Criminal Justice

in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 3522: Prohibits sex offenders whose victim was a child and level 3 sex offenders from knowingly being within 1,000 feet of a facility where pre-kindergarten or kindergarten instruction is provided

Prohibits a sex offender whose victim was a child and level 3 sex offenders from knowingly being within 1,000 feet of a facility where pre-kindergarten or kindergarten instruction is provided.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill restricts sex offenders near schools to protect children, advancing public safety within criminal justice policy.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Victims' Rights

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in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 7532: Relates to the state board of parole membership, interviews with incarcerated individuals, and determination of parole

Allows for the removal of members of the state board of parole by a majority vote in the senate and the assembly; requires three or more members of such board personally interview potential parolees; requires that the determination to parole an incarcerated individual be unanimous.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeRequires unanimous parole decisions and mandatory interviews, increasing barriers to release, opposing reform efforts to reduce incarceration.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Probation & Parole

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in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 2114: Enacts the "vehicular violence accountability act"

The Vehicular Violence Accountability Act (S 2114) defines vehicular violence and establishes new related offenses. The bill requires prospective drivers to learn about vehicular violence through new components in driver's license tests and pre-licensing courses. These courses will educate applicants on the dangers of vehicular crimes that cause injury or death to another individual. Additionally, it creates a new article in the penal law, outlining specific crimes such as serious physical injury or death by vehicle.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeCreates new vehicular violence offenses and penal law article, expanding criminalization85% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationBill mandates driver education on vehicular violence dangers to enhance road safety, directly aligning with transportation safety indicators.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Driver Licensing

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in committee · New York · Assembly Jun 11, 2025

A 7446: Authorizes the county of Rockland to impose an additional rate of sales and compensating use taxes

This bill authorizes Rockland County to add two separate sales and use tax rates through 2027. It allows a 0.625% (five-eighths of one percent) tax from March 2022 to November 2027, and an additional 0.375% (three-eighths of one percent) tax starting March 2027. The revenue from these taxes must be distributed to towns and villages: 20% based on population during the first period, and 16.67% to 33.33% based on police department staffing during the second period. The funds cannot be used for salaries of police officers or other existing wage agreements.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAuthorizes additional sales tax rates (0.625% + 0.375%) to fund local government services, increasing tax revenue allocation for towns/villages.95% confidence ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeDirectly allocates tax revenue based on police staffing, funding law enforcement as a core component of criminal justice.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Sales Tax Policing

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in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 8286: Prohibits participation in torture of incarcerated individuals by health professionals

Prohibits participation in torture of incarcerated individuals by health professionals; prohibits a health care professional from engaging, assisting or planning the torture of an incarcerated individual; requires health care professionals to report torture.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeProhibits health professionals from torturing incarcerated individuals and mandates reporting, aligning with civil rights protection and criminal justice reform indicators.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareProhibits health professionals from participating in torture, protecting patient rights and ethical standards in healthcare practice.95% confidence

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in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 5094: Authorizes the state board of parole to require a violent felony offender to serve their maximum term, if release would pose an imminent threat to society

Authorizes the state board of parole to require a violent felony offender to serve their maximum term, if, by clear and convincing evidence, release would pose an imminent threat to society; authorizes the withholding of good behavior allowances of violent felony offenders by the state board of parole upon such a finding.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeBill mandates maximum terms for violent offenders via parole board discretion, restricting early release and withholding good behavior allowances - directly increasing mandatory sentencing and limiting parole access.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Probation & Parole

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in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 2461: Prohibits the use of cell-site simulators by law enforcement officers

This New York bill prohibits law enforcement officers and agencies from using cell-site simulators - devices that mimic cell towers to track phones without consent. It directly affects law enforcement (including police officers and agencies) and individuals whose phone data might be collected through these devices. Key provisions ban the use, acquisition, or third-party agreements involving such technology, require illegally obtained evidence to be suppressed in court, and allow affected individuals to sue for up to $5,000 per violation or actual damages. The law also permits class-action lawsuits and awards legal fees to successful plaintiffs.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeProhibits warrantless law enforcement surveillance via cell-site simulators, protecting individual privacy rights and aligning with criminal justice reform principles by limiting overreach.95% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyBans cell-site simulators used for unauthorized phone tracking, directly strengthening data privacy protections under technology policy.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts Policing

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in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 21, 2026

A 1009: Relates to certain criminal penalties for driving while impaired by alcohol or drugs

This bill requires drivers pleading guilty to a basic impaired driving offense (subdivision one) to complete an alcohol or drug rehabilitation program, unless the court waives this requirement due to prior screening or assessment requirements. It increases fines for repeat offenses: a second offense within five years carries $500-$750, and a third offense within ten years is punishable by up to 180 days in jail or $1,500. The law applies to all drivers charged with impaired driving under New York's vehicle and traffic law and takes effect immediately.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeMandates rehab programs for first-time impaired driving offenders, promoting treatment over punishment and aligning with criminal justice reform goals to reduce recidivism.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Courts

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in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 412: Relates to criminal impersonation in the first degree

This bill (A 412) amends New York's penal law to add two new scenarios to the definition of criminal impersonation in the first degree. It specifically targets individuals pretending to be utility company employees (e.g., for maintenance or billing) or delivery personnel (e.g., for food, packages, or beverages) while on another person's property. The law prohibits falsely claiming authority by wearing uniforms, badges, or using other insignia without permission from the actual company. This makes such impersonation a class E felony, directly affecting those who deceive others for access to private property or to commit crimes.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeBill expands criminalization by adding impersonation scenarios for utility/delivery personnel, increasing punishable offenses under penal law.90% confidence

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in committee · New York · Senate Jan 10, 2025

S 18: Relates to authorizing bail and pre-trial detention for arson felonies

This bill (S 18, "Billy's Law") amends New York's criminal procedure law to require judges to consider bail or pre-trial detention for individuals charged with specific arson felonies. It directly affects people facing charges for arson in the fourth degree (penal law §150.05) or arson in the third degree (penal law §150.10) during pre-trial proceedings. The key provision adds these arson offenses to existing categories where judges may deny release - such as for certain violent crimes or firearm charges - without requiring the defendant to prove they won't flee. Judges must still assess if the defendant poses a risk, but the bill makes arson felonies automatically subject to these detention considerations. The law takes effect 90 days after enactment.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeRequires pre-trial detention consideration for arson offenses, restricting defendant bail rights and increasing pre-trial detention likelihood.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Firearms

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