Criminal Justice (Violent Crime)

in committee · New York · Senate Mar 27, 2025

S 6978: Removes statute of limitations for certain civil actions related to child sexual assault offenses

This bill removes time limits for civil lawsuits related to childhood sexual abuse. It allows victims to file lawsuits at any time after the abuse occurred, regardless of when it happened, as long as they were under 18 at the time. The law covers civil claims for physical, psychological, or other injuries from offenses including rape, incest, sex trafficking, and child sexual performances as defined in New York's penal law. It specifically applies to cases where the abuse occurred before the victim turned 18, and does not require a prior criminal conviction to file a civil claim.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeRemoves statute of limitations for child sexual abuse civil cases, enabling victims to seek justice regardless of time elapsed, aligns with victim rights protection in criminal justice reform.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Human Trafficking Violent Crime

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in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 1190: Relates to on duty auxiliary police officers

Relates to an increase in punishment for certain actions against on-duty auxiliary police officers such as criminally negligent homicide, assault or menacing of such officer.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeIncreases penalties for assaults on police officers, expanding criminalization per 'oppose' indicators.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Policing Violent Crime

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in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 3465: Relates to establishing the crime of domestic violence

This bill establishes "domestic violence" as a specific class A misdemeanor offense under New York law. It applies when someone commits certain defined misdemeanors (like assault, menacing, or harassment) against a person with whom they have a close relationship, including current/former spouses, parents/guardians, co-parents, or cohabitants. The law specifies exactly which misdemeanor offenses qualify and defines the required relationships between the defendant and victim. It creates a new legal category for these cases, making them punishable as the most serious type of misdemeanor. The bill is currently referred to the Codes committee for further review.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeCreates specific legal category for domestic violence offenses, enhancing victim protection and consistent prosecution under criminal justice framework.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Domestic Violence Violent Crime

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in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 972: Establishes the crime of homicide by sale of an opiate controlled substance

S 972 creates a new class A-1 felony offense for unlawfully selling or transporting an opiate-controlled substance (defined as any opiate or opium derivative listed in New York's public health law schedules I-V) that causes another person's death. It directly affects individuals who sell or transport such substances, including those involved in the illicit drug trade. The bill includes a specific defense if the defendant jointly used the substance with the deceased for mutual consumption. This law imposes the highest felony penalty for these actions, distinct from standard homicide charges. The bill, nicknamed "Laree's Law," will take effect 90 days after enactment.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeCreates new class A-1 felony for opiate sales causing death, increasing penalties and expanding criminalization of drug sales.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Drug Policy Violent Crime

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in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 1387: Includes exposing a first responder or correction officer to fentanyl, a fentanyl derivative or an opiate containing fentanyl or fentanyl derivative in the definition of the offense of assault in the first degree

Includes exposing a first responder or correction officer to fentanyl, a fentanyl derivative or an opiate containing fentanyl or a fentanyl derivative in the definition of the offense of assault in the first degree.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeExpands assault definition to include fentanyl exposure against officers, increasing criminalization of offenses rather than advancing reform or protections.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Violent Crime

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in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 8221: Relates to assaults against water authority employees

Bill A 8221 aims to enhance protections for employees of public water authorities. It elevates the charge for assault to a felony when committed against these employees. This applies if the assault occurs while the employee is performing their lawful duties of supplying water to state residents. The bill amends the penal law to include such water authority employees in a category of professionals whose assault, under specified conditions, carries increased penalties.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeBill elevates assault to felony for water authority employees, increasing penalties under sentencing policy.90% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentBill elevates assault penalties against water authority employees during duties, directly enhancing workplace safety protections for workers as defined in Labor & Employment policies.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Violent Crime

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in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 1319: Includes assault of a vehicle license examiner to assault in the second degree

This bill amends New York's penal law to classify assaulting a Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) employee while they're performing their official duties as second-degree assault. It specifically adds this scenario to the existing definition of second-degree assault, making it a more serious criminal charge. The change directly affects individuals who physically harm DMV examiners during work-related tasks, elevating the offense from a lesser charge to second-degree assault.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeBill expands criminalization by elevating assault on DMV employees to second-degree assault, increasing severity of punishment without reform indicators.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Violent Crime

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in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 4285: Increase the types of firearms that are to be included in the firearm ballistic identification database

This bill requires firearm manufacturers shipping weapons into New York to include a sealed container with each firearm containing a shell casing discharged from that weapon. It also mandates gunsmiths and dealers to submit these casings to the state police within 10 days if manufacturers fail to comply, or obtain them through a state-operated program. The state police will maintain an automated database storing ballistic information to help match shell casings to specific firearms during investigations. This expands the current database to cover all firearms defined in the penal law, including rifles and assault weapons, directly affecting manufacturers, dealers, and law enforcement.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill creates ballistic database for law enforcement to match casings to firearms, enhancing crime-solving capabilities in criminal justice investigations.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Firearms Policing Violent Crime

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in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 4624: Establishes the crime of assault on a pregnant individual

This bill creates a new class D felony offense for intentionally or knowingly causing injury to a person known to be pregnant, including injuries resulting in pregnancy termination. It specifically excludes medical procedures like abortions (with consent) or general medical treatment from this law. The law aligns with existing public health regulations and updates felony classifications to include this offense. This directly affects individuals who assault pregnant people and healthcare providers performing authorized medical care.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeCreates new felony offense (assault on pregnant individuals), expanding criminalization per indicators, without reform elements like reduced sentences or enhanced rights.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Violent Crime

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failed · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 3334: Relates to assault on a member of an auxiliary police program

This bill amends New York's penal law to explicitly include "on-duty auxiliary police officers" within the legal definition of assault in the second degree. It directly affects auxiliary police officers by ensuring that injuring them while they're performing duties is treated as assault in the second degree, aligning their protection with that of regular police officers and other first responders. The key change is adding auxiliary officers to the list of protected personnel in the statute, without creating new penalties or altering existing legal standards for assault.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill explicitly expands legal protection for auxiliary police officers under assault statutes, aligning their status with regular officers to strengthen law enforcement safety.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Policing Violent Crime

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