Criminal Justice

in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 8908: Prohibits law enforcement officers from wearing any mask or personal disguise while interacting with the public in the performance of their duties

Prohibits local, state and federal law enforcement officers from wearing any mask or personal disguise while interacting with the public in the performance of their duties; excludes certain protective masks.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill mandates law enforcement transparency during public interactions, enhancing accountability and aligning with criminal justice reform goals of police oversight and civil rights protection.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Law Enforcement

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in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 3319: Provides for issuing non-driver identification cards to certain persons with suspended driving privileges

This bill requires the state department to issue a photo ID card immediately when a court suspends a driver's license due to a driving while intoxicated (DWI) arrest. It directly affects people whose licenses are suspended for DWI-related offenses, ensuring they receive a valid photo ID card similar to standard non-driver IDs. The key provision mandates that the department must issue this card upon suspension, replacing the need for a separate application process. The law takes effect 90 days after enactment, with necessary rules to be implemented before that date.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeProvides immediate ID access for DWI offenders, reducing barriers to civil rights and preventing secondary legal issues that could exacerbate criminal justice involvement.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts

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in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 3780: Relates to allowing telephone calls prior to an incarcerated individual's transfer

This bill (A 3780) requires New York correctional facilities to allow incarcerated individuals to make at least one free phone call to their next of kin or personal representative immediately before being transferred to a new facility, except when safety risks prevent it. It directly affects incarcerated people and their families by ensuring communication during transfers. Key provisions mandate electronic notification to families before transfer, a mandatory call opportunity (with safety exceptions), and a backup requirement: if a call isn't permitted pre-transfer, staff must make one within 24 hours of arrival at the new facility. The law also requires written documentation if calls are blocked due to safety concerns.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeEnsures family communication during transfers, supporting rehabilitation and reducing recidivism by maintaining family ties during corrections process90% confidence

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in committee · New York · Assembly Feb 25, 2026

A 8779: Restricts the use of automatic license plate reader information

Prohibits automatic license plate reader users from selling, sharing, allowing access to, or transferring automatic license plate reader information to any state or local jurisdiction for the purpose of investigating or enforcing a law that denies or interferes with a person's right to choose or obtain reproductive health care services or any lawful health care services.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeRestricts law enforcement data use to protect reproductive health care access, aligning with civil rights protections in criminal justice oversight.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill explicitly protects reproductive health care access by prohibiting license plate data use to enforce laws interfering with such services, aligning with healthcare rights protection.90% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyRestricts sharing of ALPR data to protect privacy in reproductive health care context, directly advancing data privacy protections.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Women's Health Consumer Data Protection

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in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 4633: Relates to adding animal fighting as a criminal act when referring to enterprise corruption

S 4633 amends New York's penal law to explicitly include animal fighting as a criminal act under enterprise corruption statutes. This change directly affects individuals or groups operating illegal animal fighting rings by making such activities subject to prosecution under the same enterprise corruption laws used for crimes like tax fraud or environmental violations. The bill modifies Section 460.10 of the penal law to add animal fighting to a list of offenses that can be charged as part of an organized criminal enterprise. This provides prosecutors with a specific legal pathway to address animal fighting through the enterprise corruption framework. The bill was referred to the Codes committee on February 10, 2025.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeBill expands criminalization by adding animal fighting to enterprise corruption statutes, an indicator for oppose.90% confidence

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in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 403: Establishes application processing and review requirements for reprieves, commutations and pardons

Establishes application processing and review requirements for reprieves, commutations and pardons by the governor; requires the governor to provide: a written notification that the application has been received; a receipt number that the applicant can then use to check on the applicant's application status; guidelines for supplementing the application with additional or updated information; and a notification when a decision is made on the application; requires quarterly reports to the legislature regarding reprieves, commutations and pardons.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill establishes transparent pardon process with notifications, reports, and accessibility, enhancing accountability in criminal justice system without altering substantive policies.80% confidence

Sub-Topics Probation & Parole

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in committee · New York · Assembly Jun 16, 2025

A 8890: Relates to judges presiding over designated youth parts

This bill expands who can serve as judges in specialized youth courts. It allows superior court judges (who have specific training in juvenile justice) to preside over "youth parts" in each county, in addition to current family court judges. All judges in these youth parts must receive specialized training on juvenile justice, adolescent development, and treatment methods. The youth parts will handle all cases involving juvenile and adolescent offenders (ages 16-20), excluding certain cases covered elsewhere in the law.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill creates specialized youth courts with judges trained in juvenile justice and treatment methods, focusing on rehabilitation for 16-20 year olds, aligning with criminal justice reform goals.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts Juvenile Justice

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in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 8435: Enacts the "safekeeping and access to video evidence (SAVE) act"

This bill requires New York local governments (including cities, towns, school districts, and public authorities) to retain security video recordings from public spaces and official interactions for at least 15 months. It mandates secure storage to prevent tampering or deletion, ensures recordings are accessible to officials handling public records requests, and extends retention during legal claims. The law does not require installing cameras, force longer retention, or override existing public access rules. It specifically applies to recordings from public areas (streets, parks, transit) and interactions involving police, fire, or healthcare services.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeMandates secure retention of video evidence to prevent tampering, enhancing transparency and accountability in criminal investigations and legal proceedings.90% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyRequires secure storage of public video evidence to prevent tampering, enhancing data integrity and privacy protections for recorded data.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Policing

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in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 3642: Prohibits the release of certain records of victims of police violence by a police agency, prosecutorial agency or other law enforcement agency

Prohibits the release of criminal history or any mental health history records by a police agency, prosecutorial agency or other law enforcement agency of individuals who were the subject of the use of force by a police or peace officer.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeBill restricts release of victim records related to police use of force, weakening law enforcement oversight and accountability mechanisms per indicators.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Policing

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in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 7065: Relates to creating provisions regarding the unlawful sale of law enforcement identification

Prohibits the sale of any badge, shield, identification card or other insignia of any police department or law enforcement agency or a facsimile of such a badge or shield; imposes a civil penalty not to exceed $250 for each violation.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeProhibits sale of fake police IDs to prevent impersonation and protect public safety, strengthening law enforcement integrity within criminal justice framework.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Policing

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