Criminal Justice

in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 6497: Relates to the crime of luring a child

This bill (A 6497) amends New York's luring a child statute to explicitly include online communication as a method of committing the crime. It makes it illegal for someone 18+ to use a computer to solicit sexual contact, sexual performances, or in-person contact with a minor under 17, with the intent to commit specific sex offenses or violent felonies. The law expands the definition of "luring" to cover electronic communication (like messages or images) that targets children, while clarifying terms like "child" (under 17), "computer," and "sexual contact." It maintains that luring remains a felony, with severity depending on the underlying crime the perpetrator intended to commit.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeExpands luring statute to explicitly cover online solicitation of minors, strengthening legal protections against child exploitation under criminal justice framework.95% confidence

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in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 599: Relates to the definition of serious offense and felony offenses against animals for purposes of possession of a firearm

This bill amends New York's penal law to include certain felony animal cruelty offenses as "serious offenses" under firearm possession restrictions. It specifically adds violations of Agriculture and Markets Law sections 351, 353-a, 360, 361, and Penal Law section 242.15 to the list of crimes that prohibit firearm possession. As a result, individuals convicted of these specific animal cruelty felonies would be barred from possessing firearms, aligning their legal status with other serious offenses under current law.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeExpands firearm restrictions for animal cruelty felons, aligning with public safety measures under criminal justice framework by adding specific offenses to serious crime list.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Drug Policy Firearms

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in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 4209: Requires police agencies to file reports of civil rights offenses

Requires police agencies to report offenses to the division of criminal justice services which appear to such agency to be motivated by the race, national origin, religion or sexual orientation of the victim or of the owner, resident, lessee or occupant where the offense is committed against property.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeMandates police reporting of bias-motivated civil rights offenses, enhancing accountability and oversight in law enforcement per criminal justice reform indicators.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Civil Rights Policing

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in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 2063: Relates to aggravated neglect of a companion animal

This bill defines "aggravated neglect" of a pet as subjecting it to cruelty (as defined in existing law) while failing to take reasonable steps to locate or care for the animal. It makes aggravated neglect a felony punishable by up to two years in prison, with a mandatory definite sentence (no probation). The law directly affects pet owners who repeatedly fail to provide adequate care or abandon their animals, aligning penalties with specific sentencing guidelines for this offense.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeIncreases mandatory felony sentencing for animal neglect, expanding criminalization without reform elements or rehabilitation focus.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Probation & Parole Sentencing

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in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 5359: Prohibits interference with the provision of medical assistance to incarcerated individuals

Prohibits any police officer, peace officer or employee of a correctional facility from interfering with the provision of medical assistance to an incarcerated individual.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeProhibits interference with medical care for incarcerated individuals, protecting civil rights and improving correctional facility standards within criminal justice reform.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareProhibits interference with medical care for incarcerated individuals, protecting patient access to healthcare services.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Policing

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in committee · New York · Assembly Apr 13, 2026

A 5452: Prohibits imprisonment for sleeping or camping in public spaces

This bill, known as the SLEEP Act, prohibits jail time, fines, or removal for sleeping or camping in publicly accessible spaces like sidewalks, parks, streets, and doorways. It specifically excludes cases where individuals block access to public areas or pose an immediate safety threat. The law amends civil rights protections to prevent local governments from creating rules that contradict this prohibition. It directly affects unhoused individuals and local law enforcement practices regarding public space use.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeProhibits criminal penalties for sleeping/camping in public spaces, reducing criminalization of homelessness and aligning with civil rights protections in criminal justice reform.95% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingAddresses homelessness by prohibiting imprisonment for public sleeping/camping, aligning with housing topic indicators of protecting unhoused individuals.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Civil Rights Homelessness

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in committee · New York · Assembly May 28, 2026

A 4879: 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 JusticeMandates improved health/safety standards for incarcerated birthing parents, advancing correctional reform and human rights within criminal justice system.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareRequires correctional facilities to establish healthcare rules for incarcerated birthing parents, protecting rights and improving care access within prisons.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Probation & Parole

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in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 4325: Requires the department of corrections and community supervision to establish discharge plans and reentry services for wrongfully convicted individuals upon their discharge

Requires the department of corrections and community supervision to establish discharge plans and reentry services for wrongfully convicted individuals upon their discharge which includes housing needs, educational needs, employment needs, medical needs, and specific social service needs.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill mandates reentry services for wrongfully convicted individuals, directly supporting rehabilitation and reducing recidivism through housing, employment, and medical needs assistance.95% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill mandates housing needs as part of reentry services for wrongfully convicted individuals, directly addressing housing stability through required discharge plans.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Probation & Parole

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in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 4583: Relates to providing a re-entry employment incentive tax credit

Relates to providing a re-entry employment incentive tax credit for taxpayers who hire individuals convicted of a felony in the last five years and who have been released from a correctional facility or are serving a period of post-release supervision in the last five years.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesProvides tax credit for businesses hiring formerly incarcerated individuals, reducing taxable income and aligning with tax relief initiatives to support employment programs.95% confidence ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeTax credit incentivizes hiring formerly incarcerated individuals, reducing recidivism through employment-based re-entry support.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentIncentivizes hiring formerly incarcerated individuals, expanding employment opportunities for a vulnerable workforce group.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Tax Credits

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in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 5289: Relates to requiring the release of body camera recordings in instances where an officer uses force within thirty days of such incident

Requires the release of body camera recordings in instances where an officer fires a gun and hits someone or could have caused injury, uses a stun gun, or makes use of any other force that causes harm within thirty days of such incident.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeRequires timely release of body camera footage after officer use of force, enhancing police accountability in criminal justice reform.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Firearms Policing

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