Criminal Justice

in committee · New York · Senate May 12, 2026

S 1209: Eliminates mandatory minimum sentences; repealer

S 1209, the "Marvin Mayfield Act," eliminates mandatory minimum sentences for felony convictions by amending sentencing laws. It requires courts to issue written sentencing decisions explaining individualized findings, rather than applying fixed minimum terms. The bill also expands pre-sentence reports to include analysis of incarceration costs and increases access to these reports for defendants and their attorneys before sentencing. This directly affects individuals convicted of felonies in New York State, shifting sentencing focus toward rehabilitation and community safety over rigid minimum terms.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeEliminates mandatory minimums, requires individualized sentencing, and expands pre-sentence reports to promote fairer judicial outcomes and reduce unjust incarceration.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Sentencing

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in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 5793: Repeals provisions of the executive law relating to probation and prohibits certain fees relating thereto

Relates to probation administrative fees; prohibits certain fees associated with probation; provides for the termination and discharge of certain sentences.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeProhibits probation fees, reducing financial barriers for individuals under supervision and aligning with criminal justice reform goals to improve rehabilitation and reduce recidivism.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Probation & Parole

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in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 1905: Makes the crimes of menacing and stalking bail eligible

S 1905 amends New York's criminal procedure law to make charges of menacing and stalking eligible for bail consideration. Specifically, it adds these crimes to the list of offenses where defendants may be released on bail (rather than being held without bail), by creating new qualifying offense categories in sections 510.10 and 530.40. The bill directly affects individuals charged with menacing (under Penal Law sections 120.13-120.15) or stalking (under sections 120.45-120.60). This change modifies bail eligibility rules without altering the underlying criminal definitions of these offenses.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeAllows bail eligibility for menacing/stalking charges, reducing pretrial detention and aligning with criminal justice reform goals to protect defendant rights.92% confidence

Sub-Topics Domestic Violence

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in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 5123: Provides an incarcerated individual time for mental health services

Provides that, to the extent practicable, any incarcerated individual who is receiving mental health services or participating in a mental health program shall not have the time spent participating in such mental health services or programs deducted from any other activity time such incarcerated individual receives.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeEnsures mental health program time isn't deducted from other activities, supporting rehabilitation in corrections as part of criminal justice reform.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill ensures incarcerated individuals retain activity time while receiving mental health services, directly supporting access to mental health care without restrictions.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Mental Health

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in committee · New York · Senate Mar 17, 2026

S 3795: Relates to prohibiting colleges from asking about an applicant's prior arrests or convictions during the pre-admissions process

This bill prohibits colleges and universities from asking about an applicant's prior arrests (that didn't result in conviction) or sealed criminal convictions during the admissions process. It directly affects individuals with criminal records who apply to higher education institutions. After admission, colleges may inquire about criminal history only to provide support services or determine participation in campus activities, but must use an individualized process considering factors like time since conviction and rehabilitation, not deny access outright. Colleges cannot rescind admission offers based on past convictions, and must provide written appeal procedures for any activity restrictions. The law applies broadly to all degree-granting institutions of higher education in the state.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeProhibits colleges from asking about non-conviction arrests/sealed records, reducing barriers to education for people with criminal records - aligns with criminal justice reform goals.95% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationRemoves admissions barrier for applicants with criminal records, expanding higher education access and aligning with educational access indicators.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Higher Education

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in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 857: Restores judicial discretion relating to bail reform; repealer

Restores judicial discretion relating to bail reform; provides that when the defendant is charged with a felony, the court shall request of the applicable county pre-trial services agency a risk and needs assessment be conducted on the eligible defendant for the purpose of determining whether such defendant should be released on the defendant's own recognizance, released under non-monetary conditions or, where authorized, bail or commit the defendant to the custody of the sheriff; defines risks and needs assessment; makes related provisions.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeRestores judicial discretion in bail decisions, requiring risk assessments to reduce cash bail reliance, aligning with criminal justice reform principles.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts

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in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 886: Relates to establishing minimum rules for the treatment of incarcerated individuals

Relates to establishing minimum rules for the treatment of incarcerated individuals; provides that the United Nations standard minimum rules for the treatment of prisoners, also known as the Nelson Mandela rules, are hereby incorporated by reference.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeIncorporates Nelson Mandela Rules (UN standards) promoting humane prison conditions, rehabilitation, and prisoner rights - aligns with criminal justice reform indicators.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Human Trafficking

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in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 1537: Prohibits the use of DNA phenotyping in criminal prosecutions and proceedings

This bill prohibits law enforcement agencies from using or contracting for DNA phenotyping, which predicts physical traits (like eye color or ancestry) from DNA samples, in criminal investigations or prosecutions. It bans all evidence derived from this technology from being used as reasonable cause for arrest or in court, and requires existing DNA phenotyping data held by police to be destroyed immediately. Any conviction linked to such evidence becomes eligible for legal review. The law directly affects police departments, prosecutors, and criminal court proceedings by eliminating a specific investigative tool.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBans DNA phenotyping evidence in criminal cases, restricting potentially biased investigative tools to protect civil rights and due process, aligning with reform goals.95% confidence ✗ TechnologyOpposes TechnologyBill prohibits DNA phenotyping (a technology processing genetic data for trait prediction) in criminal cases, banning its use and requiring data destruction to protect privacy. This restricts a specific technology's application in law enforcement,...90% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts Policing

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in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 7029: Relates to expanding prison work release program eligibility and participation

This bill expands eligibility for prison work release programs by adjusting who qualifies. It allows incarcerated individuals eligible for parole within two years (or 18 months for certain drug offenders) to participate, while maintaining exclusions for those convicted of escape, specific violent offenses (like aggravated harassment), or sex crimes. Key provisions include requiring 18 months served for second felony drug offenders and barring participation for individuals convicted of murder, rape, or persistent sexual abuse. The bill also mandates department reviews if parole is denied during participation and requires commissioner approval for certain high-risk cases.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeExpands work release eligibility for non-violent offenders, promoting rehabilitation and reducing recidivism - key criminal justice reform goals.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Probation & Parole

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in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 1245: Revokes community supervision for certain conduct

This bill changes probation rules by restricting when people on community supervision (like probation) can be sent back to jail. It prohibits reincarceration for minor technical violations (such as curfew breaches, unpaid fees, or failing to notify a supervisor), but allows it for violations related to serious offenses like kidnapping, coercion, or firearm use. For absconding, it sets maximum jail periods (30 days for first violation, up to 90 days for repeat offenses). The law affects individuals on probation for specific crimes, particularly those involving violence or weapons, aiming to limit jail time for minor infractions while maintaining enforcement for high-risk conduct.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeRestricts reincarceration for minor probation violations (e.g., curfew breaches), aligning with criminal justice reform to reduce unnecessary incarceration and promote rehabilitation.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Firearms Probation & Parole

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