Criminal Justice

in committee · New York · Senate Dec 17, 2025

S 3070: Relates to masked harassment

Establishes masked harassment when a person wears a mask or other face covering that intentionally hides or conceals their face for the primary purpose of menacing or threatening another person or placing another person or group of persons in reasonable fear for their physical safety.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeCreates new criminal offense for masked harassment, expanding criminalization of public safety behaviors without reform or accountability measures.90% confidence

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in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 8310: Enacts the "forensic rehabilitation act"; repealer

Enacts the "forensic rehabilitation act" relating to the custody of individuals following a verdict or plea of not responsible by reason of mental disease or defect.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeEnacts forensic rehabilitation program for mentally ill defendants, promoting treatment over incarceration per 'forensic rehabilitation act' title and custody focus.85% confidence

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in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 8230: Provides for access to legal counsel when a correctional facility has suspended visiting privileges

Directs the commissioner of corrections and community supervision to establish procedures to allow an incarcerated individual in a correctional facility which has suspended visiting privileges to have private meetings with their legal counsel.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeEnsures incarcerated individuals can meet with legal counsel privately during suspended visiting privileges, protecting defendant rights and aligning with criminal justice reform principles.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Probation & Parole

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in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 5497: Establishes certified recovery residences for individuals recovering from substance use disorder

This bill establishes certified recovery residences - supportive housing for 4-14 people recovering from substance use disorder - with state aid covering up to 50% of construction or operating costs. It requires providers to seek municipal approval for facility locations, giving local governments 40 days to review sites, suggest alternatives, or object based on neighborhood impact. If disputes arise, the state commissioner resolves them within 15 days, considering existing facility density and community character. The bill directly affects individuals in recovery, providers operating these residences, and local governments managing site approvals.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill allocates state funds (up to 50% of costs) for certified recovery residences, directly funding essential health services through state budget appropriations.95% confidence ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeFunds recovery residences to reduce recidivism through substance use treatment, aligning with criminal justice reform goals of improving rehabilitation programs.90% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareProvides state funding (50% cost coverage) for certified recovery residences, a healthcare service addressing substance use disorder treatment access and support.95% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingFunds certified recovery residences with state aid covering 50% costs, advancing supportive housing for vulnerable populations through direct financial support and development facilitation.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Substance Abuse Homelessness Zoning

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in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 8221: Relates to assaults against water authority employees

Bill A 8221 aims to enhance protections for employees of public water authorities. It elevates the charge for assault to a felony when committed against these employees. This applies if the assault occurs while the employee is performing their lawful duties of supplying water to state residents. The bill amends the penal law to include such water authority employees in a category of professionals whose assault, under specified conditions, carries increased penalties.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeBill elevates assault to felony for water authority employees, increasing penalties under sentencing policy.90% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentBill elevates assault penalties against water authority employees during duties, directly enhancing workplace safety protections for workers as defined in Labor & Employment policies.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Violent Crime

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in committee · New York · Senate Apr 29, 2026

S 3778: Establishes the chief administrator of the courts shall submit annually a report on the Drug Treatment Court Program during the preceding year

Establishes the chief administrator of the courts shall submit annually a report on the administration, function and effectiveness of the Drug Treatment Court Program during the preceding year.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeRequires annual evaluation of Drug Treatment Court Program's effectiveness, promoting rehabilitation-focused criminal justice reform and accountability.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts Drug Policy

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in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 3897: Requires the New York State Office of Mental Health to study the effects that awareness of or exposure to police shootings or killings of unarmed African Americans has on the mental health of African Americans

Requires the New York State Office of Mental Health to study the effects that awareness of or exposure to police shootings or killings of unarmed African Americans has on the mental health of African Americans in New York state and to deliver a finding of the results of such study to the governor and the legislative leaders.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill mandates study on police violence's mental health impact on Black communities, supporting accountability and reform efforts in criminal justice.85% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill mandates mental health study on police violence impacts, directly advancing mental health services research and policy development.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Policing Mental Health

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in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 3990: Includes community centers with a religious affiliation in the definition of public place for purposes of offenses against public order

Includes community centers with a religious affiliation in the definition of public place for purposes of offenses against public order; includes falsely reporting an incident and placing a false bomb or hazardous substance in the definition of specified offense for the purposes of hate crimes.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeExpands criminalization by including false reporting and false bomb threats in hate crime definitions, aligning with 'oppose' indicators of increased criminalization.85% confidence

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in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 3931: Relates to enacting "Sahim's law"

Relates to enacting "Sahim's law"; allows family members to bring civil actions on behalf of incarcerated individuals; establishes certain confidentiality requirements regarding civil actions brought against correction facility staff by or on behalf of incarcerated individuals.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeEnables family civil actions against correction staff, enhancing accountability in corrections systems per criminal justice reform indicators.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections

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in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 1522: Includes fires caused by the manufacture of a controlled substance within the crime of arson in the first degree

This bill amends New York's arson law to explicitly include fires caused by manufacturing controlled substances as first-degree arson. It directly affects individuals operating illegal drug labs, as setting a fire during such activity - whether at their own or another's property - will now be prosecuted as first-degree arson. The key provision expands the definition of first-degree arson to cover cases where a person destroys a building or causes injury while manufacturing a controlled substance in violation of drug laws. This change ensures fires from drug lab operations are treated as severe arson offenses, not just drug violations.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeExpands criminalization by classifying drug lab fires as first-degree arson, increasing penalties for illegal drug manufacturing activities.92% confidence

Sub-Topics Drug Policy

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