Criminal Justice

in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 4766: Requires an arrest where a police officer has reasonable cause to believe a hate crime has been committed

This bill (A 4766) requires police officers to make an arrest when they have reasonable cause to believe a hate crime has occurred, rather than attempting to mediate or reconcile the parties involved. It directly affects law enforcement officers and individuals accused of committing hate crimes under New York's criminal procedure law. The key provision adds a new subdivision to Section 140.10, mandating arrests for hate crimes upon reasonable cause, effective immediately upon enactment. This changes the standard procedure for officers responding to suspected hate crimes by removing discretion to avoid arrest.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeMandates arrests for hate crimes, ensuring consistent enforcement and protecting victims' rights under criminal justice reform.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Civil Rights Policing

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in committee · New York · Senate Apr 21, 2026

S 1643: Establishes a job fair pilot program

S 1643 establishes a three-year job fair pilot program for incarcerated individuals within six months of their release, specifically targeting those in Wende and New York City correctional facility hubs. These job fairs, held at least three times annually, will assist participants with resume preparation, internet employment searches, and interview advice, connecting them with potential employers. Eligible individuals in Albion, Taconic, or Bedford facilities will receive enhanced job search opportunities instead. The program requires the Department of Corrections to conduct annual evaluations, including recidivism statistics, and report these findings to the public and legislature.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill creates post-release job fairs for incarcerated individuals to reduce recidivism through employment support, directly advancing criminal justice reform by improving reentry outcomes.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentBill creates job fairs for formerly incarcerated individuals to improve employment access, directly supporting labor & employment opportunities through targeted workforce assistance.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections

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failed · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 632: Includes offenses involving the possession, display or discharge of certain firearms as qualifying offenses for the purpose of allowing a principal to be eligible to be held on bail

Includes offenses involving the possession, display or discharge of a firearm, rifle, shotgun, machine-gun, or disguised gun as qualifying offenses for the purpose of allowing a principal to be eligible to be held on bail.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeExpands bail eligibility for firearm offenses, aligning with reform goals to reduce pretrial detention and protect defendant rights.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Drug Policy Firearms

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in committee · New York · Assembly May 29, 2026

A 3399: Requires screening incarcerated individuals for eligibility for public benefits prior to release

Requires screening incarcerated individuals for eligibility for public benefits prior to release and assistance in applying for such programs; requires officials to seek waivers from the USDA for eligibility for such program.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill facilitates post-release SNAP access, reducing recidivism through reintegration support - aligns with criminal justice reform goals of improving rehabilitation outcomes.92% confidence

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in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 6404: Relates to an annual report of department statistics

This bill requires New York's Department of Corrections to submit an annual report by March 31 each year (starting in 2026) to state legislative leaders and specific committee chairs. The report must detail every death of an incarcerated individual in state facilities, including cause of death, personal details (age, race, gender), circumstances, and an analysis of mortality trends compared to historical data. For deaths resulting from suicide or other specified causes, the department must also provide a preliminary report within seven days and a final report after the investigation concludes. This establishes a standardized process for transparency and data collection on mortality in correctional facilities.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeRequires detailed mortality reporting in corrections for transparency and accountability, aligning with criminal justice reform goals.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections

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in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 6497: Relates to the crime of luring a child

This bill (A 6497) amends New York's luring a child statute to explicitly include online communication as a method of committing the crime. It makes it illegal for someone 18+ to use a computer to solicit sexual contact, sexual performances, or in-person contact with a minor under 17, with the intent to commit specific sex offenses or violent felonies. The law expands the definition of "luring" to cover electronic communication (like messages or images) that targets children, while clarifying terms like "child" (under 17), "computer," and "sexual contact." It maintains that luring remains a felony, with severity depending on the underlying crime the perpetrator intended to commit.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeExpands luring statute to explicitly cover online solicitation of minors, strengthening legal protections against child exploitation under criminal justice framework.95% confidence

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in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 599: Relates to the definition of serious offense and felony offenses against animals for purposes of possession of a firearm

This bill amends New York's penal law to include certain felony animal cruelty offenses as "serious offenses" under firearm possession restrictions. It specifically adds violations of Agriculture and Markets Law sections 351, 353-a, 360, 361, and Penal Law section 242.15 to the list of crimes that prohibit firearm possession. As a result, individuals convicted of these specific animal cruelty felonies would be barred from possessing firearms, aligning their legal status with other serious offenses under current law.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeExpands firearm restrictions for animal cruelty felons, aligning with public safety measures under criminal justice framework by adding specific offenses to serious crime list.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Drug Policy Firearms

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in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 4209: Requires police agencies to file reports of civil rights offenses

Requires police agencies to report offenses to the division of criminal justice services which appear to such agency to be motivated by the race, national origin, religion or sexual orientation of the victim or of the owner, resident, lessee or occupant where the offense is committed against property.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeMandates police reporting of bias-motivated civil rights offenses, enhancing accountability and oversight in law enforcement per criminal justice reform indicators.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Civil Rights Policing

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in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 5359: Prohibits interference with the provision of medical assistance to incarcerated individuals

Prohibits any police officer, peace officer or employee of a correctional facility from interfering with the provision of medical assistance to an incarcerated individual.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeProhibits interference with medical care for incarcerated individuals, protecting civil rights and improving correctional facility standards within criminal justice reform.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareProhibits interference with medical care for incarcerated individuals, protecting patient access to healthcare services.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Policing

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in committee · New York · Assembly Apr 13, 2026

A 5452: Prohibits imprisonment for sleeping or camping in public spaces

This bill, known as the SLEEP Act, prohibits jail time, fines, or removal for sleeping or camping in publicly accessible spaces like sidewalks, parks, streets, and doorways. It specifically excludes cases where individuals block access to public areas or pose an immediate safety threat. The law amends civil rights protections to prevent local governments from creating rules that contradict this prohibition. It directly affects unhoused individuals and local law enforcement practices regarding public space use.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeProhibits criminal penalties for sleeping/camping in public spaces, reducing criminalization of homelessness and aligning with civil rights protections in criminal justice reform.95% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingAddresses homelessness by prohibiting imprisonment for public sleeping/camping, aligning with housing topic indicators of protecting unhoused individuals.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Civil Rights Homelessness

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