Criminal Justice

failed · New York · Senate Aug 13, 2025

S 1748: Relates to authorizing bail and pre-trial detention for arson felonies

This bill adds arson offenses to categories where courts may deny pretrial release (bail) for defendants. Specifically, it authorizes judges to deny bail for "arson in the fourth degree" (§150.05) or "arson in the third degree" (§150.10) under the same conditions as other serious crimes involving harm to people or property. Prosecutors must show "reasonable cause" the defendant committed the arson, but courts may still release defendants if property damage is deemed negligible and unrelated to other crimes. The bill directly affects individuals charged with these arson offenses during pretrial proceedings.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeDenies pretrial release for specific arson offenses, restricting defendant rights without rehabilitation focus95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✓ Supports Criminal Justice

Track

failed · New York · Senate Aug 13, 2025

S 1648: Authorizes bail for principals charged with aggravated cruelty to animals

This bill (S 1648) would have amended New York's criminal procedure law to allow bail for defendants charged with "aggravated cruelty to animals" under Agriculture and Markets Law § 353-a. It specifically added this offense to existing bail eligibility provisions that previously included firearm-related crimes (like third-degree weapons possession). The bill was defeated in the Codes committee on May 5, 2025, and did not become law. It directly affected individuals charged with severe animal cruelty offenses by changing their bail eligibility under state law.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeExpands bail access for non-violent animal cruelty charges, reducing pretrial detention and aligning with criminal justice reform principles.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✗ Opposes Criminal Justice

Track

in committee · New York · Senate Jun 13, 2025

S 2695: Relates to admissibility of evidence of a victim's sexual conduct, sexual predisposition, or manner of dress

Prohibits the admissibility of evidence of a victim's sexual conduct, sexual predisposition, or manner of dress in civil actions or proceedings; provides limited exceptions.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeProhibits victim-blaming evidence in court, aligns with criminal justice reform protecting civil rights and reducing bias in proceedings.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Criminal Justice

Track

passed · New York · Senate Jun 12, 2025

R 1245: Establishes a plan setting forth an itemized list of grantees for a certain appropriation for the 2025-2026 state fiscal year for community safety and restorative justice programs

This Senate Resolution (R 1245) requires the state to create and approve an itemized list of organizations receiving funds for community safety and restorative justice programs in the 2025-2026 fiscal year. It directly affects local government agencies, community-based nonprofits, and service providers (like victim support groups, legal aid organizations, and violence prevention programs) by mandating that all allocated funds - totaling over $1 million - must be distributed according to a Senate-approved plan. Key provisions include requiring Senate leadership and the budget director to approve the grant list or allocation method before funds are spent, and allowing limited fund transfers between state agencies like victim services or domestic violence prevention offices. The resolution specifies exact amounts for 28 grantees, including $200,000 to Empire Justice Center and $100,000 to Women's Initiative for Self-Empowerment Inc., for programs addressing issues like domestic violence, gun violence prevention, and alternatives to incarceration.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesMandates itemized fund distribution for community safety/restorative justice programs, ensuring $1M+ in allocated budget supports essential services without defunding.90% confidence ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeFunds restorative justice programs including victim support and violence prevention, aligning with criminal justice reform goals like rehabilitation and community safety.95% confidence | Rep's Stance Voted absent

Track

passed · New York · Senate Jun 12, 2025

R 1237: Establishes an itemized list of grantees for the 2024-25 state fiscal year for services and expenses, grants or reimbursement of expenses incurred by providers of community safety and restorative justice programs

Senate Resolution R1237 requires an itemized list of grantees for state funds allocated to community safety and restorative justice programs during the 2024-25 fiscal year. It directly affects local governments, non-profit organizations, and community-based providers offering services like survivor support for sexual assault/domestic violence, gun violence prevention, legal aid, and alternatives to incarceration. The bill mandates that any allocation plan must be approved by the Senate President and Budget Director, then passed as a Senate resolution with a majority vote. This ensures transparency in distributing funds for programs including re-entry initiatives, community supervision, and violence reduction strategies.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeFunds community safety/restorative justice programs including alternatives to incarceration, aligning with reform indicators like reducing recidivism and non-punitive solutions.95% confidence | Rep's Stance Voted absent

