Criminal Justice

in committee · New York · Senate Jun 5, 2026

S 9467: Establishes procedures to be followed when the body scan of an incarcerated individual, employee or visitor to a correctional facility displays alleged abnormalities

Establishes procedures to be followed when the body scan of an incarcerated individual, employee or visitor to a correctional facility displays alleged abnormalities; requires staff discipline for staff who have wrongfully denied visitation to a visitor or entry to an employee based on a body scan; requires the collection and reporting of certain information relating to visitation and entry denials based on body scans; requires such law to be posted in visitor processing areas of correctional facilities.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill establishes procedures for body scans and requires staff discipline for wrongful denials, protecting civil rights and enhancing accountability in correctional facilities.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections

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passed · New York · Senate May 18, 2026

S 9632: Limits the admissibility of evidence of a defendant's creative or artistic expression against such defendant in a criminal proceeding

Establishes an assumption of the inadmissibility of evidence of a defendant's creative or artistic expression against such defendant in a criminal proceeding; requires the proffering party to affirmatively prove that the evidence is admissible by clear and convincing evidence.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill protects defendant rights by limiting admissibility of creative expression evidence, reducing potential bias and strengthening civil liberties in criminal proceedings.90% confidence

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in committee · New York · Assembly May 12, 2026

A 10559: Establishes a property tax exemption for police officers who serve in the state of New York

This bill creates a property tax exemption for police officers living in New York State. It allows local governments to exempt up to 15% of a qualified officer's residential property value from taxes, with a maximum benefit of $12,000 or a calculated amount based on state equalization rates. The exemption applies to property used exclusively for residential purposes and excludes school taxes. Police officers must apply annually using a state-prescribed form, and local governments can repeal the exemption with at least 90 days notice.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill provides property tax relief for police officers, reducing their tax burden and supporting essential public service workers through fiscal incentives.85% confidence ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill provides financial incentives to police officers through tax exemptions, potentially improving recruitment and retention in law enforcement.75% confidence

Sub-Topics Property Tax Tax Incentives Policing

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in committee · New York · Senate Mar 5, 2026

S 9359: Relates to establishing the crime of obstruction of governmental duties at the scene of a crime

Relates to establishing the crime of obstruction of governmental duties at the scene of a crime wherein a person acts under the color of law to prevent a police officer from accessing the scene of a crime or any evidence at the scene of a crime.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill strengthens law enforcement by criminalizing obstruction of duties at crime scenes, protecting officers and evidence access.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Policing

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in committee · New York · Assembly Mar 19, 2026

A 10646: Provides voice communication service to incarcerated people at no cost; repealer

This bill requires state correctional facilities to provide incarcerated individuals with free voice communication services, including calls made to and from their families or legal representatives. The legislation mandates that these services cannot be replaced by in-person visit programs and prohibits facilities from generating revenue from communication services. It also ensures that existing contracts for communication services must end by March 31, 2026, while new contracts are subject to the free service requirement starting April 1, 2026.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill provides free communication services to incarcerated people, protecting civil rights and supporting rehabilitation by maintaining family/legal connections.85% confidence

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in committee · New York · Assembly Mar 20, 2026

A 10676: Provides that failure to provide shelter to animals is an act of cruelty to animals

This bill amends New York's animal cruelty laws to explicitly classify failure to provide shelter to animals as an act of cruelty. It directly affects pet owners, livestock keepers, and anyone responsible for animal care by requiring them to ensure animals have adequate shelter. The law maintains existing protections against abuse while clarifying that neglect of basic needs like shelter constitutes a class A misdemeanor. Scientific research using animals in approved laboratories remains exempt from these requirements, with oversight provided by the state health commissioner. The changes take effect immediately upon passage.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill strengthens animal cruelty laws by criminalizing neglect, enhancing legal protections and enforcement against animal abuse.85% confidence

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signed · New York · Assembly Jun 5, 2026

A 10542: Relates to sexual offense evidence collection kit procedures

Requires that all sexual offense evidence shall be kept in a locked, separate and secure area for twenty years from the date of collection or until the victim's fortieth birthday, whichever is later; makes other sexual offense evidence collection kit procedures.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill strengthens evidence preservation for sexual offenses, protecting victim rights and improving forensic integrity in criminal justice proceedings.85% confidence

in committee · New York · Senate Mar 10, 2026

S 9413: Relates to providing body-worn cameras to certain individuals visiting correctional facilities

Requires the department of corrections and community supervision to provide body-worn cameras to certain individuals visiting correctional facilities and provide those individuals with the footage from such cameras.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill enhances accountability in correctional facilities by providing body-worn cameras to visitors, which protects civil rights and improves transparency in the justice system.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Policing Probation & Parole

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in committee · New York · Assembly Mar 6, 2026

A 10439: Relates to offenses involving thefts of identity; repealer

Relates to offenses involving theft of identity; creates five tiers of crimes, based on the financial loss to the victim(s) and the number of people victimized.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill creates structured tiers for identity theft offenses based on loss and victims, strengthening criminal justice response to financial crimes.85% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyBill strengthens cybersecurity and data privacy by creating specific crime tiers for identity theft, enhancing protections for victims of digital crimes.85% confidence

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in committee · New York · Assembly Mar 6, 2026

A 10473: Raises the monetary value of damaged property that is considered criminal mischief or securities fraud

This bill increases the monetary threshold for criminal mischief and securities fraud charges from $2,500 to $1,000. It directly affects individuals who intentionally damage property or engage in fraudulent securities transactions by raising the amount of property value required for these offenses to be classified as felonies. The changes apply to both new offenses and pending cases, making it easier for prosecutors to pursue felony charges in cases involving higher-value property damage or fraud.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill lowers monetary threshold for criminal mischief and securities fraud, making it easier to prosecute property damage and fraud as felonies, strengthening criminal justice enforcement.85% confidence

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