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 · Senate May 18, 2026

S 6389: Directs the commissioner of corrections and community supervision to study gender disparity in resources provided to incarcerated individuals

Directs the commissioner of corrections and community supervision to study gender disparity in resources provided to incarcerated individuals and make a report to the governor and the legislature of the findings, conclusions and recommendations.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeStudies gender disparity in correctional resources, aiming to inform equitable policy changes aligned with criminal justice reform goals.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Criminal Justice

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passed · New York · Senate May 18, 2026

S 429: Authorizes the state inspector general to receive and investigate complaints of sexual assault in correctional facilities

Authorizes the state inspector general to receive and investigate complaints of sexual assault in correctional facilities and other places operated by the department of corrections and community supervision for the confinement of persons; requires the state inspector general to establish protocol and procedures for such reports and investigations.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeCreates oversight mechanism for sexual assault investigations in prisons, strengthening accountability and protecting inmate rights in correctional facilities.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Criminal Justice

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passed · New York · Senate May 18, 2026

S 360: Relates to expanding the health department's review of correctional health services

Expands the health department's review of correctional health services by including a biennial study of health care staffing at facilities operated by the department of corrections and community supervision.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeExpands health department oversight of correctional facility staffing, promoting better health services and rehabilitation within corrections, aligning with reform indicators.90% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareExpands health department oversight of correctional health services via biennial staffing studies, strengthening public health program review in facilities.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Criminal Justice

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passed · New York · Senate May 14, 2026

S 3371: Prohibits discrimination against any individual with an actual or perceived status as a victim of domestic violence, a sex offense, or stalking

Prohibits discrimination against any individual with an actual or perceived status as a victim of domestic violence, a sex offense, or stalking; requires training on discrimination against individuals with an actual or perceived status as a victim of domestic violence, a sex offense, or stalking.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeProhibits discrimination against crime victims, protecting civil rights and supporting victim access to justice, a key aspect of criminal justice reform.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentBill prohibits workplace discrimination against victims of domestic violence/stalking, directly protecting workers' rights and aligning with employment standards protections.95% confidence | Rep's Stance Voted absent

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passed · New York · Senate May 14, 2026

S 7713: Restricts the use of automatic license plate reader information

Prohibits automatic license plate reader users from selling, sharing, allowing access to, or transferring automatic license plate reader information to any state or local jurisdiction for the purpose of investigating or enforcing a law that denies or interferes with a person's right to choose or obtain reproductive health care services or any lawful health care services.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeRestricts law enforcement data use to protect reproductive health care access, aligning with civil rights protections in criminal justice reform.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill prohibits using license plate data to enforce laws restricting reproductive healthcare access, directly protecting patient rights in healthcare services.95% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyRestricts sharing of ALPR data to prevent misuse in health care enforcement, directly strengthening data privacy protections under technology policy.90% confidence | Rep's Stance Voted absent

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passed · New York · Senate May 14, 2026

S 8371: Relates to the release of student education records to juvenile detention facilities

Relates to the release of student education records to juvenile detention facilities; provides that where a student has been directed to be held in a juvenile detention facility pursuant to a court order, the educational agency where such student attends school at the time of such direction shall, upon request of the juvenile detention facility where such student is held, disclose such educational records to educational program personnel at such facility without consent of the parent or eligible student under certain circumstances.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeEnables educational records access for juvenile detention facilities, supporting rehabilitation programs within corrections.85% confidence | Rep's Stance Voted absent

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passed · New York · Senate May 13, 2026

S 9916: Relates to employee mental health services

Establishes an employee mental health services program for all employees who work for the department of corrections and community supervision and all employees of the office of mental health who deliver services to incarcerated individuals overseen by the department of corrections and community supervision.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill establishes mental health services for corrections employees, enhancing staff well-being and potentially improving care for incarcerated individuals.85% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill establishes a mental health services program for specific employees, directly expanding access to healthcare services.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentBill establishes a mental health services program for specific employees, expanding workplace benefits and protecting worker well-being.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Criminal Justice

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passed · New York · Senate May 13, 2026

S 7810: Relates to reporting requirements for temporary release programs

Adds additional information to reporting requirements for temporary release programs including the number of incarcerated individuals denied participation in each temporary release program and the reasons for denial.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeAdds transparency to denials in temporary release programs, supporting oversight and reform through detailed reporting requirements.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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