Criminal Justice

in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 4521: Enacts the "criminal forfeiture process act"; repealer

Bill S 4521, known as the "criminal forfeiture process act," replaces the existing process for the criminal forfeiture of property. It directly affects individuals whose property is linked to specific felony offenses, such as controlled substance, cannabis, prostitution, or driving under the influence crimes, and prohibits civil forfeiture under this article. The bill requires a criminal conviction for property to be forfeited, with the forfeiture proceeding taking place as part of the criminal trial. It also includes provisions to protect the rights of "innocent owners" and "secured interest holders" of property that might otherwise be subject to seizure.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeRequires criminal conviction for property forfeiture, replacing civil forfeiture and protecting individual rights - aligns with criminal justice reform principles.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✗ Opposes Criminal Justice

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died · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 1746: Provides for the review of policies and practices pertaining to emerging infectious disease outbreaks in correctional facilities

Provides for the review of policies and practices pertaining to infectious disease outbreaks in correctional facilities, including the treatment and prevention of the disease among incarcerated individuals and staff.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill reviews infectious disease policies in correctional facilities, improving health standards within criminal justice's correctional component.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill requires review of infectious disease policies in correctional facilities to improve treatment/prevention, strengthening public health protocols within healthcare settings.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Criminal Justice

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in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 5976: Authorizes a study by the department of corrections and community supervision pertaining to the treatment of aging prison populations

This bill authorizes the Department of Corrections and Community Supervision (DOCCS) to conduct a study on the treatment and conditions of aging prison populations. The study will profile current elderly incarcerated individuals, project future populations, and examine factors contributing to their growth. It will also assess the adequacy of specialized housing, medical care, and programs provided to meet their unique needs, such as accessibility and accommodations for diminished capacity. DOCCS must report its findings, conclusions, and legislative recommendations to the governor and legislature within one year.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill authorizes study on aging prison populations' treatment, assessing care adequacy and needs, aligning with reform goals to improve correctional conditions for vulnerable inmates.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Criminal Justice

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died · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 4940: Establishes a youth outreach department within the state police, city, village, town, and district police departments, and sheriff departments

Establishes a youth outreach department within the state police, city, village, town, and district police departments, and sheriff departments for the purposes of designing and carrying out youth activities organized by the department.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeCreates youth outreach programs within police departments to prevent crime and build community trust, aligning with criminal justice reform goals like reducing recidivism through early intervention.90% confidence | Rep's Stance Voted absent

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died · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 4774: Establishes the offense of vehicular homicide

This bill creates a new criminal offense called "vehicular homicide" for drivers who cause another person's death through reckless conduct showing extreme disregard for human life. It directly affects drivers whose actions - like severe speeding or ignoring traffic signals - result in fatalities, even if they didn’t intend to cause death. The law classifies vehicular homicide as a class B felony, the same penalty as second-degree murder in New York, making it a serious criminal charge. This change would replace or add to existing laws for deaths caused by negligent or reckless driving.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeBill creates new felony offense (vehicular homicide) with class B felony penalty (same as second-degree murder), expanding criminalization and increasing penalties for reckless driving causing death.95% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationCreates strict penalties for reckless driving causing death, enhancing road safety standards under vehicle regulations.95% confidence | Rep's Stance Voted absent

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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 Yes ✗ Opposes Criminal Justice

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in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 4160: Provides voice communication service to incarcerated people at no cost; repealer

This bill (S 4160) requires state correctional facilities to provide free voice communication services (like phone calls) to incarcerated individuals, with no cost to the person initiating or receiving the call. It prohibits state agencies from charging fees or generating revenue from these communication services and mandates that in-person visit programs remain available - digital services cannot replace them. The law repeals an existing correction law section and takes effect April 1, 2026, applying to new or renewed communication contracts after that date. It directly affects incarcerated people in state prisons and youth detention centers by guaranteeing free access to basic voice communication.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeProvides free communication services to incarcerated people, promoting family connections and rehabilitation - key criminal justice reform goals that reduce recidivism and protect civil rights.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 No ✗ Opposes Criminal Justice

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in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 439: Enacts "the prison wage act" relating to payment for labor performed by incarcerated individuals

This bill, known as "the prison wage act," mandates compensation for incarcerated individuals performing labor in state and local correctional facilities. It requires that these individuals be paid at least one-half of the state's minimum wage for any work performed or for which a wage would typically be due. This compensation applies to various types of labor, including general facility work, tasks for nonprofit organizations, and participation in work release programs. Additionally, hourly incentive allowances for educational and training programs must also meet this minimum wage standard.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeMandates fair wages for incarcerated labor, promoting rehabilitation and civil rights within corrections - directly advancing criminal justice reform.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentMandates minimum wage compensation for incarcerated laborers, advancing wage standards for vulnerable workforce under Labor & Employment policies.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✗ Opposes Criminal Justice

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died · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 8172: Prohibits the obscuring of body-worn or stationary cameras in correctional institutions

Prohibits employees of the department of corrections and community supervision or a correctional facility from willfully obstructing, blocking or otherwise obscuring a body-worn or stationary camera from recording activities within a correctional facility for the purpose of hindering an existing or potential investigation, concealing a crime or criminal activity, or concealing otherwise unlawful behavior.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeProhibits obstructing cameras in correctional facilities to prevent concealment of misconduct, enhancing transparency and accountability in corrections oversight.95% confidence | Rep's Stance Voted absent

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