Criminal Justice

in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 3234: Relates to making technical corrections to ensure gender neutrality for the admission to practice law and preventing required disclosure of prior interaction with law enforcement or the criminal justice system

Relates to making technical corrections to ensure gender neutrality for the admission to practice law and preventing the character fitness questionnaire from inquiring into an applicant's prior interaction with law enforcement or the criminal justice system under certain circumstances.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticePrevents mandatory disclosure of law enforcement interactions for bar applicants, reducing barriers for those with criminal justice system history, aligning with reform goals.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Law Enforcement

Track

in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 7936: Relates to challenges to or questions related to certificates of compliance

Requires a court to evaluate whether the prosecution has established that the certificate of compliance or supplemental certificate of compliance was filed in good faith after exercising due diligence and making reasonable inquiries to learn of the discovery.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeRequires prosecution to demonstrate good faith in filing compliance certificates, enhancing procedural accountability in criminal cases.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts

Track

in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 8592: Establishes the crimes of reckless endangerment of an emergency service person in the first and second degrees

This bill establishes new felony crimes for reckless endangerment of emergency service personnel, including firefighters, police officers, and building inspectors. It defines "reckless endangerment in the second degree" as knowingly altering a building without a required permit, violating building or fire codes in a way that impedes exit, and this conduct results in injury to an emergency service person during an emergency evacuation. The crime becomes "first degree" if the same actions lead to the death of an emergency service person or if the offender has a previous conviction for this offense within ten years. These offenses are classified as Class E and Class D felonies, respectively.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeCreates new felony crimes to protect emergency personnel (firefighters, police), strengthening law enforcement safety within criminal justice framework.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Policing

Track

in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 2406: Establishes residential treatment facilities

Relates to establishing residential treatment facilities as an alternative to incarceration designated by the commissioner for the care and treatment of persons with serious mental illness who are accused of at least one felony level crime.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeProvides treatment alternative to incarceration for mental health offenders, reducing prison reliance and promoting rehabilitation in criminal justice system.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill establishes residential mental health treatment facilities as alternative to incarceration, directly advancing mental health services per topic description.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Mental Health

Track

in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 4192: Relates to the determination of appeals in criminal proceedings

Relates to the determination of appeals; requires a showing of harmlessness; requires a consideration of all errors or defects regardless of whether they were raised during trial if such error is the result of ineffective assistance of counsel or may have contributed to the verdict.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeRequires appellate review of ineffective counsel errors, protecting defendant rights and ensuring errors affecting verdicts are addressed, aligning with criminal justice reform indicators.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts

Track

in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 8333: Prohibits the detainment of minors with adult detainees

Bill A 8333 prohibits the detainment of individuals under the age of eighteen with adults in secure juvenile detention facilities within New York City. It mandates that no youth under 18 shall be housed in facilities also utilized for individuals aged 18 or older. The bill further specifies that alleged or convicted juvenile delinquents, adolescent offenders, or juvenile offenders between 18 and 21 years old will be detained in a newly defined "older youth detention facility." These facilities are to be operated by the New York City administration for children's services, specifically for this age group.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeSeparates minors from adult detainees, aligning with juvenile justice reform to improve safety and rehabilitation outcomes.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Juvenile Justice

Track

in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 6001: Relates to enacting the "fair court of appeals access act"

This bill, S 6001 ("Fair Court of Appeals Access Act"), changes how criminal defendants request permission to appeal to the New York Court of Appeals from decisions by intermediate appellate courts. It requires all such applications for "leave to appeal" to be submitted directly to the full Court of Appeals (not individual judges or justices), specifically to the chief judge who then assigns a judge to review the request. The bill mandates written submissions to the Court of Appeals clerk, requires notification to the opposing party, and demands that all decisions on these applications be filed immediately with the court clerk. This directly affects criminal defendants seeking to challenge intermediate court rulings by altering the procedural path to the highest appellate court.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeStreamlines appeals process for criminal defendants, requiring direct submission to full Court of Appeals, enhancing access to higher court review and protecting defendant rights.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts Judges

Track

in committee · New York · Assembly May 26, 2026

A 2628: Establishes the bullet-proof vests for officers fund

This bill (A 2628) establishes a dedicated state fund to provide bullet-proof vests for police officers and canine units. It creates a new "bullet-proof vests for officers fund" managed by the state comptroller, funded through voluntary taxpayer contributions added to income tax returns (starting 2026), existing transfers, and gifts. The fund specifically allocates money to the Division of Criminal Justice Services for purchasing vests, which are distributed at the commissioner’s discretion following statewide guidelines. The bill does not mandate taxes but allows taxpayers to donate directly via their state tax forms, with all funds restricted solely to this purpose.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill funds bullet-proof vests for police officers, directly supporting law enforcement operations within criminal justice system.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Policing

Track

in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 3769: Creates a temporary state commission to study sexual misconduct in state correctional facilities

Creates a temporary state commission to study and investigate sexual misconduct in state correctional facilities among incarcerated individuals and employees; devises a reporting system for notification of such misconduct to appropriate authorities; establishes duties and membership of such commission.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeCreates commission to study sexual misconduct in prisons, enhancing oversight and accountability in correctional facilities per criminal justice reform indicators.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections

Track

in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 8448: Increases the reimbursement amount authorized to be paid to localities maintaining incarcerated individuals convicted of felonies

Increases the reimbursement amount authorized to be paid to localities maintaining incarcerated individuals convicted of felonies to $300 per day per capita for the first 10 days, and $600 per day per capita for each day thereafter, or the actual per day per capita cost, whichever is more.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeIncreases daily reimbursement to localities for incarcerating felons, directly funding corrections system within criminal justice.90% confidence

Track