This bill (S 1819) ensures that urine test results from judicial diversion programs - where defendants avoid jail by completing treatment instead of facing criminal charges - are kept private and confidential. It directly affects individuals participating in these programs who undergo required drug testing as part of their court-ordered treatment. The law prohibits sharing test results with courts, prosecutors, or other parties without the defendant’s consent, and bans using positive results as evidence in future criminal cases. Treatment programs may still access results to support care, but the defendant’s privacy is protected from legal proceedings. The bill does not change testing requirements but safeguards the confidentiality of sensitive health information.
Relates to controlled substances and indeterminate sentences; relates to the expansion of merit time; repeals provisions relating to the allowance of limited credit time for incarcerated individuals.
Authorizes the imposition of bail for certain offenses involving the sale or possession with intent to sell of a controlled substance or a synthetic opioid.
Includes certain charges of criminal possession of a weapon in the third degree as a qualifying offense for consideration of an order of recognizance, release under non-monetary conditions or bail.
This bill criminalizes the sale, use, or possession of synthetic drugs (like "bath salts," "spice," or "synthetic marijuana") without a valid prescription. It broadly defines "synthetic drugs" to cover multiple chemical categories - including synthetic cannabinoids, cathinones, and related compounds - plus any structural analogs. The only exception is if a licensed physician prescribed the drug and the person can provide written proof to law enforcement. Each violation is treated as a separate offense, directly affecting individuals using these products without medical authorization.
Provides standards for correctional facilities in relation to medication assisted treatment for opioid use disorders and the testing for opioid use when an individual is first incarcerated.
Authorizes the court the discretion to release persons charged with certain crimes involving possession of a firearm on their own recognizance or under non-monetary conditions, fix bail, or commit the person to the custody of the sheriff.
This bill (A 6429) amends New York's penal law to remove an exception for second felony drug offenders. Specifically, it deletes language that previously allowed some second-time drug offenders (whose prior felony wasn't violent) to avoid mandatory sentencing. The bill repeals a related subdivision (Subdivision 4 of Section 70.70) and updates definitions in the criminal procedure law regarding prior convictions. These changes apply immediately to cases where sentencing occurs after the effective date, affecting second felony drug offenders who would no longer qualify for the removed exception.
This bill (S 1648) would have amended New York's criminal procedure law to allow bail for defendants charged with "aggravated cruelty to animals" under Agriculture and Markets Law § 353-a. It specifically added this offense to existing bail eligibility provisions that previously included firearm-related crimes (like third-degree weapons possession). The bill was defeated in the Codes committee on May 5, 2025, and did not become law. It directly affected individuals charged with severe animal cruelty offenses by changing their bail eligibility under state law.
Authorizes the court where there is criminal possession of stolen property to, in its discretion release the principal pending trial on the principal's own recognizance or under non-monetary conditions, fix bail, or order non-monetary conditions in conjunction with fixing bail, or, where the defendant is charged with a qualifying offense which is a felony, the court may commit the principal to the custody of the sheriff; makes related provisions.
