Criminal Justice

passed · New York · Senate May 6, 2026

S 4763: Ensures that parents and guardians of youth are notified when their child is arrested

Relates to the issuance of arrest warrants upon a youth who is still in high school; provides for the police officer to make a reasonable effort to notify the parent or other person legally responsible for the care of such youth or with whom the youth is domiciled that the youth has been arrested; provides that the police officer need not notify the parent or other person legally responsible when such youth is not also a juvenile offender and the notification would endanger the health and safety of such youth; amends provisions relating to sexually exploited children to include persons under the age of nineteen.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeRequires police to notify parents/guardians of arrested youth (up to 19), enhancing family involvement and protecting minors' rights within the justice system.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Juvenile Justice Policing

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in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 6505: Directs the division of criminal justice services to establish a universal, statewide human trafficking hotline

Directs the division of criminal justice services, in consultation with the office of temporary and disability assistance, to establish a universal, statewide human trafficking hotline to provide individuals in the state access to appropriate counselling and services for human trafficking victims.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeEstablishes statewide human trafficking hotline for victim services, directly advancing victim protection and support within criminal justice framework.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Human Trafficking

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in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 5586: Provides for family members of a crime victim and interested parties to make statements to members of the parole board

Provides for family members of a crime victim and interested parties to make statements to members of the parole board; provides that such oral statement shall be made to the members of the state board of parole who will determine whether the defendant is released.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeAllows victim family input in parole hearings, enhancing victim rights and transparency in criminal justice proceedings90% confidence

Sub-Topics Probation & Parole Victims' Rights

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in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 3280: Relates to "The Restoring Accountability and Civil Equity Act"

Relates to filling the void left by the expansive and overbroad applicability of the qualified immunity doctrine that operates as a near absolute shield to civil liability for public officials and ensures that state officials are justly held accountable for violating an individual's rights, privileges and immunities under state law.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeTargets qualified immunity to hold officials accountable for rights violations, directly advancing police accountability in criminal justice reform.95% confidence

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in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 5282: Establishes a joint legislative committee on racial equity in New York state

Establishes a joint legislative committee on racial equity in New York state to review and prepare a racial equity impact assessment on all legislation that is reported favorably to both houses of the legislature.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeEstablishes committee to assess racial equity in legislation, promoting reform by addressing systemic bias in criminal justice policies.85% confidence

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in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 4406: Establishes the crimes of carjacking in first, second and third degrees

Establishes the crimes of carjacking in first, second and third degrees, as the stealing of a motor vehicle from a person or presence of another person through the use or threatened use of force; increases penalties for causing injury to such victim, displaying a real or fake gun or using such a weapon; provides that all carjackings are violent felony offenses.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeIncreases penalties for carjacking, classifies as violent felony, expands criminalization per bill summary95% confidence

Sub-Topics Firearms Policing

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in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 3142: Relates to the timing of discovery for the crime of homicide

This bill (S 3142) modifies New York's criminal procedure law to allow prosecutors to withhold the identities of certain witnesses and victims in homicide cases. Specifically, it permits the withholding of information related to 911 callers, victims of violent felonies (including those under Penal Law articles 125, 130, or 230.34), or witnesses in cases where the defendant has proven ties to a criminal enterprise. Prosecutors no longer need court approval to withhold this information - though they must notify the defendant in writing - unless the court orders disclosure for "good cause." The change directly affects defendants in homicide cases with documented criminal enterprise affiliations and aims to protect vulnerable witnesses from potential retaliation.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeRemoves court approval for withholding witness/victim identities, restricting defendant rights in homicide cases per bill's modification of discovery rules.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts Violent Crime

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in committee · New York · Assembly May 26, 2026

A 318: Prohibits speech-based defenses to actions brought against an individual for the unlawful dissemination of publication of an intimate image

This bill prohibits defendants from using "free speech" as a defense in criminal or civil cases involving the non-consensual sharing of intimate images. It amends New York's Penal Law and Civil Rights Law to explicitly state that such dissemination cannot be justified by claims of protected speech. The law directly affects individuals who share intimate images without consent and the victims seeking legal recourse. Key provisions remove a legal loophole that previously allowed defendants to argue First Amendment protections in these cases. The bill takes effect immediately upon enactment.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeRemoves free speech loophole in non-consensual intimate image cases, strengthening victim protections under criminal justice laws by closing a legal gap that hindered legal recourse.95% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyBill explicitly strengthens data privacy protections by prohibiting free speech defenses in non-consensual intimate image cases, advancing digital rights and victim safety.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Civil Rights

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in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 5042: Relates to the definition of a sexually violent offender and sex offense as applied to out-of-state offenders

This bill updates New York's definition of a "sexually violent offender" to include out-of-state convictions that match New York's standards. It specifically adds federal sex offense statutes (like those covering child pornography or sex trafficking) to the list of qualifying crimes, provided the offense elements are substantially similar to New York's definitions. This change affects individuals convicted of certain sex offenses in other states who now must register as sex offenders in New York if their crime aligns with the state's criteria. The law takes effect immediately and applies to out-of-state offenders subject to New York's registration requirements.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeBill expands sex offender registration to include out-of-state convictions matching NY standards, increasing mandatory registration requirements.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Human Trafficking

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passed · New York · Senate Jun 10, 2025

S 6244: Enacts the "Lieutenant Joseph Banish mental health act"

Enacts the "Lieutenant Joseph Banish mental health act" which establishes a law enforcement peer support program to provide confidentiality for communications arising out of law enforcement peer support counseling; defines terms; provides exceptions for when a peer support communication may be disclosed.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeEstablishes confidential peer support for law enforcement officers, enhancing mental health resources and accountability - aligns with criminal justice reform indicators.85% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill creates law enforcement peer support program with confidentiality for mental health counseling, directly advancing mental health services as a healthcare component.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Law Enforcement Mental Health

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