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 Yes ✓ Supports Criminal Justice

Track

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

Track

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 Yes ✓ Supports Criminal Justice

Track

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

Track

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

Track

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 Yes ✓ Supports Criminal Justice

Track

passed · New York · Senate May 19, 2026

S 6460: Establishes the crimes of sex trafficking of a vulnerable person and predatory sex trafficking

Establishes the crimes of sex trafficking of a vulnerable person and predatory sex trafficking when a person intentionally advances or profits from prostitution of a vulnerable person.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeCreates new crimes targeting sex trafficking of vulnerable persons, strengthening legal protections and advancing criminal justice reform against exploitation.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Criminal Justice

Track

passed · New York · Senate May 19, 2026

S 611: Provides for victim statements at the sentencing of a defendant for a misdemeanor

This bill amends sentencing rules to allow victims to make statements at sentencing for specific misdemeanor cases. It directly affects victims of misdemeanors involving serious physical injury caused by vehicle-related offenses (like reckless driving) that were initially charged as felonies. The key provision requires courts to permit victim statements if requested at least 10 days before sentencing, and to notify defendants of this intent at least 7 days prior. If defendants don't receive timely notice, they may request a sentencing delay. The bill does not change sentencing outcomes but adds a procedural step for victim input in these defined cases.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill enables victim statements in misdemeanor sentencing, enhancing victim participation and aligning with criminal justice reform principles like victim rights and procedural fairness.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Criminal Justice

Track

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

Track