Criminal Justice

in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 8603: Enacts the "forensic rehabilitation act"; repealer

Enacts the "forensic rehabilitation act" relating to the custody of individuals following a verdict or plea of not responsible by reason of mental disease or defect.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeEnacts forensic rehabilitation for mentally ill individuals post-verdict, promoting reform and reducing recidivism through treatment-focused custody provisions.95% confidence

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in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 327: Requires that a defendant must be over twenty-five years old to be guilty of felony murder

This bill (A 327) changes the felony murder rule in New York law by requiring defendants to be over 25 years old to face felony murder charges. It directly affects individuals under 25 who commit certain violent crimes - like robbery, burglary, or kidnapping - that result in death. The key provision amends the penal law to add an age threshold: only defendants aged 25 or older can be charged with felony murder when causing death during these specific offenses. This eliminates felony murder liability for under-25 defendants in the listed scenarios, though it does not change liability for other murder charges.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeEliminates felony murder charges for under-25 defendants, reducing harsh sentencing for young adults and advancing criminal justice reform by limiting strict liability prosecutions.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Violent Crime

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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 · Assembly Jun 5, 2026

A 3936: Requires the office of addiction services and supports to collect certain demographic data

Requires the office of addiction services and supports to collect certain demographic data for incarcerated individuals in medication assisted treatment programs.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeCollects demographic data for MAT programs in corrections, supporting rehabilitation and potential reform by tracking program effectiveness for incarcerated individuals.85% confidence

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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 5016: Authorizes daily visitation at all general confinement correctional facilities

S 5016 requires all general confinement correctional facilities in New York to offer visitation seven days a week. This directly affects inmates and their family members or visitors who previously may have faced limited visitation days. The bill adds a new provision (Section 138-b) to the Correction Law mandating weekly visitation access without restriction. It takes effect one year after enactment.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeMandates weekly visitation access in correctional facilities, supporting rehabilitation and family ties to reduce recidivism per criminal justice reform indicators.95% confidence

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in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 3992: Relates to racial and ethnic impact statements on bills

S 3992, the "racial and ethnic equity act," requires state agencies to prepare impact statements for bills that could affect correctional, public assistance, or child welfare systems. Before such bills can be considered by legislative committees, the Division of Criminal Justice Services, Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance, or Office of Children and Family Services must analyze how the bill would impact racial and ethnic minority populations (Black, Latino, Native American, Asian/Pacific Islander). These statements must include data on projected effects - like rates per 10,000 people - on each minority group and cover at least three fiscal years. The bill directly affects New York legislators, state agencies, and minority communities by mandating this review for laws related to sentencing, welfare access, or child welfare placement.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeRequires racial impact statements for correctional bills, promoting equitable reform by analyzing effects on minority populations in criminal justice systems.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Sentencing

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in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 3928: Relates to the releasing of individuals charged with a crime under non-monetary bail conditions in order to receive mental health screening or be admitted to a hospital as a result of a mental illness; repealer

Relates to releasing individuals charged with a crime under non-monetary bail conditions in order to receive mental health screening or be admitted to a hospital as a result of a mental illness which is likely to result in harm to such individual or others.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeEnables mental health diversion from bail system, aligning with reform goals to reduce incarceration for mental health issues.90% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill enables mental health access by allowing non-monetary bail for screenings/hospitalization, improving patient access to mental health services per topic description.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Hospitals Mental Health Public Health

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in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 1264: Allows the implementation of body cameras on police officers notwithstanding binding arbitration

This bill allows police departments to implement body cameras without being required to provide additional pay through existing labor agreements. It specifically invalidates any collective bargaining agreement or arbitration award that would mandate pay increases for officers wearing body cameras or for the additional duties they entail. The law prevents binding arbitration from being used to enforce such pay adjustments, giving departments flexibility to adopt body cameras without triggering new compensation obligations. The bill directly affects police departments, unions, and officers whose contracts might have previously included arbitration-based pay provisions for body camera duties.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesPrevents additional government spending by invalidating arbitration mandates for officer pay, promoting fiscal responsibility in budget management.95% confidence ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill enables body camera implementation without pay mandates, directly advancing police accountability measures in criminal justice reform.90% confidence ✗ Labor & EmploymentOpposes Labor & EmploymentBill invalidates collective bargaining agreements requiring pay increases for body cameras, directly limiting workers' ability to negotiate compensation for new duties through arbitration.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Policing Collective Bargaining

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in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 3596: Enacts "the prison wage act" relating to payment for labor performed by incarcerated individuals

This bill requires incarcerated individuals in New York state correctional facilities to be paid for labor performed, setting a minimum standard of at least half the state's minimum wage. It directly affects people held in state and local prisons who work in facility operations, community programs, or nonprofit volunteer roles. Key provisions mandate compensation for all work described in the law, including kitchen duties, maintenance, and specialized facility tasks, with pay calculated based on minimum wage standards. The law updates multiple correction law sections to ensure all such labor is compensated fairly, replacing previous unpaid or low-wage labor practices.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeRequires fair wages for incarcerated workers, promoting rehabilitation and reducing recidivism through meaningful labor opportunities in correctional facilities.90% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentMandates minimum wage payment for incarcerated workers, directly advancing wage standards and workers' rights per bill's compensation requirements.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Labor Standards Minimum Wage

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