by this subdivision shall be given by the
    36  facility staff physician who was treating the defendant or, if  unavail-
    37  able,  by the defendant's treatment team leader, but if neither is imme-
    38  diately available, notice must be given by  some  other  member  of  the
    39  clinical  staff  of the facility. Such notice must be given by any means
    40  reasonably calculated to give prompt actual notice. The defendant may be
    41  apprehended, restrained, transported to, and returned  to  the  facility
    42  from  which  [he]  such  defendant  escaped by any peace officer, and it
    43  shall be the duty of the officer to assist  any  representative  of  the
    44  commissioner to take the defendant into custody upon the request of such
    45  representative.
    46    [20.]  19.  Required  affidavit.  No  application  may  be made by the
    47  commissioner under this section without an accompanying  affidavit  from
    48  at  least one psychiatric examiner supportive of relief requested in the
    49  application, which affidavit shall be served on all parties entitled  to
    50  receive  the  notice  of application. Such affidavit shall set forth the
    51  defendant's clinical diagnosis, a detailed analysis of [his or her] such
    52  defendant's mental condition which caused the  psychiatric  examiner  to
    53  formulate  an  opinion, and the opinion of the psychiatric examiner with
    54  respect to the defendant. Any application submitted without the required
    55  affidavit shall be dismissed by the court.

        S. 8567                            14
 
     1    [21.] 20. Appeals. (a) A party to proceedings conducted in  accordance
     2  with  the provisions of this section may take an appeal to an intermedi-
     3  ate appellate court by permission of the intermediate appellate court as
     4  follows:
     5    (i)  the  commissioner  may  appeal  from any release order, retention
     6  order, transfer order, discharge order, order of conditions,  or  recom-
     7  mitment order, for which [he] such commissioner has not applied;
     8    (ii)  a defendant, or the mental hygiene legal service on [his or her]
     9  such defendant's behalf, may appeal from any commitment order, retention
    10  order, recommitment order, or, if the defendant has obtained a rehearing
    11  and review of any such order pursuant to subdivision  [sixteen]  fifteen
    12  of  this  section,  from an order, not otherwise appealable as of right,
    13  issued in accordance with the provisions of section 9.35 or 15.35 of the
    14  mental hygiene law authorizing continued retention  under  the  original
    15  order,  provided,  however,  that a defendant who takes an appeal from a
    16  commitment order, retention order, or recommitment order may not  subse-
    17  quently obtain a rehearing and review of such order pursuant to subdivi-
    18  sion [sixteen] fifteen of this section;
    19    (iii)  the district attorney may appeal from any release order, trans-
    20  fer order, discharge order, order  of  conditions,  furlough  order,  or
    21  order  denying  an  application for a recommitment order which [he] such
    22  district attorney opposed.
    23    (b) An aggrieved party may appeal from a final order of the intermedi-
    24  ate appellate court to the court of appeals by permission of the  inter-
    25  mediate  appellate  court  granted  before  application  to the court of
    26  appeals, or by permission of the court of appeals upon  refusal  by  the
    27  intermediate appellate court or upon direct application.
    28    (c)  An  appeal  taken under this subdivision shall be deemed civil in
    29  nature, and shall be governed by the laws and rules applicable to  civil
    30  appeals;  provided, however, that a stay of the order appealed from must
    31  be obtained in accordance with the provisions of paragraph (d)  [hereof]
    32  of this subdivision.
    33    (d)  The  court  from  or  to  which  an  appeal is taken may stay all
    34  proceedings to enforce the order appealed  from  pending  an  appeal  or
    35  determination  on  a  motion  for  permission  to appeal, or may grant a
    36  limited stay, except that only the court to which an appeal is taken may
    37  vacate, limit, or  modify  a  stay  previously  granted.  If  the  order
    38  appealed  from is affirmed or modified, the stay shall continue for five
    39  days after service upon the appellant of  the  order  of  affirmance  or
    40  modification  with  notice of its entry in the court to which the appeal
    41  was taken. If a motion is made for permission to  appeal  from  such  an
    42  order,  before  the  expiration of the five days, the stay, or any other
    43  stay granted pending determination  of  the  motion  for  permission  to
    44  appeal, shall:
    45    (i)  if  the  motion  is  granted,  continue until five days after the
    46  appeal is determined; or
    47    (ii) if the motion is denied,  continue  until  five  days  after  the
    48  movant is served with the order of denial with notice of its entry.
    49    [22.]  21. Any special order of conditions issued pursuant to subpara-
    50  graph (i) or (ii) of paragraph (o) of subdivision one  of  this  section
    51  shall  bear  in  a  conspicuous manner the term "special order of condi-
    52  tions" and a copy shall be filed by the clerk  of  the  court  with  the
    53  sheriff's  office in the county in which anyone intended to be protected
    54  by such special order resides, or, if anyone intended to be protected by
    55  such special order resides within a city, with the police department  of
    56  such  city.    The  absence  of  language specifying that the order is a

