Criminal Justice

in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 5500: Creates the crime of stalking a police officer or peace officer

Creates the crime of stalking a police officer or peace officer when a person intentionally, and for no legitimate purpose, engages in a course of conduct directed at a specific police officer, peace officer or a person who they know or reasonably should know is a member of such officer's immediate family, and knows or reasonably should know that such conduct is likely to cause reasonable fear of material harm to the physical health, safety or property of such officer or member of such officer's immediate family; makes stalking a police officer or peace officer a class E felony; requires the posting of bail; makes related provisions.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeCreates new offense for stalking officers, expanding criminalization without reform indicators. Matches 'oppose' criteria of increased criminalization.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Domestic Violence Policing

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in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 192: Provides for rules and regulations for strip searches in correctional facilities

Directs the state commission of correction to promulgate rules and regulations for strip searches in correctional facilities which at a minimum include a requirement that no fewer than two staff members shall be present for any strip search.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeRequires two staff for strip searches, enhancing oversight and protecting inmate civil rights in correctional facilities per criminal justice reform indicators.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections

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in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 6736: Establishes certain offenses based on homicide due to criminal sale of a controlled substance and the criminal sale of a controlled substance to a child in the first degree

Establishes certain offenses based on homicide due to criminal sale of a controlled substance; establishes the offense of criminal sale of a controlled substance to a child in the first degree; expands the definition of controlled substances with respect to certain offenses; increases the felony classification of certain controlled substance offenses; includes electronic prescriptions and blank prescription forms in the definition of certain controlled substance offenses.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeIncreases felony classifications for drug offenses and expands criminalization of controlled substance sales, directly opposing criminal justice reform by strengthening penalties.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Drug Policy Violent Crime

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in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 3405: Establishes the crime of package theft in the fourth, third, second and first degrees

Establishes the crime of package theft in the fourth, third, second and first degrees; designates such crimes as a class A misdemeanor, class E felony, class D felony, and class B felony, respectively; provides instances that are not a defense to such crimes; provides for certain defenses to such crimes.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeExpands criminalization by creating new felony degrees for package theft, increasing penalties without reform elements.90% confidence

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in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 6203: Establishes the crimes of reckless endangerment of an emergency service person in the first and second degrees

S 6203 creates two new criminal offenses targeting actions that endanger emergency workers during building-related emergencies. It establishes "reckless endangerment of an emergency service person" as a second-degree felony (class E) when someone violates building codes during an emergency evacuation, impeding egress and causing injury to a firefighter, police officer, code enforcement officer, or other defined emergency personnel. A first-degree felony (class D) applies if the same violation causes death or if the person has a prior conviction for this offense within the last decade. The law directly affects building owners or contractors who alter structures without permits in ways that compromise safety during emergencies, with penalties increasing based on severity.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeCreates new felonies for endangering emergency workers, expanding criminalization per OPPOSE criteria95% confidence

Sub-Topics Policing

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passed both · New York · Assembly Jun 1, 2026

A 4603: Establishes visiting policies for incarcerated individuals

Establishes visiting policies for incarcerated people, to provide incarcerated people opportunities for personal contact with relatives, friends, clergy, volunteers and other persons to promote better institutional adjustment and better community adjustment upon release.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill establishes visiting policies to promote rehabilitation and community adjustment upon release, directly supporting criminal justice reform through maintained family connections.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections

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in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 6990: Provides for money upon release for certain incarcerated individuals; appropriation

Establishes the reentry assistance program; provides for eligible incarcerated individuals to receive a monthly stipend upon release from a state correctional facility; makes an appropriation of $25,000,000.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAppropriates $25M for reentry stipends, directly funding a public service program under state budget allocation.95% confidence ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeFunds reentry stipends to reduce recidivism, aligning with reform goals of supporting formerly incarcerated individuals' successful reintegration.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Probation & Parole

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in committee · New York · Senate Jun 9, 2025

S 8312: Relates to the removal of actions to certain courts in an adjoining county

This bill allows criminal defendants in counties outside New York City to have their cases moved to a mental health court in a neighboring county, with consent from the defendant, both district attorneys, and the receiving court. It requires a 5-day waiting period before the transfer takes effect unless the receiving court agrees to accept the case sooner. The law specifically prohibits moving family offense cases involving household members to veterans treatment courts under this provision. This primarily affects defendants facing criminal charges who qualify for specialized court programs in adjacent jurisdictions, streamlining access to mental health-focused sentencing.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill expands access to mental health courts for criminal defendants outside NYC, promoting diversion and treatment over traditional prosecution - a key criminal justice reform to reduce recidivism and address mental health needs.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts Sentencing

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in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 6287: Directs the office of mental health to conduct a study on the effects of abuse suffered while incarcerated on formerly incarcerated individuals

This bill directs New York's Office of Mental Health, in collaboration with Corrections and Community Supervision, to study how abuse experienced during incarceration affects the mental, behavioral, and physical health of formerly incarcerated individuals. The study must identify both short-term and long-term impacts, associated costs, and recommend effective treatment practices. The Office of Mental Health must submit a final report to state leaders within one year of the bill's effective date.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeStudies incarceration abuse impacts to improve mental health treatments and rehabilitation, directly advancing criminal justice reform through evidence-based policy recommendations.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates study on incarceration abuse's mental health impacts to identify effective treatments, directly supporting mental health services for vulnerable population.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Probation & Parole

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in committee · New York · Senate Mar 27, 2025

S 6978: Removes statute of limitations for certain civil actions related to child sexual assault offenses

This bill removes time limits for civil lawsuits related to childhood sexual abuse. It allows victims to file lawsuits at any time after the abuse occurred, regardless of when it happened, as long as they were under 18 at the time. The law covers civil claims for physical, psychological, or other injuries from offenses including rape, incest, sex trafficking, and child sexual performances as defined in New York's penal law. It specifically applies to cases where the abuse occurred before the victim turned 18, and does not require a prior criminal conviction to file a civil claim.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeRemoves statute of limitations for child sexual abuse civil cases, enabling victims to seek justice regardless of time elapsed, aligns with victim rights protection in criminal justice reform.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Human Trafficking Violent Crime

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