Criminal Justice

in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 4079: Establishes the crime of coercive control

Relates to establishing the crime of coercive control; provides that a person is guilty of coercive control when such person engages in a course of conduct against a member of such person's same family or household, without the victim's consent, which results in limiting or restricting, in full or in part, the victim's behavior, movement, associations or access to or use of such victim's own finances or financial information; provides that coercive control is a class E felony.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeCreates new class E felony for coercive control, strengthening victim protections and aligning with criminal justice reform to address intimate partner violence.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Domestic Violence

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in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 296: Elevates assault of a code enforcement official to the class D felony of assault in the second degree

This bill elevates assaulting a code enforcement official to a class D felony (second-degree assault), making it a more serious criminal charge. It directly affects code enforcement officials (who inspect buildings, zoning, and health codes) and individuals who assault them, by adding them to a list of protected personnel under New York's assault law. The key change is expanding the existing penal law to specifically include code enforcement officials among those whose assault carries felony penalties, rather than lesser offenses. This policy shift increases potential legal consequences for violence against these public safety workers.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill elevates assault on code enforcement officials to felony, strengthening legal protection for these officials under criminal justice sentencing policies.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Violent Crime

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in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 6111: Relates to justifying the use of force by police officers and peace officers and to the excessive use of police force

This New York State bill (S 6111) revises legal standards for when police and peace officers may use force during arrests or to prevent escapes. It clarifies that officers may only use force (including deadly force) when reasonably necessary, requiring consideration of less-lethal alternatives and de-escalation tactics before resorting to physical force. The bill also adds new offenses for "excessive use of force" (Sections 120.75-120.77) and specifies that force is unjustified if applied to someone incapable of resisting or if the officer created unnecessary risk. The law directly affects all law enforcement officers in New York and individuals interacting with them during law enforcement encounters.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeAdds new offenses for excessive force and mandates de-escalation, enhancing police accountability within criminal justice reform.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Policing

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in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 5844: Prevents the overdetention of persons due to an outstanding warrant

This bill limits how long someone can be held in a New York state or local jail solely because another state has an outstanding warrant for them. It requires that a person not be detained beyond their scheduled release date for more than 3 days unless the jail was notified the other jurisdiction plans to act on the warrant. The law directly affects individuals detained due to out-of-state warrants and ensures they aren't held unnecessarily while awaiting transfer. The key provision creates a strict 3-day time limit for such detentions, with an exception only when the facility received prior notice from the other jurisdiction.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticePrevents unnecessary detention due to out-of-state warrants, aligning with criminal justice reform by protecting civil rights and reducing overincarceration.95% confidence ✓ ImmigrationSupports ImmigrationPrevents unnecessary detention due to out-of-state warrants, protecting individuals from prolonged holding without federal action, aligning with immigrant rights safeguards.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Detention Enforcement Sanctuary Policies

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passed · New York · Senate Apr 28, 2026

S 6814: Relates to notification of crime victims of the death of the accused

Requires the notification of a crime victim or witness of the death of the accused if such person dies during pending judicial proceedings or during any period of incarceration, parole or post-release supervision, or when an order of protection exists.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeRequires victim notification of accused's death during proceedings, enhancing victim rights and transparency in criminal justice process95% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Probation & Parole Victims' Rights

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failed · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 4244: Allows for principals to be remanded into custody for drug treatment where there is a risk of continued substance abuse

Allows for principals to be remanded into custody for drug treatment where there is a risk of continued substance abuse or the use of an opioid antagonist was required.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill redirects offenders to drug treatment instead of incarceration, promoting rehabilitation and reducing recidivism - key criminal justice reform elements.90% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill mandates drug treatment for substance abuse instead of incarceration, directly supporting healthcare access for addiction treatment through opioid antagonist use.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Drug Policy Substance Abuse

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in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 6859: Precludes local criminal court from issuing a warrant of arrest based on any simplified information when the defendant has not been arraigned

Precludes a local criminal court from issuing a warrant of arrest based on any simplified information when the defendant has not been arraigned and has not come under the control of the court with respect to the charges in the simplified information; provides that this formerly applied only to simplified traffic information.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeRestricts warrant issuance without arraignment, protecting defendant due process rights, aligning with criminal justice reform indicators.92% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts

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in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 8567: Redefines culpability from not responsible by reason of mental disease or defect to responsible but for mental disease or defect

Redefines culpability from not responsible by reason of mental disease or defect to responsible but for mental disease or defect; amends the procedures to be followed following a verdict or plea of responsible but for mental disease or defect; establishes maximum and minimum terms for persons sentenced upon such a verdict or plea.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeRedefines culpability to require mental health consideration in sentencing, aligning with criminal justice reform efforts to address mental illness within the justice system.85% confidence

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in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 1049: Enacts the "gender identity respect, dignity and safety act"

Enacts the "gender identity respect, dignity and safety act"; relates to the treatment and placement of incarcerated individuals based upon gender identity; requires that incarcerated individuals in state and local correctional facilities who have a gender identity different from their assigned sex at birth be addressed and have access to commissary items, clothing and other materials that are consistent with the person's gender identity; establishes that incarcerated individuals shall be placed in a correctional facility with persons of the gender that most closely aligns with such person's self-attested gender identity unless the person opts out of such placement.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill mandates correctional facilities to treat incarcerated individuals consistent with gender identity, protecting civil rights in corrections.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections

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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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