        S. 8567                            15
 
     1  "special order of conditions" shall not  affect  the  validity  of  such
     2  order.  A copy of such special order of conditions may from time to time
     3  be filed by the clerk of the court with any other police  department  or
     4  sheriff's  office  having  jurisdiction of the residence, work place, or
     5  school of anyone intended to be protected by such special order. A  copy
     6  of  such  special  order  may  also  be  filed  by anyone intended to be
     7  protected by such provisions at the  appropriate  police  department  or
     8  sheriff's  office having jurisdiction. Any subsequent amendment or revo-
     9  cation of such special order may be filed in the same manner as provided
    10  in this subdivision.   Such special order of  conditions  shall  plainly
    11  state the date that the order expires.
    12    §  7.  Paragraph  3  of subdivision (g) of section 10.03 of the mental
    13  hygiene law, as added by chapter 7 of the laws of 2007,  is  amended  to
    14  read as follows:
    15    (3)  A  person  charged  with  a  sex offense who has been found [not]
    16  responsible [by reason of] but for mental  disease  or  defect  for  the
    17  commission of that offense;
    18    §  8.  Subdivision  (d) of section 10.05 of the mental hygiene law, as
    19  amended by chapter 363 of the laws  of  2012,  is  amended  to  read  as
    20  follows:
    21    (d)  The  commissioner shall be authorized to designate multidiscipli-
    22  nary staff, including clinical  and  other  professional  personnel,  to
    23  provide  a  preliminary review of the need for detained sex offenders to
    24  be evaluated under the procedures of this section. When the commissioner
    25  receives notice pursuant to subdivision (b) of this section, such  staff
    26  shall review and assess relevant medical, clinical, criminal, and insti-
    27  tutional  records,  actuarial  risk  assessment  instruments  and  other
    28  records and reports, including  records  of  parole  release  interviews
    29  where  applicable,  and  records  and  reports  provided by the district
    30  attorney of the county where the person was convicted, or in the case of
    31  persons determined to be incapacitated or [not] responsible  [by  reason
    32  of]  but  for  mental disease or defect, the county where the person was
    33  charged. Upon such review and  assessment,  the  staff  shall  determine
    34  whether  the  person who is the subject of the notice should be referred
    35  to a case review team for evaluation.
    36    § 9. Subdivision (j) of section 10.06 of the mental  hygiene  law,  as
    37  added by chapter 7 of the laws of 2007, is amended to read as follows:
    38    (j)  The  respondent's  commission  of  a  sex offense shall be deemed
    39  established and shall not be relitigated at the probable cause  hearing,
    40  whenever  it  appears  that: (i) the respondent stands convicted of such
    41  offense; (ii) the respondent previously has been found [not] responsible
    42  [by reason of] but for mental disease or defect for  the  commission  of
    43  such  offense  or for an act or acts constituting such offense; or (iii)
    44  the respondent was indicted for such offense by a grand jury  but  found
    45  to be incompetent to stand trial for such offense. Whenever the petition
    46  alleges  the respondent's commission of a designated felony prior to the
    47  effective date of this article, the issue of whether there  is  probable
    48  cause  to believe that the commission of such offense was sexually moti-
    49  vated shall be determined by the court.
    50    § 10. Subdivision (c) of section 10.07 of the mental hygiene  law,  as
    51  added by chapter 7 of the laws of 2007, is amended to read as follows:
    52    (c) The provisions of subdivision (g) of section 10.08 of this article
    53  and  article  forty-five  of  the  civil practice law and rules shall be
    54  applicable to trials conducted pursuant to this section.  The  jury  may
    55  hear  evidence of the degree to which the respondent cooperated with the
    56  psychiatric examination. If the court finds that the respondent  refused

