Criminal Justice

in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 2361: Relates to adolescent offenders authorized to be removed to family court

This bill amends New York's criminal procedure law to exclude certain adolescent offenders from being transferred to family court. Specifically, it exempts minors who displayed a shotgun, rifle, or deadly weapon during their offense, or who were illegally in possession of a loaded firearm, from the category of offenders eligible for family court jurisdiction. The change means these individuals would instead face prosecution in adult criminal court rather than juvenile family court. The law directly affects adolescent defendants charged with offenses involving firearms, altering the criteria for court placement. This policy change takes effect on November 1st following enactment.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeExcludes violent juvenile offenders from family court jurisdiction, directing them to adult criminal court instead of juvenile rehabilitation, opposing reform efforts to keep minors in juvenile system.92% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts Firearms Juvenile Justice

Track

in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 4755: Provides that people arrested in connection with felonies relating to sex offenses where the victim is less than 13 years old must submit a DNA sample

This bill requires individuals arrested for specific sex offenses against victims under 13 years old to provide a DNA sample at the time of arrest. It directly affects people charged with felonies listed in New York's penal law involving child sexual abuse. The law mandates DNA collection unless the person already has a sample in the state DNA database, and includes procedures for courts to order sample collection if refused. It also establishes safeguards to expunge DNA records if charges are dismissed, convictions are overturned, or the case results in a non-DNA-collecting outcome.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeMandates DNA collection for child sex offense arrests, strengthening evidence gathering for prosecution per criminal justice enforcement protocols.95% confidence

Track

in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 2664: Relates to emergency intervention for persons impaired by chemical substances

This bill amends New York's mental hygiene law to establish clear protocols for emergency intervention when someone is impaired by alcohol or substances and poses a risk of harm to themselves or others. It defines key terms like "incapacitated" and sets strict requirements: police or authorized personnel may transport such individuals to designated treatment facilities, where they must receive a medical evaluation within 12 hours and can be held for no more than 72 hours without consent. The law mandates safety measures during transport, requires discharge planning, and ensures individuals are released immediately if they no longer meet the impairment criteria. It directly affects people experiencing acute substance impairment, emergency responders, and certified treatment facilities.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill diverts substance-impaired individuals to treatment facilities instead of criminal processing, aligning with reform goals by prioritizing medical evaluation over incarceration and reducing potential criminal justice system involvement.92% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareEstablishes mandatory medical evaluations within 12 hours for substance-impaired individuals, creating structured access to treatment facilities and strengthening emergency mental health intervention protocols.92% confidence

Sub-Topics Policing Substance Abuse

Track

in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 1604: Relates to the provision of criminal history background checks free of charge to mentoring programs operated by not-for-profit corporations

This bill eliminates processing fees for criminal history background checks required by mentoring programs operated by non-profit organizations. It directly affects qualifying non-profit mentoring programs and their volunteer mentors by removing a $25 fee (plus $50 surcharge) that previously applied. The key mechanism amends existing laws to require state agencies to provide these checks free of charge when requested by eligible programs. This change applies specifically to programs meeting the defined criteria under New York's social services law, such as those run by incorporated non-profits or educational institutions.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeRemoves fees for background checks enabling non-profit mentoring programs, supporting youth engagement and rehabilitation efforts aligned with criminal justice reform.90% confidence

Track

in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 7242: Relates to the imposition of securing orders for certain crimes committed by individuals without permanent residency status

Relates to the imposition of securing orders for offenses committed on a peace officer, police officer, firefighter, emergency medical services professional or uniformed worker by individuals without permanent residency status; provides such individuals shall be remanded to the custody of the sheriff for the entirety of the judicial proceedings related thereto.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeMandates custody for non-residents committing crimes against officers, restricting defendant rights and increasing severity without reform indicators.90% confidence ✗ ImmigrationOpposes ImmigrationMandates state custody for non-residents committing crimes against first responders, increasing enforcement against undocumented immigrants without protections.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Policing Driver Licenses & IDs Enforcement Sanctuary Policies

Track

in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 4973: Relates to authorizing voting by incarcerated individuals in correctional facilities; repealer

Relates to authorizing voting by incarcerated individuals in correctional facilities; requires the department of corrections and community supervision, in collaboration with the state and county boards of election, to establish a program to facilitate incarcerated individuals voter registration and voting.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill authorizes voting for incarcerated individuals, advancing criminal justice reform by expanding civil rights and promoting reintegration through voting access.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Probation & Parole

Track

in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 5941: Relates to the removal of incarcerated individuals diagnosed with mental illness to a residential mental health treatment unit

This bill requires New York's Department of Corrections to move incarcerated individuals diagnosed with serious mental illness out of segregated confinement or long-term residential rehab units (where confinement might exceed 30 days) into specialized mental health treatment units. It directly affects people in state prisons diagnosed with serious mental illness under specific legal definitions. The key provision mandates this transfer after consultation with mental health clinicians, while still allowing disciplinary hearings to proceed under existing rules. The law does not alter disciplinary processes but changes where certain mentally ill inmates are housed during their incarceration.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill mandates transfer of mentally ill inmates from segregated confinement to mental health treatment units, promoting rehabilitation and aligning with criminal justice reform by prioritizing treatment over punitive confinement.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates transfer to specialized mental health units for incarcerated individuals with serious mental illness, improving access to appropriate treatment.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Mental Health

Track

in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 5035: Relates to discharge planning to assist incarcerated individuals in obtaining housing before release to community supervision

Relates to the department of correction and community supervision's role with respect to discharge planning to assist incarcerated individuals in obtaining housing before release to community supervision.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill mandates housing assistance for incarcerated individuals before release, directly reducing recidivism through reentry support, aligning with criminal justice reform goals.95% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill directly assists incarcerated individuals in obtaining housing before release, reducing homelessness risk for a vulnerable population, aligning with housing stability indicators.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Probation & Parole Homelessness

Track

in committee · New York · Senate Apr 16, 2025

S 7452: Relates to orders of adjournment in contemplation of dismissal and sealing of defendant records

Relates to orders of adjournment in contemplation of dismissal by mandating that judges seal certain records of defendants rather than giving judge's discretion for such an action; limits the total period of adjournment to 90 days.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeMandates sealing defendant records after adjournment, reducing barriers to reentry and aligning with criminal justice reform goals like reducing recidivism.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Judges

Track

in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 2645: Expands the definition of the offense of murder in the first degree to include murder occurring after an attempt to commit certain sexual offenses

S 2645 expands New York's first-degree murder definition to include killings of emergency responders (like firefighters, EMTs, paramedics, or nurses) during their official duties, provided the defendant knew the victim was in that role. This new provision (subdivision 1-a, paragraph (a)(ii-a)) directly affects individuals who commit such killings, elevating the charge from second-degree murder. The key mechanism requires the defendant to have known the victim was performing emergency services at the time of the killing. The bill does not change existing murder definitions related to sexual offenses, which were already covered under prior provisions (subdivision 1(a)(vii)).

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeElevates murder charges for killing emergency responders, increasing penalties rather than promoting reform or reducing sentences.95% confidence

Track