Criminal Justice (Drug Policy)

in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 7126: Relates to bail for certain offenses involving the sale or possession with intent to sell of a controlled substance or a synthetic opioid

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.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeRequires bail for drug offenses, increasing pretrial detention and restricting defendant rights, aligning with oppose indicators.92% confidence

Sub-Topics Drug Policy

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failed · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 4228: Establishes a contraband screening plan which includes a canine at the entrance of each correctional facility

Establishes a contraband screening plan which includes a canine at the entrance of each correctional facility to detect the presence of illegal drugs.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill enhances correctional facility safety via drug screening, reducing contraband-related issues that hinder rehabilitation and increase recidivism, aligning with reform goals.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Drug Policy

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in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 1437: Enacts the "criminal forfeiture process act"; repealer

This bill replaces New York's existing criminal forfeiture process with a new "Criminal Forfeiture Process Act." It applies specifically to property seized in connection with certain felony drug offenses, prostitution, driving under the influence, or property seized during hot pursuit of a felony suspect. Key changes include requiring courts to hold prompt hearings after seizure, mandating notice to all known property owners (including "innocent owners" who didn't know their property was used in crime), and making forfeiture proceedings part of the criminal trial rather than a separate civil case. The law also clarifies that contraband or stolen property must be disposed of or returned per state law, and prohibits civil forfeiture.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeReplaces forfeiture process with safeguards: prompt hearings and notice to owners, protecting civil rights in criminal cases per bill's notice/mandate requirements.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Drug Policy

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in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 5917: Makes any offense involving the use or possession of a firearm, shotgun or rifle bail eligible

This bill (S 5917) changes New York law to make **all misdemeanor and felony charges involving the use or possession of a firearm, shotgun, or rifle eligible for bail**. It directly affects defendants charged with these firearm-related offenses who would previously have been held without bail. The key provision adds a new category to existing bail rules, requiring prosecutors to show reasonable cause for the charge but allowing courts to generally permit release on bail. This expands bail eligibility beyond prior restrictions that limited it to specific firearm crimes or cases involving harm to people or property.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeExpands bail eligibility for firearm charges, reducing pretrial detention and aligning with criminal justice reform goals to protect defendant rights and reduce unnecessary incarceration.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Drug Policy Firearms

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in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 4565: Creates the office of expungement and automatic sealing

Creates the office of expungement and automatic sealing within the division of criminal justice services to oversee the sealing and expungement of certain convictions.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeCreates office for expungement/sealing of convictions, directly advancing criminal justice reform by reducing barriers for individuals with past records and aligning with recidivism reduction and civil rights protection indicators.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Drug Policy

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in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 990: Classifies criminal possession of a firearm from a class E felony to a class D felony

S 990 reclassifies criminal possession of a firearm from a class E felony to a class D felony under New York's penal law. This change directly affects individuals convicted of possessing a firearm without proper registration, reducing the severity of the penalty for this offense. The bill amends Section 265.01-b of the penal law to update the felony classification, which would result in potentially lighter sentencing for such convictions. The key mechanism is the straightforward reclassification of the offense level, without altering the underlying conduct or registration requirements. This is a substantive policy change affecting sentencing for a specific criminal charge.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeReclassifies firearm possession from E to D felony, reducing penalty severity aligning with criminal justice reform goals of less severe sentencing for non-violent offenses.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Drug Policy Firearms Sentencing

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in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 7076: Increases certain penalties for certain crimes relating to criminal possession of a weapon or firearm and to the release of information pertaining to youthful and adolescent offenders; repealer

Increases certain penalties for certain crimes relating to criminal possession of a weapon or firearm; relates to the release of information to the public, schools or law enforcement pertaining to youthful and adolescent offenders; establishes the crime of criminal solicitation of a minor in a violent felony; repeals certain provisions relating to disclosure of law enforcement arrest or booking photographs of an individual.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeIncreases penalties for weapon crimes and creates new offenses (criminal solicitation of minors), directly expanding criminalization and harsher sentencing per 'oppose' indicators.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Drug Policy Firearms Juvenile Justice

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in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 3600: Decriminalizes possession of controlled substances, establishes the drug decriminalization task force; repealer

Eliminates criminal and civil penalties for possession of controlled substances; establishes the drug decriminalization task force to develop recommendations for reforming state laws, regulations and practices so that they align with the stated goal of treating substance use disorder as a disease, rather than a criminal behavior.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeDecriminalizes drug possession, treats substance use as health issue not crime, aligns with reform goals to reduce criminalization and prioritize treatment over punishment.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill explicitly treats substance use disorder as a disease (not criminal), removing barriers to healthcare access and aligning with public health approaches to treatment.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Drug Policy Substance Abuse

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in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 5110: Relates to bail for certain felony offenses involving the manufacture, sale, distribution, or possession with intent to sell synthetic opioids

Authorizes the imposition of bail for certain felony offenses involving the manufacture, sale, distribution, or possession with intent to sell synthetic opioids.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeMandates bail for synthetic opioid offenses, restricting pretrial release rights and expanding criminalization of drug-related felonies.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Drug Policy

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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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