A4159A

The Senate passed Assembly Bill 4159A, an act to amend the Correction Law, on a roll call vote of 55-6. The bill, which was substituted for the identical Senate Bill 1806A, allows certified or licensed peer advocates with prior incarceration to work in correctional facilities. Sen. Fernandez, who sponsored the discharge motion, argued the measure corrects an injustice by enabling peer advocates to provide support to incarcerated individuals based on their lived experience. She emphasized that peer support strengthens recovery, reduces recidivism, and prepares people for reentry with dignity and purpose. Only six senators voted against the measure: Sens. Chan, Helming, Ortt, Stec, Walczyk, and Weik. The bill takes effect 60 days after becoming law.