Criminal Justice

passed both · New York · Assembly Jun 4, 2026

A 11199: Enacts the "police radio transparency act"

Requires that any law enforcement agency in the state that encrypts any portion of its radio communications shall ensure that all of its radio communications, with the exception of sensitive information, may be monitored in real time by professional journalists, newscasters, and individuals employed by emergency services organizations.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill enhances police accountability by mandating transparency in radio communications for journalists and emergency services.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✗ Opposes Criminal Justice

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passed both · New York · Senate Jun 2, 2026

S 3864: Enacts the "criminal court opinion transparency act"

This bill requires New York courts to publish detailed criminal case data online in a machine-readable format. It mandates collecting and sharing defendant demographics (age, gender, race/ethnicity), judge names, case issues, and publication status for every criminal case, with new data updated quarterly. The information must be accessible via a free public database allowing search and bulk download for analysis. This affects courts (which must transmit data) and the public (which gains access to previously unpublished case details). The law applies to all criminal cases, including those resolved in favor of the defendant.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeMandates public transparency of criminal court data including demographics and case details, enabling bias analysis and enhancing judicial accountability - key criminal justice reform indicators.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✗ Opposes Criminal Justice

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passed both · New York · Senate Jun 2, 2026

S 614: Provides for enrollment in medical assistance programs for incarcerated individuals

Provides for enrollment of eligible incarcerated persons in the medical assistance for needy persons program; provides for enrollment of incarcerated individuals in other medical assistance programs, where eligible.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeProvides medical assistance access for released inmates, supporting reintegration and reducing recidivism through healthcare continuity post-release.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill provides presumptive eligibility for medical assistance upon release from correctional facilities, expanding healthcare access for a vulnerable population by enabling enrollment without delay.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✗ Opposes Criminal Justice

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passed both · New York · Assembly Jun 1, 2026

A 4603: Establishes visiting policies for incarcerated individuals

Establishes visiting policies for incarcerated people, to provide incarcerated people opportunities for personal contact with relatives, friends, clergy, volunteers and other persons to promote better institutional adjustment and better community adjustment upon release.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill establishes visiting policies to promote rehabilitation and community adjustment upon release, directly supporting criminal justice reform through maintained family connections.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✗ Opposes Criminal Justice

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passed both · New York · Assembly May 28, 2026

A 6666: Requires the commissioner of corrections and community supervision to make facility water testing results accessible to the public, incarcerated individuals and correctional facility staff

Requires the commissioner of corrections and community supervision to make correctional facility water testing results accessible directly, upon request, to incarcerated individuals and correctional facility staff in such facilities and make such water testing results available to the public on the website of the department.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeRequires public access to correctional facility water testing, promoting transparency in corrections - a criminal justice reform indicator.70% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✗ Opposes Criminal Justice

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passed both · New York · Senate May 28, 2026

S 3974: Relates to failure to complete a program for time allowances due to circumstances beyond an individual's control

This bill (S 3974) amends New York State correction law to ensure incarcerated individuals do not lose earned time allowances if they fail to complete assigned work or treatment programs due to circumstances beyond their control (e.g., medical issues or facility disruptions). It specifically revises sections of the correction law to clarify that time credits - earned through good behavior, program participation, or educational/vocational achievements - must not be withheld for such unavoidable circumstances. The policy directly affects incarcerated people in state facilities who qualify for time reductions under existing programs. The change aligns with current provisions but explicitly prevents punitive withholding of time allowances for factors outside an individual’s control.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticePrevents loss of earned time credits for unavoidable program failures, supporting rehabilitation and reducing recidivism risks in correctional systems.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✗ Opposes Criminal Justice

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passed both · New York · Senate May 18, 2026

S 329: Facilitates appellate review of rulings that implicate issues of public concern

This bill (S 329) changes criminal procedure rules to allow defendants to appeal a judge's decision denying a motion to suppress evidence - even if they later enter a guilty plea. It directly affects criminal defendants who want to challenge evidence rulings that may involve issues of public concern. The key provision amends the law to make such denial orders "reviewable upon appeal" from the final conviction, removing a previous barrier that prevented appeals after a guilty plea. This provides a clearer path for defendants to seek appellate review of critical evidence rulings without being barred by their own plea. The change applies to all criminal cases where evidence suppression is contested.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill allows defendants to appeal evidence suppression rulings after guilty plea, strengthening due process rights in criminal proceedings.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✗ Opposes Criminal Justice

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passed both · New York · Senate May 13, 2026

S 1946: Provides for the expungement of syringe convictions

This bill (S 1946) allows individuals convicted of specific syringe possession offenses to have their court records sealed. It directly affects people convicted under Penal Law sections 222.10, 222.15, 222.25, 222.45 (current law) or former section 220.45 (prior to the bill's effective date). The key provision adds these conviction types to the list of offenses eligible for expungement under New York's criminal procedure law. The bill creates a legal mechanism for sealing these specific past records, without changing current possession laws or penalties.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeEnables expungement of minor syringe possession convictions, reducing barriers to reentry and aligning with criminal justice reform goals to reduce recidivism.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✗ Opposes Criminal Justice

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passed · New York · Assembly May 12, 2026

A 3524: Preserves the ability to appeal a violation of a defendant's right to make a statement personally at sentencing

Preserves the ability to appeal a violation of a defendant's right to make a statement personally at sentencing notwithstanding a defendant signed an otherwise valid waiver of appeal.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticePreserves defendant's right to appeal sentencing statement violations, protecting civil rights in criminal justice proceedings90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✗ Opposes Criminal Justice

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passed both · New York · Assembly May 4, 2026

A 1422: Requires accurate interpretation of statements made by deponents with limited English proficiency in accusatory instruments and supporting depositions

Provides that an accusatory instrument or supporting deposition consisting of factual allegations by a deponent with limited English proficiency is not sufficient unless accompanied by a sworn statement from an interpreter affirming the accuracy of the English interpretation.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeRequires sworn interpreter statements to prevent misinterpretation of deponents' statements, protecting defendant rights and ensuring fair court proceedings in criminal cases.85% confidence ✓ ImmigrationSupports ImmigrationEnsures accurate interpretation for non-English speakers in legal proceedings, preventing misrepresentation that could harm immigrant rights in accusatory instruments.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✗ Opposes Criminal Justice

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