Criminal Justice

in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 3455: Relates to penalties for the promotion of prison contraband

Relates to penalties for the promotion of prison contraband; amends the definition of dangerous contraband; amends the promotion of prison contraband in the first degree to a class C felony.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeBill elevates prison contraband promotion to class C felony, increasing penalties. Matches 'oppose' indicators of stricter sentencing.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections

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in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 2451: Relates to factoring domestic violence convictions into certain family court decisions

Factors domestic violence convictions into family court decisions regarding visitation, custody and parental rights; provides that any parent undergoing mandatory, batterer specific rehabilitation measures shall only be granted supervised visitation.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill factors domestic violence convictions into family court decisions, mandates rehabilitation programs, and restricts unsupervised visitation for offenders - aligning with criminal justice reform priorities like victim safety and rehabilitation.92% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts Domestic Violence

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in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 4250: Increases the penalties for theft of a companion animal

This bill increases penalties for stealing companion animals (like dogs and cats) by amending New York's Agriculture and Markets Law. It raises the maximum jail sentence from six months to one year for offenders convicted of this theft, while keeping the maximum fine at $5,000. The change directly affects individuals who steal pets, making the punishment more severe under existing law. The bill amends Section 366 of the Agriculture and Markets Law, effective 90 days after enactment.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeIncreases maximum jail sentence for pet theft, raising penalties under sentencing laws, aligning with 'oppose' indicators of stricter sentencing.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections

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passed · New York · Assembly May 6, 2026

A 8263: Relates to requiring training of police department and state police personnel on the protocols of the address confidentiality program

Requires the secretary of state to develop and mandate training of police department personnel and state police officers on the protocols of the address confidentiality program.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeRequires police training on address confidentiality protocols, enhancing victim protection and police accountability in criminal justice.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Policing

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in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 2290: Protects the identity of witnesses of hate crimes in discovery proceedings

Protects the identity of witnesses of hate crimes in discovery proceedings by requiring identifying information to be redacted, unless the court rules otherwise for good cause shown.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeProtects hate crime witness identities in discovery, enhancing victim safety and encouraging reporting - aligns with civil rights and effective prosecution in criminal justice.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts

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in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 1973: Relates to prohibiting supervised injection sites

Relates to prohibiting supervised injection sites; provides that it shall be unlawful for any person to own, operate, work in or volunteer at a supervised injection site; defines terms and establishes penalties.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeBill prohibits supervised injection sites, opposing harm reduction initiatives in criminal justice reform that reduce drug-related offenses through medical supervision.95% confidence ✗ HealthcareOpposes HealthcareBill prohibits supervised injection sites, which are public health services for harm reduction, restricting access to a healthcare-related program.92% confidence

Sub-Topics Drug Policy Substance Abuse

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in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 2355: Establishes the parole board accountability act

Establishes the parole board accountability act which requires incarcerated individuals who are released on parole, via a vote that is not unanimous, be placed in the community where one of the two board members primarily reside; establishes the procedure of which of the two board member's community the releasee shall be released to.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill establishes parole board accountability procedures, aligning with criminal justice reform goals of enhancing oversight in corrections systems.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Probation & Parole

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in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 2396: Allows access to juvenile delinquency records for the purposes of a firearm background check

This bill (A 2396) requires juvenile delinquency records to be accessible during firearm background checks for applicants under 22 years old. It specifically directs the National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS) and the Division of State Police to include these records when conducting background checks under federal and state law for individuals under 22. The bill amends the Family Court Act to mandate this access, overriding other provisions that might restrict such record sharing. It directly affects young adults seeking to purchase firearms by expanding the scope of background checks to include certain juvenile court records.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill mandates juvenile delinquency records inclusion in firearm background checks for under-22s, strengthening law enforcement's ability to prevent gun violence by closing a loophole.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts Firearms Juvenile Justice

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in committee · New York · Assembly Jun 13, 2025

A 2440: Imposes certain requirements on institutions housing a defendant due to mental disease or defect prior to the discharge of such defendant

Requires each appropriate institution housing a defendant due to mental disease or defect to assign a critical time intervention care management team to the defendant and make a single point of access referral for the defendant prior to such defendant's discharge.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeMandates care management teams and referrals for mentally ill defendants pre-discharge, improving post-release outcomes and reducing recidivism through rehabilitation-focused continuity of care.90% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates mental health care teams and referrals for defendants with mental disorders, improving continuity of care and access to mental health services post-discharge.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Mental Health

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in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 2603: Relates to the offense of aggravated cruelty to animals

S 2603 expands the definition of "aggravated cruelty to animals" to include intentionally causing injury with a deadly weapon (like a gun or knife) or a dangerous instrument (like a broken bottle). This specifically targets individuals who use such objects to harm companion animals, making it a more severe offense. The law defines "aggravated cruelty" as conduct meant to cause extreme pain or carried out in a depraved, sadistic way. It directly affects people convicted of animal cruelty involving weapons, increasing penalties for those acts. The bill takes effect immediately upon enactment.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeBill expands criminal definition for animal cruelty, increasing sentencing severity, aligning with 'oppose' indicators of stricter penalties.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Firearms

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