Criminal Justice

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 · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 7050: Establishes a co-occurring disorders patient bill of rights

This bill establishes a "co-occurring disorders patient bill of rights" requiring state agencies (including mental health, social services, corrections, and education departments) to implement 11 specific rights for individuals with both mental health and substance use disorders. It directly affects patients and families by guaranteeing nondiscrimination, accurate diagnosis, integrated treatment matched to needs, continuity of care, family involvement, prevention access, peer support, and safe housing. Key mechanisms include mandating evidence-based services, requiring providers to be adequately resourced, and ensuring transparency through consumer input. The bill applies across all treatment settings - hospitals, schools, community programs - and takes effect 90 days after enactment.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeDirectly requires corrections departments to implement integrated treatment for co-occurring disorders, promoting rehabilitation and rights within criminal justice system.85% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill mandates 11 patient rights for co-occurring disorders, directly protecting patients and supporting integrated mental health/substance use services per topic description.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Mental Health Substance Abuse

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in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 501: Relates to reports by the office of special investigation

Requires the office of special investigation to conclude investigations into alleged criminal offenses committed by police officers resulting in a death and issue a report within sixty days.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeRequires timely reports on officer-involved deaths, enhancing police accountability per criminal justice reform indicators92% confidence

Sub-Topics Policing

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passed · New York · Senate Jun 12, 2025

R 1251: Establishes a plan setting forth an itemized list of grantees for certain appropriations for the 2025-26 state fiscal year for grants or reimbursement of certain expenses by local governments

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.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesMandates itemized funding distribution for essential legal services and violence prevention programs, promoting fiscal transparency and accountability in budget allocation.90% confidence ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeFunds legal services, domestic violence support, and violence prevention programs - directly advancing criminal justice services for indigent clients and community safety.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Domestic Violence

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in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 7865: Prohibits participation in torture of incarcerated individuals by health professionals

Prohibits participation in torture of incarcerated individuals by health professionals; prohibits a health care professional from engaging, assisting or planning the torture of an incarcerated individual; requires health care professionals to report torture.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeProhibits health professionals from torturing incarcerated individuals, protecting civil rights and enhancing oversight in corrections - directly advancing criminal justice reform.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareProhibits health professionals from participating in torture of incarcerated individuals, aligning with protecting patient rights and ethical standards in healthcare.85% confidence

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in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 5283: Authorizes the correctional association to inspect residential juvenile detention facilities

This bill authorizes New York's Correctional Association to regularly inspect all juvenile detention facilities operated by the Office of Children and Family Services (OCFS), including secure and non-secure residential facilities. It grants the Association unannounced inspection rights, access to incident reports, confidential contact with youth/staff, and the duty to immediately report abuse allegations to OCFS and other oversight bodies. The bill also requires OCFS to provide youth in these facilities access to a confidential hotline (via Prisoners' Legal Services) for reporting abuse, and mandates annual public reports from the Association on facility conditions with OCFS responses. It directly affects youth in OCFS-run facilities and establishes new oversight mechanisms to protect their welfare.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeAuthorizes unannounced inspections and abuse reporting in juvenile facilities, enhancing oversight and safety - directly advancing criminal justice reform through accountability measures.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Juvenile Justice

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in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 6112: Relates to prohibiting contracts between municipalities and law enforcement for the purpose of school safety in municipalities with populations of more than one million

Prohibits contracts between municipalities and law enforcement for the purpose of school safety in municipalities with populations of more than one million; voids contracts that have previously been made.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill prohibits law enforcement school safety contracts in large cities, reducing police presence in schools - a key criminal justice reform goal to address school-to-prison pipeline.80% confidence

Sub-Topics Law Enforcement

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passed · New York · Senate Jun 3, 2026

S 2666: Relates to the provision of breast pumps to certain incarcerated birth parents and allowing children to remain with their incarcerated birth parent for a period of time

Relates to the provision of breast pumps and related collection and storage materials to certain incarcerated nursing birth parents who are confined in or committed to an institution or local correctional facility with or without their child subject to specific time limitations; requires institutions and local correctional facilities to provide pumps and related materials to such incarcerated birth parents; requires the commissioner of corrections and community supervision to issue an annual report on data relating to incarcerated birth parents.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeMandates correctional facilities to provide breast pumps and allow infant visits, supporting family reunification and rehabilitation - key criminal justice reform goals.90% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates provision of breast pumps (medical device) for incarcerated nursing parents, directly improving maternal/infant health access in correctional facilities.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Probation & Parole

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in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 1261: Protects the rights of people in prisons, jails and forensic facilities

Protects the rights of people in prisons, jails and forensic facilities; limits the use of cell or segregated confinement; grants access to tablets, visitation, and certain items.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill explicitly protects rights of incarcerated individuals, limits segregated confinement, and improves access to resources, aligning with criminal justice reform goals.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections

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in committee · New York · Assembly Apr 23, 2026

A 7147: Relates to the definition of "direct relationship" for the purposes of article 23-A of the correction law regarding certain licensures and employment

Relates to the definition of "direct relationship" for the purposes of article 23-A of the correction law regarding licensures and employment of persons previously convicted of one or more criminal offenses.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeClarifies employment eligibility for formerly convicted individuals, reducing barriers to reentry and aligning with criminal justice reform goals of reducing recidivism.85% confidence

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