Criminal Justice

in committee · New York · Senate Feb 4, 2026

S 863: Increases access to substance abuse programming for incarcerated individuals whose first language is not English

This bill requires correctional facilities to ensure incarcerated individuals whose first language isn't English can understand, participate in, and complete substance abuse programs. It mandates specific actions like hiring more bilingual counselors, translating program materials, and creating targeted programs for non-English speakers. The commissioner must consult with the Office of Addiction Services and Supports to implement these changes. The law takes effect immediately upon passage.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeMandates language-accessible substance abuse programs in correctional facilities, directly improving rehabilitation access for non-English speakers - a key criminal justice reform goal to reduce recidivism.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections

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in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 4348: Requires the educational and vocational credits earned by incarcerated individuals are transferable upon release

Requires that curricula and educational programs provide incarcerated individuals the opportunity to earn educational or vocational credits which shall be transferable to an educational institution upon the release of the incarcerated individual.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeEnables post-release educational continuity, reducing recidivism through rehabilitation - directly aligns with criminal justice reform indicators.95% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationExpands educational access for incarcerated individuals by mandating transferable credits, directly aligning with 'enhancing student programs' and 'educational access' indicators.85% confidence

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failed · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 4228: Establishes a contraband screening plan which includes a canine at the entrance of each correctional facility

Establishes a contraband screening plan which includes a canine at the entrance of each correctional facility to detect the presence of illegal drugs.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill enhances correctional facility safety via drug screening, reducing contraband-related issues that hinder rehabilitation and increase recidivism, aligning with reform goals.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Drug Policy

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in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 1159: Designates offenses against law enforcement officers as hate crimes and makes graffiti a hate crime

This bill amends New York's penal law to expand hate crime designations. It adds "actual or perceived employment as a law enforcement officer" as a protected characteristic, meaning attacks against police officers motivated by bias can now be classified as hate crimes. It also explicitly includes "making graffiti" (under section 145.60) as a specified offense that qualifies as a hate crime when committed due to bias against a protected characteristic. This change affects individuals who commit certain offenses (like assault or graffiti) with bias targeting law enforcement or other protected traits, potentially increasing penalties for those acts.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeExpands hate crime protections to include law enforcement officers and bias-motivated graffiti, strengthening legal safeguards against bias-based violence per civil rights indicators.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Civil Rights Policing Violent Crime

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in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 1400: Relates to providing increased and uniform training requirements and outreach for law enforcement and establishes law enforcement peer support

Relates to providing increased and uniform training requirements including implicit bias, use of force, first aid and firearm training, and outreach for law enforcement; establishes law enforcement peer support through the office of mental health.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeMandates implicit bias and use of force training for law enforcement, establishes peer support for mental health, directly advancing accountability and reform within criminal justice.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Firearms Law Enforcement Policing

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in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 6438: Provides for the re-enfranchisement of voters with felony convictions; repealer

This bill removes a disqualification for voting based on felony convictions by repealing specific sections of election law. It directly affects individuals with felony convictions who were previously barred from voting due to these disqualifications. The key mechanism is the deletion of language in voter registration rules that listed felony convictions as a reason for canceling registration. The bill makes it so that a felony conviction no longer automatically disqualifies someone from voting under state election law. This change takes effect immediately upon enactment.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeRestores voting rights for felons, advancing criminal justice reform by protecting civil rights and eliminating post-conviction voting barriers.95% confidence

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in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 5108: Establishes the housing for an equitable reentry and opportunity (HERO) act

Establishes the housing for an equitable reentry and opportunity (HERO) act to prohibit housing discrimination on the basis of criminal legal system involvement; defines criminal legal system involvement.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeProhibits housing discrimination based on criminal legal system involvement, directly reducing reentry barriers and advancing rehabilitation - core criminal justice reform goals.95% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingProhibits housing discrimination based on criminal justice involvement, directly advancing tenant protections as defined in topic indicators.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Civil Rights Probation & Parole Tenant Rights

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passed · New York · Senate Feb 24, 2026

S 1892: Expands who may visit local correctional facilities

Expands who may visit local correctional facilities to include persons and accompanying staff of the chief executive officer of a county, members of a county legislative body, mayor of the city of New York, New York city public advocate, New York city comptroller, and members of the New York city council.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeExpands oversight access to correctional facilities via elected officials, enhancing transparency and accountability - a key criminal justice reform indicator.92% confidence

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in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 1437: Enacts the "criminal forfeiture process act"; repealer

This bill replaces New York's existing criminal forfeiture process with a new "Criminal Forfeiture Process Act." It applies specifically to property seized in connection with certain felony drug offenses, prostitution, driving under the influence, or property seized during hot pursuit of a felony suspect. Key changes include requiring courts to hold prompt hearings after seizure, mandating notice to all known property owners (including "innocent owners" who didn't know their property was used in crime), and making forfeiture proceedings part of the criminal trial rather than a separate civil case. The law also clarifies that contraband or stolen property must be disposed of or returned per state law, and prohibits civil forfeiture.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeReplaces forfeiture process with safeguards: prompt hearings and notice to owners, protecting civil rights in criminal cases per bill's notice/mandate requirements.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Drug Policy

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in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 5251: Relates to the custody of defendants who are subject to electronic location monitoring

This bill clarifies the legal status of defendants under electronic location monitoring. It specifies that such defendants are not considered "confined" in custody or committed to the sheriff's custody for specific legal purposes. The law amends two sections of the criminal procedure code to exclude these individuals from custody definitions used in other statutes. This directly affects defendants on electronic monitoring instead of jail, changing how their status is treated in legal proceedings. The change takes effect immediately upon enactment.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeClarifies electronic monitoring defendants aren't 'confined,' reducing unnecessary jail time and aligning with criminal justice reform goals to minimize incarceration.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections

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