Criminal Justice

passed · New York · Senate May 29, 2026

S 6442: Directs the commissioner of the division of criminal justice services to study gender disparity in sentencing outcomes

Directs the commissioner of the division of criminal justice services to study gender disparity in sentencing outcomes and make a report to the governor and the legislature of their findings, conclusions and recommendations.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeStudies gender disparity in sentencing, a step toward reforming inequitable practices in criminal justice.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✗ Opposes Criminal Justice

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passed · New York · Senate May 29, 2026

S 626: Adds ammunition to the list of prohibited items to purchase or dispose of after certain convictions

This bill adds ammunition to the list of items prohibited from purchase or disposal after certain criminal convictions. It expands existing law that already bans firearm transactions for people barred from firearm possession due to prior convictions or disabilities. Now, individuals prohibited from owning firearms cannot legally buy or give away ammunition. Violating this provision would be classified as a class D felony.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeExpands restrictions on convicted individuals' access to ammunition, increasing criminalization and reducing defendant rights per bill's prohibition on ammunition transactions.92% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✓ Supports Criminal Justice

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passed · New York · Senate May 29, 2026

S 7928: Limits the suspension or revocation of an individual's driver's license when participating in a treatment court program

Limits the suspension or revocation of an individual's driver's license when an individual takes a certain plea involving participation in certain treatment court programs or the court allowed the individual to withdraw their previously entered plea of guilty, and plead guilty to a lesser charge or the department revoked or suspended the individual's driver's license upon a plea of guilty and at least six months have elapsed since such initial plea.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill prevents driver's license suspension for treatment court participants, promoting rehabilitation over punitive measures in criminal justice reform.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✗ Opposes Criminal Justice

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passed · New York · Senate May 29, 2026

S 5265: Requires screening incarcerated individuals for eligibility for public benefits prior to release

Requires screening incarcerated individuals for eligibility for public benefits prior to release and assistance in applying for such programs; requires officials to seek waivers from the USDA for eligibility for such program.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill promotes post-release reintegration by connecting incarcerated individuals to SNAP, reducing recidivism through rehabilitation support.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✗ Opposes Criminal Justice

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passed · New York · Senate May 28, 2026

S 5134: Establishes a uniform electronic medical records system for correctional facilities

Directs the commissioner of corrections and community supervision, in consultation with the commissioner of health and the commissioner of mental health, to develop a uniform electronic medical records system to be utilized by all correctional facilities in the state.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeCreates uniform medical records in correctional facilities, improving healthcare access and oversight in prisons, supporting rehabilitation and inmate health within criminal justice system.85% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareCreates uniform EMR system in correctional facilities, improving medical record access and coordination for inmates' healthcare, involving health/mental health officials.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✗ Opposes Criminal Justice

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passed both · New York · Assembly May 28, 2026

A 6666: Requires the commissioner of corrections and community supervision to make facility water testing results accessible to the public, incarcerated individuals and correctional facility staff

Requires the commissioner of corrections and community supervision to make correctional facility water testing results accessible directly, upon request, to incarcerated individuals and correctional facility staff in such facilities and make such water testing results available to the public on the website of the department.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeRequires public access to correctional facility water testing, promoting transparency in corrections - a criminal justice reform indicator.70% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Criminal Justice

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passed · New York · Senate May 28, 2026

S 1192: Establishes an alternative resolution program for service members and veterans accused of certain felonies

S 1192 establishes an alternative resolution program within the criminal procedure law for service members and veterans accused of certain felonies. This program applies to individuals whose military service caused or exacerbated conditions like post-traumatic stress disorder, traumatic brain injury, or substance abuse, which may have contributed to their alleged crime. Courts would identify eligible service members or veterans and order evaluations to assess their condition and its connection to the offense. The bill aims to provide treatment for these service-related ailments, with the possibility of reducing or dismissing charges upon successful completion of the treatment program.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill establishes alternative resolution for veterans with military-related conditions, promoting rehabilitation over punishment and aligning with criminal justice reform to reduce recidivism.90% confidence ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransBill establishes an alternative resolution program for veterans with military-related conditions (PTSD, TBI, substance abuse) to avoid standard criminal penalties, recognizing service impact and addressing root causes through evaluations and treat...90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Criminal Justice

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passed both · New York · Senate May 28, 2026

S 3974: Relates to failure to complete a program for time allowances due to circumstances beyond an individual's control

This bill (S 3974) amends New York State correction law to ensure incarcerated individuals do not lose earned time allowances if they fail to complete assigned work or treatment programs due to circumstances beyond their control (e.g., medical issues or facility disruptions). It specifically revises sections of the correction law to clarify that time credits - earned through good behavior, program participation, or educational/vocational achievements - must not be withheld for such unavoidable circumstances. The policy directly affects incarcerated people in state facilities who qualify for time reductions under existing programs. The change aligns with current provisions but explicitly prevents punitive withholding of time allowances for factors outside an individual’s control.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticePrevents loss of earned time credits for unavoidable program failures, supporting rehabilitation and reducing recidivism risks in correctional systems.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✗ Opposes Criminal Justice

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signed · New York · Assembly May 26, 2026

A 11008: Relates to the effectiveness of certain county-tribal detention agreements between the Oneida Indian Nation and Oneida county and Madison county

This bill makes permanent two specific agreements between the Oneida Indian Nation and Oneida and Madison counties regarding the detention of adults remanded by the tribal court. By amending state law, the legislation ratifies and validates these contracts, which allow incarcerated individuals to be held in county correctional facilities under tribal jurisdiction. The measure ensures that the rights and responsibilities outlined in the deals remain fully enforceable for the parties involved. While the agreements were originally set to expire in 2027 and 2026 respectively, this action confirms their status and extends their validity through 2033.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill validates tribal-state detention agreements, enhancing tribal jurisdiction and legal clarity in corrections.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Criminal Justice

passed · New York · Senate May 19, 2026

S 8624: Permits courts to award punitive damages against an estate for sexual abuse

This bill allows courts to award punitive damages against the estate of a deceased person accused of sexual abuse, assault, misconduct, or sex trafficking of minors or adults. It removes the barrier of the defendant's death, enabling victims to pursue punitive damages against the personal representative of the estate in civil lawsuits. The standard for proving punitive damages under this law is a "preponderance of the evidence," and the bill explicitly states that such claims cannot be limited or ended by the defendant's death. It applies to all pending and future cases filed on or after the effective date.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeEnables victims to pursue punitive damages against estates of abusers, enhancing accountability and access to justice in sexual abuse cases, aligning with criminal justice reform goals.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✗ Opposes Criminal Justice

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