Three members of the Exonerated Five — Yusef Salaam, Kevin Richardson and Korey Wise — joined Yusef’s mother, Sharonne Salaam, members of the New York State Senate and Assembly, the Innocence Project, The Legal Aid Society and the New York State Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers to unveil a package of criminal justice reforms that could serve as a national model for much-needed change across the country, according to the New York Daily News.

“This legislation makes crucial changes to the Family Court Act to protect our clients’ rights from law enforcement abuses,” said Dawne Mitchell, Attorney-in-Charge of the Juvenile Rights Practice at The Legal Aid Society. “If enacted, law enforcement will be prohibited from interrogating a child until a parent or guardian is notified and it also ensures that our juvenile clients consult with counsel before law enforcement excepts any Miranda Rights waiver.”

The proposed bills include:

• Banning Law Enforcement Deception in the Interrogation Room and Requiring that Courts Consider the Reliability of Confessions
  (sponsored by State Senator Zellnor Myrie)
• Requiring Counsel for Young People Being Interrogated
  (sponsored by State Senator Jamaal Bailey and Assemblymember Latoya Joyner)
• Ensuring Electronic Recording of Custodial Interrogations
  (sponsored by State Senator Myrie)
• Compensation and Services for the Wrongfully Convicted
  (sponsored by State Senator Brian Benjamin)
• Protecting the Innocent As it Relates to the State DNA Index
  (sponsored by State Senator Brad Hoylman and Assemblymember Jeffrion Aubry)