Criminal Justice (Corrections)

in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 5976: Authorizes a study by the department of corrections and community supervision pertaining to the treatment of aging prison populations

This bill authorizes the Department of Corrections and Community Supervision (DOCCS) to conduct a study on the treatment and conditions of aging prison populations. The study will profile current elderly incarcerated individuals, project future populations, and examine factors contributing to their growth. It will also assess the adequacy of specialized housing, medical care, and programs provided to meet their unique needs, such as accessibility and accommodations for diminished capacity. DOCCS must report its findings, conclusions, and legislative recommendations to the governor and legislature within one year.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill authorizes study on aging prison populations' treatment, assessing care adequacy and needs, aligning with reform goals to improve correctional conditions for vulnerable inmates.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Probation & Parole

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in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 5884: Relates to establishing a crisis intervention team program

S 5884 establishes a crisis intervention demonstration program in New York City and other cities with populations of one million or more. It requires the state mental health commissioner to create a coordinator position to train law enforcement officers on responding to mental health and substance abuse crises, while partnering with community mental health providers to offer alternatives to jail. The program will be funded through a new state fund (initially up to $1 million from the state general fund) and federal/private grants, with annual reporting on training participation and program effectiveness. This bill directly affects law enforcement agencies in large cities that choose to participate, as well as mental health service providers and individuals experiencing behavioral health crises.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill allocates $1M from state general fund for crisis intervention program, directly funding a new initiative under budget appropriations.90% confidence ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeEstablishes crisis intervention teams to train officers on mental health crises, offering alternatives to jail instead of incarceration, promoting criminal justice reform.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareEstablishes mental health crisis program with law enforcement training and community partnerships, funded to improve access to alternatives to jail for mental health crises.95% confidence

Sub-Topics State Budget Corrections Mental Health Substance Abuse

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passed · New York · Senate May 28, 2026

S 5134: Establishes a uniform electronic medical records system for correctional facilities

Directs the commissioner of corrections and community supervision, in consultation with the commissioner of health and the commissioner of mental health, to develop a uniform electronic medical records system to be utilized by all correctional facilities in the state.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeCreates uniform medical records in correctional facilities, improving healthcare access and oversight in prisons, supporting rehabilitation and inmate health within criminal justice system.85% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareCreates uniform EMR system in correctional facilities, improving medical record access and coordination for inmates' healthcare, involving health/mental health officials.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Probation & Parole

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passed · New York · Senate Jun 5, 2026

S 1819: Provides that the results of urine tests conducted pursuant to a judicial diversion program shall be private and confidential

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.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeProtects defendant privacy in judicial diversion programs, preventing misuse of test results and supporting rehabilitation efforts per bill's confidentiality mandate.95% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyBill protects sensitive health data privacy by prohibiting unauthorized sharing of urine test results in judicial programs, aligning with data privacy indicators.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Courts Drug Policy

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in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 6401: Requires participation in an alcohol and drug rehabilitation program for certain first offenders

This bill requires courts to order certain first-time offenders convicted of alcohol or drug-related traffic offenses (like DUI) to attend and pay for approved rehabilitation programs as part of their sentence. It applies to individuals with no prior convictions for similar offenses, excluding those who participated in such programs within the past five years. Courts may deny participation for "good cause" (with documented reasons), and participants must complete the program to qualify for sentence termination, potentially ending any jail time imposed. The policy shifts sentencing focus from incarceration to treatment for eligible non-violent, first-time traffic violations involving alcohol or drugs.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeMandates rehabilitation for first-time DUI offenders, aligning with criminal justice reform goals to reduce recidivism through treatment rather than punishment.95% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationBill mandates rehabilitation for DUI offenders to reduce traffic incidents, enhancing transportation safety per topic definition.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Sentencing Traffic Safety

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in committee · New York · Senate Mar 17, 2026

S 395: Requires a reading proficiency level assessment and dyslexia screening for certain incarcerated individuals

Requires all incarcerated individuals who do not have a high-school diploma or its equivalent to receive a reading proficiency level assessment and dyslexia screening upon intake by the department of corrections; requires for such individuals who perform below a certain proficiency level to be provided with intervention services that are evidence-based, effective and consistent with science-based research specifically tailored to addressing dyslexia.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeMandates literacy/dyslexia interventions for incarcerated individuals to improve rehabilitation, directly advancing criminal justice reform through evidence-based correctional programming.92% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections

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in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 6640: Enacts the "correctional abuse accountability act"

Enacts the "correctional abuse accountability act"; requires actions by the department if a correctional officer seriously harms or is responsible for the death of an incarcerated individual.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill mandates department action for correctional officer misconduct causing harm/death, enhancing oversight and accountability in corrections, aligning with criminal justice reform indicators.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections

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in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 5815: Requires certain departmental security staff who interact with the incarcerated population to wear a body camera

Requires departmental security staff below the rank of captain who interact with the incarcerated population to wear a body camera while acting in the performance of their duties.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeMandates body cameras for correctional security staff to enhance accountability, aligning with criminal justice reform goals of transparency and oversight.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Policing

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passed · New York · Senate Jun 1, 2026

S 4583: Relates to the health, safety and human rights of incarcerated pregnant individuals, incarcerated birthing parents of children and their children

Relates to the health, safety and human rights of incarcerated pregnant individuals, incarcerated birthing parents and their children; requires the commissioner of corrections and community supervision to establish rules and regulations relating to conditions in institutions and correctional facilities and the treatment and care of birthing parents in such institutions and facilities.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeRequires humane treatment standards for incarcerated birthing parents, advancing human rights within correctional facilities per bill's explicit language.90% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates healthcare standards for incarcerated birthing parents, requiring treatment regulations to protect health and safety in correctional facilities.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Probation & Parole Women's Health

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in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 5800: Relates to providing electronic mail services to an incarcerated individual

Provides electronic mail services to an incarcerated individual which allows an incarcerated individual to send up to ten electronic mail letters a day at no charge.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeEnables inmate communication, supporting rehabilitation and reducing recidivism (key reform indicators).85% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections

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