Criminal Justice

in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 1566: Prohibits sex offenders who are on parole and in civil confinement from voting in certain elections

This bill prohibits individuals convicted of certain sex offenses (under Penal Law Article 130) from voting if they are both on parole/conditional release and in civil commitment at a hospital or institution. It directly affects people meeting both conditions during their period of civil confinement. The law amends voting rights provisions in the Executive Law and Election Law to bar voting in all elections held while the person remains confined. The restriction applies only during the time of civil confinement, not for the entire parole period. The bill takes effect 30 days after enactment.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeBill restricts voting rights for sex offenders on parole and in civil confinement, reducing a right for a specific group within the criminal justice system. This aligns with 'oppose' as it restricts defendant rights.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Civil Rights Probation & Parole

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in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 22, 2026

A 8929: Relates to convictions under the felony murder rule; repealer

Repeals the crime of felony murder; permits vacating conviction and resentencing of defendants convicted of felony murder; requires reporting of certain crime statistics and information.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeAmends felony murder rule to require direct causation/intent, permits conviction vacating/resentencing, adds duress defense - reduces wrongful convictions and advances reform.95% confidence

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in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 6612: Relates to petition for expungement of records for certain marihuana convictions

S 6612 allows individuals convicted of simple marijuana possession (under Penal Law §222.25) with no prior or subsequent offenses to petition courts for expungement of their records. To qualify, applicants must wait two years after their conviction, complete all probation/parole/fines, and file a verified petition with required court documents. The court must grant expungement within 90 days if no objections are raised by prosecutors or law enforcement. This removes all court records related to the conviction, including arrest details and sentencing, for eligible individuals. The law applies to convictions both before and after its effective date.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill enables expungement of non-violent marijuana convictions, reducing barriers to reentry and aligning with criminal justice reform goals like reducing recidivism.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts Drug Policy Probation & Parole

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in committee · New York · Assembly Apr 21, 2026

A 7576: Enacts the "McDow Watson medical transparency in correctional facilities act"

Relates to required notification of an incarcerated individual's emergency contacts when such incarcerated individual experiences a serious medical event; provides that incarcerated individuals and their representatives shall have the right to access such incarcerated individual's medical records; provides requirements for access to such medical records; requires the department of corrections and community supervision to collect data on medical incidents and response times, and to publish an annual report detailing such data.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeEstablishes medical oversight and access to records for incarcerated individuals, enhancing transparency and rights within correctional facilities - key criminal justice reform.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareEnsures incarcerated individuals access to medical records and independent oversight, protecting patient rights in correctional healthcare settings.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Probation & Parole

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in committee · New York · Assembly Mar 12, 2026

A 5606: Prohibits discrimination against any individual with an actual or perceived status as a victim of domestic violence, a sex offense, or stalking

Prohibits discrimination against any individual with an actual or perceived status as a victim of domestic violence, a sex offense, or stalking; requires training on discrimination against individuals with an actual or perceived status as a victim of domestic violence, a sex offense, or stalking.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill prohibits discrimination against crime victims, protecting civil rights within criminal justice system, aligning with reform efforts to ensure fair treatment of vulnerable populations.90% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentProhibits workplace discrimination against victims of domestic violence/stalking, directly protecting workers' rights under employment standards as defined in the topic description.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Civil Rights Domestic Violence

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failed · New York · Senate May 5, 2026

S 8492: Establishes a digital legal mail program

Establishes a digital legal mail program for the delivery of privileged correspondences to incarcerated individuals housed at correctional facilities; requires law offices sending legal mail via digital platforms to incarcerated individuals to register with the department of corrections.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill enables digital legal mail for incarcerated individuals, ensuring access to legal counsel and protecting civil rights. This supports criminal justice reform by upholding due process and legal representation in correctional facilities.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections

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in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 3049: Establishes the crime of endangering the welfare of a child in the first degree

This bill creates a new criminal offense called "endangering the welfare of a child in the first degree" for individuals who knowingly or recklessly create a serious risk of physical injury or long-term harm to a child under 17. It specifically applies when someone causes physical injury to a child under 7, or has prior convictions for certain crimes involving children under 17. The offense is classified as a class E felony, carrying more severe penalties than the existing "second degree" offense (a class A misdemeanor). The law directly affects caregivers, parents, or others responsible for children's safety who fail to prevent serious harm.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeCreates new class E felony for child endangerment, increasing penalties and expanding criminalization. Aligns with 'oppose' indicators by strengthening penalties without reform elements.90% confidence

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in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 3514: Relates to establishing mental health coordinators for New York state law enforcement

Establishes four mental health coordinators to provide mental health support and education for members of law enforcement; establishes that coordinators shall provide training, assistance, reporting and set standards for continuing mental health education.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeMental health coordinators for law enforcement enhance officer well-being and accountability, aligning with criminal justice reform indicators like improved police practices.85% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareEstablishes mental health coordinators for law enforcement, directly supporting mental health services through training and education programs.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Mental Health

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passed · New York · Senate May 5, 2026

S 3158: Adds animal fighting to the definition of criminal activity for purposes of enterprise corruption crimes

This bill amends New York's Penal Law to explicitly include animal fighting as a qualifying felony for enterprise corruption charges. It directly affects individuals or groups operating animal fighting rings, as their activities will now count as "criminal activity" under enterprise corruption statutes. The key change adds "section three hundred fifty-one of the agriculture and markets law relating to animal fighting" to the list of felonies that trigger enterprise corruption penalties. This expands the scope of enterprise corruption prosecutions to cover animal fighting operations without changing the core definition of the crime.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeExpands enterprise corruption charges to include animal fighting, strengthening prosecution of organized crime rings under criminal justice statutes.92% confidence

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in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 731: Relates to repeat offenders of driving accidents

This bill amends New York's Penal Law and Criminal Procedure Law to clarify the legal definition of "repeat offenders" specifically for driving-related offenses. It updates the definition of a "second felony offender" to include individuals convicted of a felony under the Vehicle and Traffic Law after previous felony convictions, and adjusts misdemeanor definitions to include driving-related offenses that could become felonies with prior convictions. The bill directly affects people with multiple driving accident convictions who also have prior felony records, changing how these cases are classified under repeat offender sentencing rules. The changes are technical definitions within existing law, not new penalties or programs.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeBill expands felony classifications for driving offenses with prior convictions, increasing criminalization and penalties without reform elements.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Sentencing

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