Criminal Justice

failed · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 3511: Increases the maximum sentence of imprisonment for certain misdemeanors to one year; repealer

Bill S 3511 proposes to increase the maximum possible prison sentence for individuals convicted of Class A and unclassified misdemeanors. It amends the penal law to change the maximum definite sentence for these crimes from 364 days to one year. The bill also repeals a specific subdivision within the penal law related to misdemeanor sentencing. This change would allow courts to impose slightly longer jail terms for these particular offenses.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeIncreases misdemeanor prison terms from 364 to 365 days, expanding criminalization and lengthening sentences for minor offenses.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✓ Supports Criminal Justice

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in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 4167: Relates to medicaid eligibility for youth leaving court ordered placement

This bill (S 4167) automatically grants Medicaid eligibility to youth exiting foster care in New York State. Specifically, it makes youth placed under certain Family Court Act sections (353.3 or 353.5) presumptively eligible for Medicaid starting the day they are released from court-ordered placement. This automatic eligibility lasts for up to 60 days or until a formal Medicaid determination is made, whichever comes first. During this period, medical care provided by eligible providers counts as Medicaid-covered services. The bill aims to ensure continuous health coverage for vulnerable youth transitioning out of foster care.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill provides automatic Medicaid for youth exiting court-ordered placement, supporting reentry and reducing recidivism risk. This aligns with criminal justice reform goals of improving rehabilitation outcomes.90% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareAutomatically grants Medicaid eligibility to foster youth upon release, expanding health coverage access without barriers for a vulnerable population.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Criminal Justice

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in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 6593: Requires reporting to the federal bureau of investigation's national use-of-force data collection program

S 6593 requires New York's Division of Criminal Justice Services to report all police use-of-force incidents to the FBI's national database. It mandates reporting specific force types (like firearms, chokeholds, chemical agents, or impact weapons) and includes detailed demographic data (age, race, gender, etc.) for all involved parties. Police departments, sheriff's offices, and state police that fail to submit these reports face a 10% reduction in state funding until compliance is achieved. The bill directly affects law enforcement agencies by creating a new data collection obligation under state law, aligning with federal reporting standards.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeMandates detailed use-of-force reporting with demographic data and funding penalties for non-compliance, enhancing police accountability and transparency in criminal justice.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Criminal Justice

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failed · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 1041: Relates to arrest, prosecution, sentencing and penalties for offenses involving vehicular assault, manslaughter and homicide and operating a vehicle under the influence of drugs or alcohol

Amends provisions involving the arrest, prosecution, sentencing and penalties for offenses involving vehicular assault, manslaughter and homicide; removes certain barriers to prosecution for operating a vehicle under the influence of drugs or alcohol.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeRemoves barriers to prosecution for DUI offenses, increasing enforcement and penalties, aligning with restrictive criminal justice measures.95% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationBill strengthens DUI penalties to enhance road safety, directly improving vehicle regulation standards and reducing traffic-related harm.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✓ Supports Criminal Justice

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in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 628: Relates to adding transmission of unwanted lewd or intimate images to the definition of aggravated harassment in the second degree

This bill would expand New York's definition of "aggravated harassment in the second degree" to include sending unwanted intimate photos or videos with the intent to harass, annoy, threaten, or alarm someone, and without a legitimate communication purpose. It directly affects individuals who transmit such images without consent for malicious reasons. The key provision requires both the harmful intent and the absence of a valid reason for the communication. If enacted, this would make such transmissions a specific criminal offense under the state's harassment laws.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeExpands criminal definition to protect victims from non-consensual intimate image sharing, advancing digital privacy protections within criminal justice reform.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Criminal Justice

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failed · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 307: Relates to bail for certain felony offenses involving the manufacture, sale, distribution, or possession with intent to sell synthetic opioids

Authorizes the imposition of bail for certain felony offenses involving the manufacture, sale, distribution, or possession with intent to sell synthetic opioids.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeAuthorizes mandatory bail for synthetic opioid offenses, restricting pretrial release and increasing criminalization, aligning with 'oppose' indicators of reducing defendant rights.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✓ Supports Criminal Justice

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died · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 856: Increases the number of members on the state commission of correction

Senate Bill S 856 reorganizes the State Commission of Correction by expanding its membership from three to nine individuals. The bill diversifies the appointment process, allowing the Governor, Speaker of the Assembly, Temporary President of the Senate, and the Correctional Association to each appoint members. It also mandates that the commission include members with specific professional backgrounds, such as formerly incarcerated individuals, health professionals, and attorneys. Additionally, the bill establishes a ten-year term limit for commissioners and alters the process for designating the chairperson and removing members.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeExpands Commission of Correction with diverse members including formerly incarcerated individuals, aligning with reform goals like inclusive oversight and accountability.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Criminal Justice

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vetoed · New York · Assembly Dec 19, 2025

A 3516: Relates to enacting the "keep police radio public act"

Enacts the "keep police radio public act"; ensures that, except for sensitive information, all radio communications are accessible to emergency services organizations and professional journalists.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill mandates public access to police radio comms (except sensitive info), enhancing transparency and accountability in law enforcement, aligning with criminal justice reform indicators.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Criminal Justice

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signed · New York · Senate Dec 12, 2025

S 2295: Requires training regarding sexual assault for police officers and child protective services workers

Requires police officers to receive training instruction for crimes involving sexual assaults; requires training for child protective services workers in certain instances.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeRequires police/child protective training on sexual assault cases, enhancing accountability and victim response - aligns with criminal justice reform indicators.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Criminal Justice

signed · New York · Assembly Dec 5, 2025

A 7563: Relates to the removal of actions to certain courts in an adjoining county

This bill allows criminal cases in counties outside cities with over one million residents to be transferred to specialized mental health courts in neighboring counties. It requires the defendant's motion, consent from both district attorneys, and excludes family violence cases where the accused and victim are family members. The transfer cannot take effect for five days unless the receiving court agrees to accept the case earlier. This creates a formal process for connecting defendants with treatment-focused courts in adjacent jurisdictions.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill creates formal process to transfer eligible criminal cases to mental health courts, promoting rehabilitation and reducing recidivism through specialized diversion.90% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill establishes formal process for transferring criminal defendants to mental health courts, expanding access to mental health treatment services as part of the healthcare system.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Criminal Justice