Criminal Justice

passed · New York · Senate May 5, 2026

S 197: Relates to the sentencing for the crime of aggravated cruelty to animals

Enacts "Tucker's law"; removes the provision that provides that any term of imprisonment for a violation of aggravated cruelty to animals may not exceed two years.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeRemoves 2-year cap on animal cruelty sentencing, increasing potential prison terms. Aligns with 'increases mandatory sentences' indicator for oppose stance.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✗ Opposes Criminal Justice

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died · New York · Senate May 4, 2026

S 4525: 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 certification for deponent statements, protecting defendant rights and ensuring accurate legal proceedings in criminal cases.85% confidence | Rep's Stance Voted absent

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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 Yes ✓ Supports Criminal Justice

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passed · New York · Senate Apr 29, 2026

S 1982: Relates to the completion of training requirements for sheriffs and undersheriffs

Relates to the completion of training requirements for sheriffs and undersheriffs; directs the municipal police training council to promulgate rules and regulations relating to qualification for municipal police forces for persons who were previously sworn members of the state police and to provide certificates to such persons who meet such qualifications.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill mandates training standards for sheriffs/undersheriffs, strengthening law enforcement qualifications within criminal justice framework.85% confidence | Rep's Stance Voted absent

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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 absent

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passed · New York · Senate Apr 28, 2026

S 8628: Relates to notification of victims of crime, including sexual offenses, about the address confidentiality program

This bill requires prosecutors to inform crime victims - including those who experienced sexual offenses - about New York's address confidentiality program. The program helps protect victims' home addresses from public disclosure by providing alternative mailing addresses. Prosecutors must now specifically notify victims about this program during case proceedings, as mandated by the new requirements added to state law. This change directly affects victims navigating the justice system by ensuring they learn about available privacy protections. The bill amends existing laws to make this notification a standard step in victim communication.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeMandates prosecutors to notify crime victims about address confidentiality program, enhancing victim protection and safety within criminal justice system.95% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyBill mandates notification about address confidentiality program, enhancing victim data privacy protections by preventing public disclosure of home addresses.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Criminal Justice

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passed · New York · Senate Apr 28, 2026

S 2416: Relates to releasing victims of domestic violence from certain contracts

Authorizes one or more individuals who are under a shared contract to opt-out of such contract without a fee, penalty or charge due to status as a domestic violence victim; prohibits the company from transferring any contractual or billing responsibility of such shared contract to any other account holders on such shared contract; prevents companies from prohibiting a person who has opted-out due to domestic violence status to enter into a new contract.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill protects domestic violence victims' rights by removing financial barriers to exit contracts, aligning with criminal justice reform principles of victim protection and civil rights.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Criminal Justice

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passed · New York · Senate Apr 28, 2026

S 6814: Relates to notification of crime victims of the death of the accused

Requires the notification of a crime victim or witness of the death of the accused if such person dies during pending judicial proceedings or during any period of incarceration, parole or post-release supervision, or when an order of protection exists.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeRequires victim notification of accused's death during proceedings, enhancing victim rights and transparency in criminal justice process95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Criminal Justice

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passed · New York · Senate Apr 28, 2026

S 6750: Relates to forfeiture of a beneficiary's right to benefits upon conviction of a family offense

This bill allows retired New York state employees to change their designated beneficiaries if that beneficiary was convicted of a family offense (such as domestic violence) and the retiree was the complainant in the case. Retirees have 180 days from the conviction date to submit a written request to the retirement system to update their beneficiary or election. The law applies to all retirement systems covered under the state’s retirement and social security laws, including public education and city employee plans. The comptroller must notify retirees about this provision and create implementing rules. It directly affects retirees who are complainants in family offense cases involving their current beneficiaries.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill protects victims of family offenses by allowing beneficiary changes, advancing civil rights within criminal justice system92% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Criminal Justice

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passed · New York · Senate Apr 28, 2026

S 156: Relates to awards made to crime victims

Increases the amount for awards made to crime victims; specifies certain items of personal property which are necessary and essential to the welfare of a claimant.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill increases crime victim compensation and specifies essential personal property needs, directly supporting victim welfare within criminal justice system95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Criminal Justice

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