Criminal Justice

in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 3446: Relates to creating a contraband and drug information hotline

This bill creates a statewide, toll-free hotline for reporting contraband (including weapons, dangerous instruments, and drugs) in New York state correctional facilities. It directly affects incarcerated individuals, staff, and visitors by providing a 24/7 anonymous channel to report contraband introductions or possession. The hotline must accept all reports year-round, with the commissioner required to establish rules for its operation. The law defines "contraband" to cover specific weapons, dangerous objects, and controlled substances as outlined in existing penal codes.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill creates a hotline for reporting contraband in correctional facilities, directly strengthening security and safety within the corrections system, a core component of criminal justice.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Drug Policy

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passed both · New York · Senate May 28, 2026

S 3974: Relates to failure to complete a program for time allowances due to circumstances beyond an individual's control

This bill (S 3974) amends New York State correction law to ensure incarcerated individuals do not lose earned time allowances if they fail to complete assigned work or treatment programs due to circumstances beyond their control (e.g., medical issues or facility disruptions). It specifically revises sections of the correction law to clarify that time credits - earned through good behavior, program participation, or educational/vocational achievements - must not be withheld for such unavoidable circumstances. The policy directly affects incarcerated people in state facilities who qualify for time reductions under existing programs. The change aligns with current provisions but explicitly prevents punitive withholding of time allowances for factors outside an individual’s control.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticePrevents loss of earned time credits for unavoidable program failures, supporting rehabilitation and reducing recidivism risks in correctional systems.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections

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passed · New York · Senate Apr 22, 2026

S 4357: Authorizes vocational training, where practicable, to incarcerated individuals on the installation of solar hot water systems for the provision of hot water to correctional facilities

Authorizes vocational training, where practicable, to incarcerated individuals on the installation of solar hot water systems for the provision of hot water to correctional facilities.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeAuthorizes vocational training for incarcerated individuals, promoting rehabilitation and reducing recidivism through skills development in solar systems installation - directly aligns with criminal justice reform indicators.95% confidence ✓ EnergySupports EnergyBill authorizes vocational training for installing solar hot water systems in correctional facilities, directly advancing renewable energy infrastructure through solar adoption.95% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentPromotes clean energy use via solar installations in facilities, reducing reliance on non-renewable energy sources.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Solar

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in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 7352: Relates to enacting the "fair court of appeals access act"

This bill, "Fair Court of Appeals Access Act," changes how criminal defendants request permission to appeal to the Court of Appeals. It requires all applications for leave to appeal from intermediate appellate court orders to be submitted directly to the full Court of Appeals (not to individual judges or justices), applying to all criminal appeals filed after the law's effective date. Key provisions include mandating written submissions to the Court of Appeals clerk (with the chief judge designating a judge to review), replacing current options where some applications could go to appellate division justices, and requiring immediate filing of all decisions. This directly affects criminal defendants seeking higher court review of lower court rulings.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeMandates direct submission to full Court of Appeals for criminal appeals, enhancing defendant access and reducing individual judge discretion in appeal processing95% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts Judges

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in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 4028: Requires the disclosure of video footage related to the death of an incarcerated individual involving a correctional officer

Requires the disclosure of video footage related to the death of an incarcerated individual involving a correctional officer to the attorney general's office of special investigation.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeMandates video disclosure for investigations into correctional officer-involved deaths, enhancing accountability and transparency in corrections oversight.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections

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died · New York · Senate Jun 1, 2026

S 5037: Establishes visiting policies for incarcerated individuals

Establishes visiting policies for incarcerated people, to provide incarcerated people opportunities for personal contact with relatives, friends, clergy, volunteers and other persons to promote better institutional adjustment and better community adjustment upon release.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill promotes rehabilitation by enabling family/visitation to improve institutional adjustment and community reintegration, aligning with criminal justice reform indicators.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections

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failed · New York · Assembly Apr 21, 2026

A 7327: Makes the crimes of menacing and stalking bail eligible

This bill amends New York's criminal procedure law to make menacing and stalking charges eligible for release without cash bail. It adds specific definitions of menacing (Penal Law §§ 120.13-120.15) and stalking (Penal Law §§ 120.45-120.60) to the list of offenses where defendants may be released on their own recognizance or under non-monetary conditions. The law requires prosecutors to show reasonable cause that the defendant committed the crime, but courts may still allow non-monetary release if the offense appears minor (e.g., negligible property damage). This directly affects individuals charged with these specific crimes who would otherwise face cash bail requirements.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill eliminates cash bail for menacing/stalking, advancing bail reform to reduce pretrial detention and protect civil rights per criminal justice reform indicators.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Domestic Violence

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in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 407: Prohibits the use of reverse location and reverse keyword searches

Prohibits the search, with or without a warrant, of geolocation and keyword data of a group of people who are under no individual suspicion of having committed a crime, but rather are defined by having been at a given location at a given time or searched particular words, phrases, character strings, or websites.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeProhibits warrantless bulk geolocation/keyword searches without individual suspicion, protecting civil rights and enhancing law enforcement accountability per criminal justice reform indicators.90% confidence ✓ ImmigrationSupports ImmigrationBill A 407 prohibits mass surveillance via reverse location/keyword searches, protecting privacy for all, including immigrants, from potential targeting by enforcement agencies without individual suspicion.75% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyThe bill prohibits suspicionless searches of geolocation and keyword data, directly protecting data privacy and digital rights within the technology domain.95% confidence

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passed · New York · Senate Jun 12, 2025

R 1245: Establishes a plan setting forth an itemized list of grantees for a certain appropriation for the 2025-2026 state fiscal year for community safety and restorative justice programs

This Senate Resolution (R 1245) requires the state to create and approve an itemized list of organizations receiving funds for community safety and restorative justice programs in the 2025-2026 fiscal year. It directly affects local government agencies, community-based nonprofits, and service providers (like victim support groups, legal aid organizations, and violence prevention programs) by mandating that all allocated funds - totaling over $1 million - must be distributed according to a Senate-approved plan. Key provisions include requiring Senate leadership and the budget director to approve the grant list or allocation method before funds are spent, and allowing limited fund transfers between state agencies like victim services or domestic violence prevention offices. The resolution specifies exact amounts for 28 grantees, including $200,000 to Empire Justice Center and $100,000 to Women's Initiative for Self-Empowerment Inc., for programs addressing issues like domestic violence, gun violence prevention, and alternatives to incarceration.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesMandates itemized fund distribution for community safety/restorative justice programs, ensuring $1M+ in allocated budget supports essential services without defunding.90% confidence ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeFunds restorative justice programs including victim support and violence prevention, aligning with criminal justice reform goals like rehabilitation and community safety.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Domestic Violence Firearms

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passed · New York · Senate Jun 12, 2025

R 1237: Establishes an itemized list of grantees for the 2024-25 state fiscal year for services and expenses, grants or reimbursement of expenses incurred by providers of community safety and restorative justice programs

Senate Resolution R1237 requires an itemized list of grantees for state funds allocated to community safety and restorative justice programs during the 2024-25 fiscal year. It directly affects local governments, non-profit organizations, and community-based providers offering services like survivor support for sexual assault/domestic violence, gun violence prevention, legal aid, and alternatives to incarceration. The bill mandates that any allocation plan must be approved by the Senate President and Budget Director, then passed as a Senate resolution with a majority vote. This ensures transparency in distributing funds for programs including re-entry initiatives, community supervision, and violence reduction strategies.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeFunds community safety/restorative justice programs including alternatives to incarceration, aligning with reform indicators like reducing recidivism and non-punitive solutions.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Domestic Violence Victims' Rights

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