Criminal Justice

in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 3953: Relates to surveillance dead zones in correctional facilities

Requires the commissioner of corrections and community supervision to identify and eliminate all surveillance dead zones in correctional facilities under the jurisdiction of the department of corrections.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeEliminates surveillance dead zones to enhance oversight in correctional facilities, aligning with criminal justice reform indicators.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Probation & Parole

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in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 846: Relates to testimonies in parole hearings

Requires that all comments and testimony made by a third party either in support or opposition in a parole hearing shall be considered when coming to a decision; adds provisions relating to confidentiality of victim statements.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeRequires all third-party testimony in parole hearings to be considered, enhancing victim confidentiality and promoting fairer corrections decisions.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Probation & Parole Victims' Rights

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in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 38: Relates to crimes against public trust by state officers

Relates to crimes against public trust by state officers; requires such state officers' salary to be suspended pending indictment for such crimes; if convicted requires such state officers to pay back the portion of their salary beginning with the pay period immediately proceeding the date upon which the first convicted offense occurred.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesRequires repayment of salary for convicted officers, promoting fiscal accountability in state budget management by preventing misuse of public funds.85% confidence ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeRequires salary suspension and repayment for state officers convicted of crimes against public trust, enhancing accountability in criminal justice system.95% confidence

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in committee · New York · Assembly Sep 8, 2025

A 2254: Relates to the sentencing requirements for the offenses of hindering prosecution and conspiracy

This bill amends New York's Penal Law to adjust sentencing classifications for hindering prosecution and conspiracy offenses. It reclassifies hindering prosecution (based on the underlying felony's severity: class C, B, or A) and conspiracy (fifth, fourth, and third degrees) as specific felony levels (e.g., making hindering prosecution of a class B felony a class D felony). The changes directly affect individuals convicted of these specific crimes by modifying their sentencing ranges. The bill focuses solely on clarifying existing sentencing structures without introducing new offenses or penalties.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeReclassifies hindering prosecution/conspiracy to lower felony levels (e.g., class B felony hindering becomes class D), reducing sentencing severity and aligning with reform goals.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Sentencing

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in committee · New York · Senate Jan 30, 2025

S 3872: Relates to the availability of certain benefits to exonerees; repealer

Relates to claims for unjust conviction and imprisonment and the availability of certain benefits and entitlements to exonerees; allows for sealing of records, payment of awards and payment of attorney's fees; repeals certain provisions relating thereto.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeProvides benefits, seals records, and pays fees for exonerees, advancing criminal justice reform by correcting wrongful convictions.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Victims' Rights

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passed · New York · Assembly Apr 2, 2025

K 294: Memorializing Governor Kathy Hochul to proclaim April 2025, as Second Chance Month in the State of New York

This is a symbolic resolution (not a bill) requesting Governor Hochul to designate April 2025 as "Second Chance Month" in New York State. It does not create new laws or policies but asks the Governor to formally recognize the month to raise awareness about barriers faced by people with criminal records. The resolution cites statistics on employment challenges (e.g., 90% struggle to find work) and aligns with National Second Chance Month. It urges New Yorkers to support efforts removing barriers to reentry, though it has no direct legal effect.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeSymbolic resolution promotes awareness of employment barriers for people with criminal records, aligning with Second Chance Month reform efforts to reduce recidivism.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Probation & Parole

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in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 7509: Creates a temporary state commission to study and investigate issues affecting reentry of incarcerated individuals released from correctional facilities; appropriation

Creates a temporary state commission to study and investigate issues affecting reentry of incarcerated individuals released from correctional facilities; appropriates $250,000 therefor.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill appropriates $250,000 for a commission study, directly funding a government program under fiscal management and state budget allocation.95% confidence ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeCreates commission to study reentry barriers for formerly incarcerated individuals with $250k funding, directly advancing criminal justice reform goals to reduce recidivism and improve rehabilitation pathways.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Probation & Parole

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in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 564: Relates to special restrictions on campaign contributions for district attorney candidates

Relates to special restrictions on campaign contributions for district attorney candidates; requires such candidates to disclose to the board of elections the acceptance of campaign contributions from any law firm that represents defendants in criminal proceedings in any court in the state or from any licensed attorney employed by such law firm.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeRequires disclosure of defense-related campaign contributions to prevent DA conflicts of interest, enhancing accountability in criminal justice.80% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts

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in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 6324: Relates to the court's consideration of the existence of extraordinary circumstances and significant physical injury in determining whether to remove adolescent offenders to family court

Relates to the court's consideration of the existence of extraordinary circumstances and significant physical injury in determining whether to remove adolescent offenders to family court; defines such terms; provides factors for the court's consideration of whether extraordinary circumstances exist.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill mandates courts to consider extraordinary circumstances and physical injury before transferring adolescent offenders to family court, promoting juvenile justice reform by reducing unnecessary adult court involvement.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts Juvenile Justice

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in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 2209: Relates to removing the local share requirements associated with increasing the age of juvenile jurisdiction

This bill removes the requirement for New York counties and New York City to pay a local share of costs when increasing juvenile jurisdiction age above 15 years. It eliminates the obligation for local governments to fund eligible expenses that would not have existed without the 2017 law changing juvenile jurisdiction. Counties and NYC will no longer need to contribute local funds for these specific juvenile justice costs, though a hardship waiver process remains for exceptional financial situations. The change directly affects local governments responsible for juvenile justice funding under the 2017 law. The policy simplifies funding by shifting the cost entirely to the state.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesEliminates local cost-sharing for juvenile jurisdiction, reducing fiscal burden on counties/NYC and promoting fiscal responsibility.90% confidence ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeRemoves financial barrier for counties to implement juvenile jurisdiction reform under 2017 law, aligning with criminal justice reform goals by eliminating local cost obligations.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Juvenile Justice

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