Criminal Justice

in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 2233: Provides for the temporary surrender of firearms where an individual may be a danger to themself or others

Provides for the temporary surrender of firearms to the police by any person who is taken into custody by the police for the purpose of a mental examination and prior to an examination ordered pursuant to article seven hundred thirty of the criminal procedure law; requires a "cooling off period" following the discharge from psychiatric care during which time firearms, which came into police custody during the person's pre-hospitalization intervention or during hospitalization, may be kept in police custody for thirty days, or after a psychiatric examiner has determined whether the person is a threat to themself or others; provides that a judge of the local jurisdiction may order an early return of the firearms if such judge determines that it would be appropriate to do so.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill mandates temporary firearm surrender during mental health crises to prevent harm, aligning with criminal justice reform goals of reducing gun violence and enhancing public safety.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Firearms Judges Policing

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in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 4500: Relates to creating a contraband and drug information hotline

This bill creates a statewide, toll-free hotline for reporting contraband and drugs in New York's state correctional facilities. It defines "contraband" to include weapons, dangerous instruments, and controlled substances (as specified in the Penal Law). The hotline will operate 24/7, accepting anonymous calls from anyone - including incarcerated people, visitors, or staff - reporting incidents involving contraband. The commissioner must establish rules to implement this system, directly affecting facility safety operations and reporting procedures.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeCreates anonymous hotline for reporting contraband/drugs in prisons, enhancing correctional facility safety and reducing recidivism risks through improved oversight.90% confidence

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in committee · New York · Senate Feb 21, 2025

S 1033: Prohibits the use of biometric surveillance technology by law enforcement; establishes the biometric surveillance regulation task force; and provides for the expiration and repeal of certain provisions

Prohibits the use of biometric surveillance technology by law enforcement; establishes the biometric surveillance regulation task force; provides for the expiration and repeal of certain provisions.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeProhibits law enforcement biometric surveillance, protecting civil rights and advancing reform by limiting invasive tech use in criminal justice oversight.95% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyBill prohibits biometric surveillance by law enforcement, directly protecting data privacy and digital rights, aligning with support indicators for the Technology topic.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Consumer Data Protection

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in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 9110: Relates to the assault of an employee of the New York city department of parks and recreation

This bill (A 9110) amends New York State's Penal Law to elevate assaults against employees of the New York City Department of Parks and Recreation to a class D felony. It directly affects individuals who physically harm these workers while they are performing their duties. The key provision adds "employee of the New York city department of parks and recreation" to a list of protected public workers (including police, firefighters, and sanitation staff) whose assault is now punishable as a class D felony. This change increases the legal penalty for such assaults, moving them from a lower-level offense to a more serious criminal charge. The bill was referred to the Codes committee on September 26, 2025.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeBill expands criminalization by elevating assaults on parks employees to felony, increasing penalties for violence against public workers, aligning with 'oppose' indicators of stricter sentencing.92% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentBill elevates assaults on parks employees to felony, strengthening workplace safety protections for public workers by increasing penalties for harming them.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Policing Violent Crime

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in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 4663: Allows courts to consider the risk of continued substance abuse

Allows courts to consider the risk of continued substance abuse and likelihood of serious harm to the principal when considering committing such principal to the custody of the sheriff.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeAllows courts to consider substance abuse risk in custody decisions, promoting rehabilitation-focused sentencing over incarceration for substance-related issues.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Law Enforcement

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passed · New York · Senate Mar 11, 2026

S 1050: Relates to allowing telephone calls prior to an incarcerated individual's transfer

This bill requires New York's Department of Corrections to allow incarcerated individuals to make at least one free phone call to family or a chosen contact immediately before being transferred to a new facility, and another within 24 hours of arrival at the new facility. It applies directly to incarcerated people and their families or designated representatives. Exceptions only apply when making a call would create an unacceptable risk to safety or security, and the department must document such denials in writing. The law aims to maintain family connections during transfers while prioritizing facility safety.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeAllows family communication during transfers, supporting rehabilitation and reducing recidivism - key criminal justice reform goals.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections

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in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 8054: Requires police officer training programs on interacting with individuals who are a part of a sexual orientation and/or gender minority

This bill requires all police and peace officers in New York to complete mandatory training on interacting with LGBTQ+ individuals. It mandates that training programs - developed with input from LGBTQ+ officers and community members - cover topics like terminology, historical context, creating inclusive workplaces, and responding to hate crimes or domestic violence involving LGBTQ+ people. The training must address the differences between sexual orientation and gender identity, including how these relate to race, culture, and religion. The law takes effect April 1, 2026, and requires the municipal police training council to implement necessary rule changes by then.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeMandates police training on LGBTQ+ interactions to promote inclusive practices, protect civil rights, and enhance law enforcement accountability in criminal justice.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Domestic Violence Policing

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in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 5218: Relates to concealment and/or mutilation of a human corpse

This bill criminalizes hiding, damaging, or destroying a human body or body part when someone expects it might be used as evidence in a legal case, such as a criminal investigation or autopsy. It specifically defines this as a class E felony, punishable by up to four years in prison. The law explicitly excludes funeral directors, embalmers, and organ donation activities from this rule, as these are covered under existing public health laws. The bill also adds this offense to lists of crimes affecting bail decisions, but its core purpose is to protect evidence integrity in legal proceedings.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeCriminalizes evidence tampering to protect legal investigations, strengthening law enforcement's ability to prosecute cases while excluding legitimate funeral/medical practices.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections

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passed · New York · Senate Mar 30, 2026

S 524: Relates to establishing the crime of voyeurism

Establishes the crime of voyeurism in the first and second degree which is defined as when someone for their own amusement, entertainment, profit, sexual arousal or sexual gratification trespasses or uses an instrument to observe for the purpose of viewing a person dressing or undressing or the sexual or other intimate parts of such person at a place and time when such person has a reasonable expectation of privacy, without such person's knowledge or consent.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeCreates new legal protections against privacy violations, aligning with civil rights safeguards in criminal justice by defining voyeurism as a crime with consent requirements.85% confidence

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in committee · New York · Senate Jan 23, 2025

S 3040: Relates to the former crime of loitering for the purpose of engaging in a prostitution offense and expunges criminal records for persons previously convicted of such crime

Relates to the former crime of loitering for the purpose of engaging in a prostitution offense; expunges criminal records for persons previously convicted of such crime; directs the chief administrator of the courts to provide information regarding such expungement; adds language to identify that the crime of loitering for the purpose of engaging in a prostitution offense is no longer in law.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeExpunges records for a repealed offense, aligning with criminal justice reform by reducing barriers to reintegration and protecting civil rights.95% confidence

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