Criminal Justice

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 Yes ✓ Supports Criminal Justice

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passed · New York · Assembly May 18, 2026

A 5989: Provides for automatic issuance of identification cards to incarcerated individuals and assistance with obtaining copies of certain documents

Provides for automatic issuance of identification cards to incarcerated individuals and assistance with obtaining copies of any documents needed to apply for identification cards, including, but not limited to, an incarcerated individual's social security card and birth certificate.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeProvides ID cards and document assistance for incarcerated individuals, reducing reentry barriers and aligning with recidivism reduction goals in criminal justice reform.92% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Criminal Justice

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passed · New York · Assembly May 13, 2026

A 1719: Prohibits charging a fee to obtain a certified copy or certified transcript of birth in certain situations

Prohibits charging a fee to obtain a certified copy or certified transcript of birth when the department of corrections and community supervision or a local correctional facility requests such for an individual under community supervision in connection with such individual's ongoing supervision in the community.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeRemoves financial barriers for community supervision compliance, aiding reintegration and reducing recidivism risk per criminal justice reform indicators.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports 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 Yes ✓ Supports 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 Yes ✓ Supports Criminal Justice

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passed · New York · Assembly May 6, 2026

A 8263: Relates to requiring training of police department and state police personnel on the protocols of the address confidentiality program

Requires the secretary of state to develop and mandate training of police department personnel and state police officers on the protocols of the address confidentiality program.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeRequires police training on address confidentiality protocols, enhancing victim protection and police accountability in criminal justice.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Criminal Justice

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passed both · New York · Assembly Apr 29, 2026

A 4871: Establishes the chief administrator of the courts shall submit annually a report on the Drug Treatment Court Program during the preceding year

Establishes the chief administrator of the courts shall submit annually a report on the administration, function and effectiveness of the Drug Treatment Court Program during the preceding year.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeMandates annual reporting on Drug Treatment Court effectiveness, promoting program evaluation and potential reform within criminal justice92% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Criminal Justice

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passed both · New York · Assembly Mar 5, 2026

A 6338: Relates to defining a victim of a sexual offense

This bill expands the legal definition of a "victim of a sexual offense" in New York State to explicitly include individuals harmed by the unlawful dissemination or publication of intimate images. It amends Section 108 of the Executive Law to add this new category to the existing definition, which previously covered offenses under specific Penal Law sections. The change directly affects people whose intimate images are shared without consent, ensuring they are recognized under the same legal framework as victims of other sexual offenses. This is a definitional update, not a new criminal penalty, and applies to all cases falling under the revised definition.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeExpands victim definition to include non-consensual image sharing victims, strengthening legal protections and aligning with civil rights in criminal justice reform.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Criminal Justice

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signed · New York · Senate Feb 13, 2026

S 8762: Relates to the removal of actions to certain courts in an adjoining county

Allows the removal of criminal actions to a mental health court in an adjoining county and provides for the reversion to the original court of record where the defendant fails to comply with or complete the mental health court program.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill creates mental health court diversion for eligible defendants, promoting rehabilitation over traditional sentencing and reducing recidivism - key criminal justice reform indicators.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Criminal Justice

signed · New York · Senate Feb 13, 2026

S 8763: Relates to the method of notifying certain crime victims of the disposition of criminal trial

Requires that following the acquittal after trial or the sentencing of any defendant for a felony, the district attorney, or their designee, shall provide by mail, electronically, or by any other reasonable and secure means of written communication a written summary of the disposition of such felony to any victim who was not present at the time that the defendant was sentenced or acquitted after trial.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeMandates victim notification after felony disposition, enhancing victim rights and transparency in criminal justice proceedings.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Criminal Justice