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.
Requires rates paid for rehabilitation and opioid treatment be pursuant to certain fee schedules published by the office of addiction services and supports.
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.
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 The bill modifies Family Court Act section 842 to mandate these checks and repeals an outdated section of the same law.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.
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.
This bill (S 8320) modifies court pleading rules for certain claims involving sexual offenses. It exempts claims alleging physical or psychological injury from sexual offenses (as defined in New York Penal Law) against children or adults aged 18+ from needing detailed technical descriptions of the claim. Specifically, it removes the requirement to specify exact details like the time, place, or nature of the injury in these cases, preventing dismissals based solely on pleading technicalities. The law applies immediately to new claims, pending cases, and some previously dismissed claims that are still appealable.
Requires that following the acquittal after trial or the sentencing of any defendant for a felony, the district attorney, or their designee, shall mail a written summary of the disposition of such felony to any victim who was not present at the time that the defendant was sentenced or acquitted after trial.
This bill (S 6735) changes courtroom procedures for joint trials involving two or more defendants. It clarifies that when defendants are tried together, they are treated as a single party for peremptory challenges (challenges to remove jurors without cause). Specifically, a peremptory challenge must be permitted if a majority of defendants agree, or if there is a tie (e.g., a 1-1 split with two defendants). The bill directly affects defendants in joint criminal trials by standardizing how challenges are handled during jury selection. It is procedural in nature, focusing on trial mechanics rather than substantive policy.
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.
Directs the superintendent of state police, in consultation with the office of children and family services, shall develop, maintain and disseminate to all members of the state police written policies and procedures, regarding child-sensitive arrest practices.
