Criminal Justice (Law Enforcement)

in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 7207: Relates to providing increased and uniform training requirements and outreach for law enforcement and establishes law enforcement peer support

Relates to providing increased and uniform training requirements including implicit bias, use of force, first aid and firearm training, and outreach for law enforcement; establishes law enforcement peer support through the office of mental health.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeMandates enhanced law enforcement training on implicit bias/use of force and establishes peer support, directly promoting accountability and reform in criminal justice practices.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Firearms Law Enforcement Policing

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in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 3613: Prohibits the use of certain chemical incapacitants by law enforcement agencies

This bill prohibits all law enforcement agencies from using chemical incapacitants (like tear gas or similar agents) except for pepper spray under strict limits. Specifically, pepper spray is restricted to liquid canisters no larger than 0.75 ounces and cannot be used for crowd control. The law defines "law enforcement agency" broadly to include any unit authorized to investigate or arrest for felonies, and "chemical incapacitant" to cover toxic chemicals, munitions designed to cause harm, and related equipment. This directly affects all state and local law enforcement agencies by restricting their use of chemical agents during operations.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeRestricts police use of chemical incapacitants (e.g., tear gas), enhancing accountability and protecting civil rights - key criminal justice reform indicators.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Law Enforcement

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in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 5334: Requires law enforcement agents and peace officers to record information pertaining to the race of persons they have meaningful interactions with in their memo books

Requires law enforcement agents and peace officers to record information in their memo books pertaining to the race of persons with whom they have meaningful interactions.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeMandates recording race in law enforcement interactions to enhance accountability and address racial bias, a core criminal justice reform indicator.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Law Enforcement

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in committee · New York · Senate Feb 18, 2026

S 6786: Establishes law enforcement officer grant funds and firefighter grant funds

Establishes law enforcement officer grant funds and firefighter grant funds to cover expenses related to hiring law enforcement officers and firefighters and equipment and resources for such officers and firefighters.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesCreates new state grant funds for law enforcement/firefighter hiring and equipment, directly increasing public safety budget allocations.95% confidence ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeFunds law enforcement officer hiring and equipment, directly supporting criminal justice operations per bill's purpose.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Law Enforcement

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in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 1096: Establishes the "protect our privacy (POP) act" to impose limitations on the use of drones for law enforcement purposes

Establishes the "protect our privacy (POP) act" to impose limitations on the use of drones for law enforcement purposes; prohibits the use of drones by law enforcement at concerts, protests, demonstrations, or other actions protected by the first amendment.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeRestricts law enforcement drone use at protests (1st Amendment), protecting civil liberties and enhancing oversight - aligns with criminal justice reform indicators.95% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyRestricts drone surveillance at protests, directly protecting privacy rights under technology policy.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Law Enforcement

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in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 2293: Relates to training for police officers before allowing them to carry or use a firearm

Relates to prohibiting police officers from carrying or using a firearm during any phase of the officer's official duties unless the officer has satisfactorily completed a course of training that meets or exceeds the minimum standards established by the municipal police training council.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeRequires mandatory firearm training for officers before use, enhancing police accountability - a key criminal justice reform indicator.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Firearms Law Enforcement Policing

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in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 5806: Relates to the powers and duties of the commission on forensic science regarding familial DNA search regulations

This bill (S 5806) prohibits law enforcement from using New York's state DNA identification index to conduct familial DNA searches, which would identify potential relatives of a person whose DNA is in the database. It directly affects law enforcement agencies and the Commission on Forensic Science, which manages the DNA index. The key mechanism is an explicit ban in the law: it amends policies to require standards that "prohibit a familial DNA search" and adds a new rule stating "No search may be performed... for the purpose of identification of an offender... if the offender may be a biological relative." The law takes effect immediately, nullifying any conflicting existing rules.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeProhibits familial DNA searches to protect civil rights, aligning with criminal justice reform by limiting law enforcement overreach.95% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyProhibits familial DNA searches using state DNA databases, strengthening data privacy by preventing unauthorized identification of relatives through forensic databases.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Law Enforcement

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in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 1567: Requires police officers to attend annual diversity training seminars

This bill requires all state police officers and municipal/town police departments to provide annual diversity training to every officer. It mandates training on topics including race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, religion, age, and disability, plus conflict reduction techniques. Funding for these sessions will come from seized asset funds and state criminal justice budgets, disbursed as grants to municipalities. The program must begin by January 1, 2026, and applies to all current and new officers across all police agencies in the state.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeMandates annual diversity training for police on protected characteristics to reduce bias and improve accountability, directly advancing criminal justice reform goals.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Law Enforcement Policing

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in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 5960: Requires the superintendent of the state police to establish uniform investigatory standards when there is a shooting of a civilian by a police officer

Requires the superintendent of the state police to establish uniform investigatory standards when there is a shooting of a civilian by a police officer.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeMandates uniform investigatory standards for police-civilian shootings, enhancing police accountability in criminal justice reform.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Law Enforcement Policing

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in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 2677: Relates to the appointment of a special independent counsel

Provides that in instances involving alleged criminal offense or offenses committed by a person, whether or not formally on duty, who is a peace officer as defined in section 2.10 of the criminal procedure law and employed or contracted by a corrections agency, or is a peace officer as defined in subdivision twenty-five of section 2.10 of the criminal procedure law, concerning any incident in which the death of a person, whether in custody or not, is caused by an act or omission of such peace officer, the attorney general shall have the authority to transfer the investigatory authority and criminal jurisdiction under this section to an individual or individuals independent of the office of the attorney general.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill creates independent counsel for officer-involved deaths, enhancing law enforcement accountability - a key criminal justice reform indicator.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Law Enforcement

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