Criminal Justice

in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 5565: Relates to the execution of a warrant of arrest and establishes educational programs for judicial personnel on the law of searches, arrests and seizures

Relates to the execution of a warrant of arrest; authorizes the commissioner of the division of criminal justice services to establish a system to record and monitor the issuance and execution of search warrants; authorizes the chief administrator of the court system to establish educational programs for judicial personnel on the law of searches, arrests and seizures.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeEstablishes warrant monitoring system and judicial education on legal procedures, enhancing accountability and adherence to civil rights standards in arrests/seizures.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts

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in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 5904: Requires a mental health medical professional to examine incarcerated individuals in solitary confinement

Requires a mental health medical professional to examine incarcerated individuals in solitary confinement when such incarcerated individual is in such confinement for a period in excess of twenty-four hours.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill mandates mental health exams for inmates in solitary confinement beyond 24 hours, promoting humane treatment and reform in corrections, aligning with criminal justice reform goals.90% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates mental health evaluations for inmates in prolonged solitary confinement, enhancing access to mental health services within correctional facilities.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections

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in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 6451: Requires foster care records of incarcerated individual to be sent to a correctional facility

This bill requires correctional facilities to receive foster care records for incarcerated individuals who were previously in foster care. It mandates that the department obtain key details about their foster care history (including age entered and duration of care) and send a copy of these records to the facility where the person is held. This applies to all correctional facilities, including juvenile detention centers. The policy aims to provide relevant background information to correctional staff about individuals with foster care experience.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeProvides foster care history to correctional facilities to aid rehabilitation and reduce recidivism, aligning with criminal justice reform indicators.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Juvenile Justice

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in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 5817: Relates to temporary release eligibility for judicially ordered comprehensive alcohol and substance abuse treatment

This bill modifies New York's correction law to expand temporary release eligibility for incarcerated individuals who complete judicially-ordered substance abuse treatment in state facilities. It allows these individuals to qualify for temporary release programs (like work release or community service) without requiring parole eligibility, provided they meet specific criteria. However, it explicitly excludes individuals convicted of sex offenses, violent crimes involving deadly weapons, or serious physical injury, and requires commissioner approval for certain cases. The policy change directly affects incarcerated people in New York state correctional facilities participating in substance abuse treatment programs.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeExpands temporary release for substance abuse treatment completers, promoting rehabilitation and reducing recidivism in corrections system.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill expands access to substance abuse treatment by enabling temporary release post-completion, supporting healthcare continuity for incarcerated individuals without restricting access.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Probation & Parole Substance Abuse

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in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 4491: Relates to comparing fingerprints of a defendant against the statewide database

This bill allows courts to order fingerprint comparisons against statewide and national databases for defendants in criminal cases. It requires courts to determine first that the fingerprints meet federal or state standards, and second that a different outcome was likely if the comparison had been done earlier (e.g., a more favorable verdict or no conviction). The law directly affects defendants seeking to challenge prior convictions based on new fingerprint evidence. It creates a specific legal pathway for courts to review such evidence without changing how fingerprints are collected during investigations. The bill focuses on post-conviction relief, not new investigations.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill allows defendants to challenge prior convictions using new fingerprint evidence, promoting correction of wrongful convictions and protecting defendant rights - key criminal justice reform principles.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts

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in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 5895: Provides for orders of protection for harassment

This bill amends New York's criminal procedure law to clarify when courts can issue orders of protection for harassment victims during criminal cases. It specifies that courts may issue temporary protection orders while a case is pending and must state reasons for issuing or denying final protection orders after sentencing. The bill sets new maximum durations for these orders based on offense type: up to 8 years for felony convictions (10 years for certain sexual assault cases), 5 years for class A misdemeanors (6 years for sexual assault), and 2 years for other offenses. These changes directly affect courts handling criminal cases, defendants convicted of harassment-related crimes, and victims seeking legal protection.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeClarifies court procedures for victim protection orders, enhancing victim safety and judicial accountability in criminal cases.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Domestic Violence Sentencing Violent Crime

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in committee · New York · Senate Feb 4, 2025

S 768: Relates to breast cancer screening and diagnostic testing for incarcerated individuals in accordance with certain nationally recognized clinical practice guidelines

Provides incarcerated individuals with access to breast cancer screening and diagnostic testing in accordance with certain nationally recognized clinical practice guidelines.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill mandates breast cancer screening for incarcerated individuals, improving correctional health services (a component of criminal justice). This strengthens conditions within the corrections system.80% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareProvides breast cancer screening access for incarcerated individuals, improving healthcare access for a vulnerable population.95% confidence

Track

in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 5492: Relates to establishing a judicial diversion program for young defendants

This bill establishes a judicial diversion program for defendants under 24 charged with non-violent felonies or misdemeanors, allowing them to avoid a criminal conviction by completing a 16-month job training program. Eligibility excludes those with prior violent felony convictions, persistent offender status, or pending violent charges, though prosecutors may later permit participation. Participants must complete job training (including job opportunities and wages), attend court check-ins, and avoid criminal activity during the program. Upon successful completion, the court can dismiss the original charges or allow the defendant to withdraw a guilty plea and enter a misdemeanor plea with probation.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeEstablishes judicial diversion for non-violent young defendants via job training, reducing convictions and promoting rehabilitation - core criminal justice reform.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts Juvenile Justice Probation & Parole

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in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 1405: Relates to establishing gang courts pilot program

This bill establishes a five-year pilot program for specialized "gang courts" in Orange, Nassau, and Suffolk counties, starting January 1, 2026, and ending January 1, 2031. The courts will handle criminal cases involving groups of three or more people actively engaged in criminal conduct, as defined by the bill. Funding must come from a mix of federal grants (from the U.S. Department of Justice) and state/local resources, with the chief administrator of the courts overseeing setup and procedures. Cases will be transferred to these specialized courts from regular county courts for gang-related offenses, operating under rules set by the chief administrator.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeCreates specialized gang courts pilot program with DOJ funding to address group criminal cases through structured court procedures, aligning with criminal justice reform goals.92% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts

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in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 1586: Relates to the application of bail in certain prostitution and labor trafficking cases

This bill modifies bail procedures for defendants charged with specific crimes related to prostitution and labor trafficking. It adds provisions requiring courts to consider bail or remand in cases involving promoting prostitution (under Penal Law §§ 230.25, 230.30, 230.32) or compelling prostitution (§ 230.33), as well as labor trafficking (§ 135.35) or aggravated labor trafficking (§ 135.37). Prosecutors must show reasonable cause that the defendant committed the offense, and courts may release defendants on their own recognizance or under non-monetary conditions if the alleged harm (like negligible theft) appears unrelated to further criminal activity. The bill directly affects individuals facing these specific charges in New York courts.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeRequires prosecutorial justification for bail in trafficking/prostitution cases, protecting defendant rights and aligning with criminal justice reform goals of reducing unnecessary detention.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Human Trafficking

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