Track

passed · New York · Senate Jun 12, 2025

R 1251: Establishes a plan setting forth an itemized list of grantees for certain appropriations for the 2025-26 state fiscal year for grants or reimbursement of certain expenses by local governments

Senate Resolution 1251 establishes a required itemized list of grantees for 2025-26 state funding allocated to local governments and community-based nonprofits providing legal services (including domestic violence survivor support and indigent client representation) and violence prevention programs across upstate New York. The resolution mandates that all funding distribution plans - detailing exact grant amounts for specific organizations - must be approved by a majority of the full Senate via roll call vote. It specifically lists recipients like Albany Law School ($87,500), Legal Aid Society of Rochester ($218,750), and others, formalizing prior resolutions (R2704, R1406, R2693) for these programs. This procedural resolution ensures transparency in how state funds are distributed for criminal/civil legal aid and community safety initiatives.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesMandates itemized funding distribution for essential legal services and violence prevention programs, promoting fiscal transparency and accountability in budget allocation.90% confidence ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeFunds legal services, domestic violence support, and violence prevention programs - directly advancing criminal justice services for indigent clients and community safety.95% confidence | Rep's Stance Voted absent

Track

passed · New York · Senate Jun 10, 2025

S 6244: Enacts the "Lieutenant Joseph Banish mental health act"

Enacts the "Lieutenant Joseph Banish mental health act" which establishes a law enforcement peer support program to provide confidentiality for communications arising out of law enforcement peer support counseling; defines terms; provides exceptions for when a peer support communication may be disclosed.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeEstablishes confidential peer support for law enforcement officers, enhancing mental health resources and accountability - aligns with criminal justice reform indicators.85% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill creates law enforcement peer support program with confidentiality for mental health counseling, directly advancing mental health services as a healthcare component.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Criminal Justice

Track

in committee · New York · Senate Jun 10, 2025

S 5225: Relates to the collection and reporting of sexual offense evidence on the statewide electronic tracking system

Requires the collection and reporting of sexual offense evidence on the statewide electronic tracking system within seven days of permission to release the evidence by the alleged sexual offense victim; relates to additional rules and guidelines.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeMandates timely evidence reporting with victim consent, enhancing victim rights and case processing efficiency in sexual offense cases.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Criminal Justice

Track

in committee · New York · Senate Jun 10, 2025

S 8198: Relates to requiring certain records checks in child custody proceedings; repealer

This bill (S 8198) requires New York courts to check specific records before making custody decisions in child custody cases involving orders of protection. Courts must review sex offender registry data, protection order records, related court decisions, and warrants. The bill modifies Family Court Act section 842 to mandate these checks and repeals an outdated section of the same law. It directly affects family courts, parents involved in custody disputes with protection orders, and children in those cases. The law aims to ensure custody decisions consider relevant safety information during protection order proceedings.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeMandates criminal records checks (sex offender registry, protection orders) in custody cases to prevent harm, aligning with criminal justice reform by enhancing safety through informed judicial decisions.92% confidence | Rep's Stance Voted absent

Track

in committee · New York · Senate Jun 9, 2025

S 8312: Relates to the removal of actions to certain courts in an adjoining county

This bill allows criminal defendants in counties outside New York City to have their cases moved to a mental health court in a neighboring county, with consent from the defendant, both district attorneys, and the receiving court. It requires a 5-day waiting period before the transfer takes effect unless the receiving court agrees to accept the case sooner. The law specifically prohibits moving family offense cases involving household members to veterans treatment courts under this provision. This primarily affects defendants facing criminal charges who qualify for specialized court programs in adjacent jurisdictions, streamlining access to mental health-focused sentencing.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill expands access to mental health courts for criminal defendants outside NYC, promoting diversion and treatment over traditional prosecution - a key criminal justice reform to reduce recidivism and address mental health needs.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Criminal Justice

Track