        S. 8567                            16
 
     1  to  submit  to  a psychiatric examination pursuant to this article, upon
     2  request it shall so instruct the jury. The respondent's commission of  a
     3  sex  offense shall be deemed established and shall not be relitigated at
     4  the  trial,  whenever  it  is  shown  that:  (i)  the  respondent stands
     5  convicted of such offense; or (ii) the respondent  previously  has  been
     6  found  [not] responsible [by reason of] but for mental disease or defect
     7  for the commission of such offense or for an act  or  acts  constituting
     8  such  offense. Whenever the petition alleges the respondent's commission
     9  of a designated felony prior to the effective date of this article,  the
    10  issue of whether such offense was sexually motivated shall be determined
    11  by the jury.
    12    §  11.  Paragraphs  1 and 3 of subdivision (a) of section 67.08 of the
    13  mental hygiene law, as added by chapter 306 of the  laws  of  2019,  are
    14  amended to read as follows:
    15    (1)  Such applicant has been committed to and placed in the custody of
    16  the department upon a verdict of [not] responsible [by  reason  of]  but
    17  for  mental disease or defect pursuant to section 330.20 of the criminal
    18  procedure law;
    19    (3) The transfer nation is either a "treaty nation" under the  COE  or
    20  any  other  nation  with which the United States has a prisoner transfer
    21  treaty that permits the transfer of  persons  committed  to  psychiatric
    22  institutions after a verdict of [not] responsible [by reason of] but for
    23  mental disease or defect.
    24    §  12.  The penal law is amended by adding a new section 60.38 to read
    25  as follows:
    26  § 60.38 Authorized disposition; verdict or plea of responsible  but  for
    27            mental disease or defect.
    28    When a person is to be sentenced upon a verdict or plea of responsible
    29  but  for  mental  disease or defect, the provisions of section 330.20 of
    30  the criminal procedure law shall apply. When a person  is  committed  to
    31  the  custody  of  the  commissioner of mental health pursuant to section
    32  330.20 of the criminal procedure law for  a  felony  offense,  then  the
    33  following maximum and minimum terms shall apply:
    34    1. If the sentence is to be imposed for a class A felony for homicide,
    35  then  the  maximum  term  shall  be  life  and the minimum term shall be
    36  fifteen to twenty years;
    37    2. If the sentence is to be imposed for a class A  felony  other  than
    38  homicide  or  a  drug  related  offense,  then the maximum term shall be
    39  twelve to fifteen years and the minimum term shall be four to six years;
    40    3. If the sentence is to be imposed for a class A felony  for  a  drug
    41  related  offense, then the maximum term shall be ten years and the mini-
    42  mum term shall be one third of the maximum term imposed or one  half  of
    43  the maximum term imposed for a second felony offense;
    44    4.  If  the  sentence  is to be imposed for a class B felony, then the
    45  maximum term shall be seven to ten years and the minimum term  shall  be
    46  one  third  of  the maximum term imposed or one half of the maximum term
    47  imposed for a second felony offense;
    48    5. If the sentence is to be imposed for a class  C  felony,  then  the
    49  maximum  term shall be five to seven years and the minimum term shall be
    50  one third of the maximum term imposed or one half of  the  maximum  term
    51  imposed for a second felony offense;
    52    6.  If  the  sentence  is to be imposed for a class D felony, then the
    53  maximum term shall be two to four years and the minimum  term  shall  be
    54  one  third  of  the maximum term imposed or one half of the maximum term
    55  imposed for a second felony offense; and

        S. 8567                            17
 
     1    7. If the sentence is to be imposed for a class  E  felony,  then  the
     2  maximum  term shall be two years and the minimum term shall be one third
     3  of the maximum term imposed or one half of the maximum term imposed  for
     4  a second felony offense.
     5    Notwithstanding any other provision of this section, when a person who
     6  is  committed to the custody of the commissioner of mental health pursu-
     7  ant to section 330.20 of the criminal procedure law for a felony offense
     8  has served the maximum sentence pursuant to this section and  the  court
     9  determines that such person continues to have a dangerous mental illness
    10  or  a mental illness and poses a risk to the safety of another person or
    11  the community, the court  must  refer  the  matter  to  the  appropriate
    12  supreme  court  for  a proceeding pursuant to article nine of the mental
    13  hygiene law in accordance with section 330.20 of the criminal  procedure
    14  law.
    15    §  13.  This  act  shall  take effect on the one hundred eightieth day
    16  after it shall have become a law.  Effective immediately, the  addition,
    17  amendment  and/or  repeal  of  any  rule or regulation necessary for the
    18  implementation of this act on its effective date are  authorized  to  be
    19  made and completed on or before such effective date.
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