Criminal Justice (Policing)

in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 5018: Requires that all police officers and peace officers involved in the execution of a search warrant wear body cameras

Requires that each police officer and peace officer involved in the execution of a search warrant wear a functioning and unobstructed body camera that shall be active prior to and throughout the execution of the search and during any related action following the execution of the search warrant.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeMandates body cameras during search warrants to enhance police accountability, directly aligning with criminal justice reform indicators.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Policing

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in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 4735: Enacts "Cariol's Law"

Enacts "Cariol's Law"; provides for a duty to intervene when a police officer or peace officer observes another police officer or peace officer using physical force that such officer reasonably believes to be clearly excessive or beyond that which is objectively reasonable under the circumstances.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeRequires officers to intervene when excessive force is observed, enhancing police accountability per criminal justice reform indicators.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Policing

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in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 8173: Enacts the "safekeeping and access to video evidence (SAVE) act"

This bill, known as the "Safekeeping and Access to Video Evidence (SAVE) Act," requires local governments to retain video recordings from public security cameras. It mandates that recordings from cameras in public spaces, or those used by police, fire, ambulance, or healthcare services during public interactions, be kept for a minimum of fifteen months. If a local government faces a legal claim, the relevant recordings must be held until the litigation concludes or fifteen months, whichever is longer. These recordings must be stored securely and made accessible to officials who respond to information requests.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeMandates retention of public security/police video evidence for accountability, aligning with enhanced police oversight and transparency in criminal justice reform.92% confidence

Sub-Topics Policing

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in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 6345: Establishes the commission on public safety, emergency preparedness, and mental health

This bill creates a new commission within the executive department to coordinate public safety, emergency preparedness, and mental health efforts across state agencies. The commission, made up of agency heads (including the superintendent of state police and mental health commissioner), will work with divisions focused on school safety, emergency planning, and mental health to provide schools and communities with resources, training, and support - especially to reduce mental health stigma. It requires the commission to hold public hearings twice yearly, maintain a website for public comments, and submit annual reports to the governor and legislature. The bill directly affects state agencies, schools, and communities by establishing structured collaboration for safety and mental health initiatives.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill creates commission to coordinate mental health resources and reduce stigma, aligning with criminal justice reform goals of addressing root causes and improving community safety.85% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill creates commission to coordinate mental health efforts, reduce stigma, and provide resources - directly advancing mental health services per support indicators.92% confidence

Sub-Topics Policing Mental Health

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passed · New York · Senate Feb 3, 2026

S 518: Requires the inclusion of cultural competency training in the basic training and pre-employment course curricula for police, firefighters, correction officers and first responders

Requires the inclusion of cultural competency training in the basic training and pre-employment course curricula for state police officers and municipal police officers and sheriffs, members of fire departments and companies, corrections officers, first responders, emergency medical technicians and advanced emergency medical technicians.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeRequires diversity training for law enforcement, promoting accountability and reducing bias - key criminal justice reform measures.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Policing

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in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 1463: Abolishes citizens arrests; repealer

This bill eliminates New York State's legal allowance for ordinary citizens to make arrests without police involvement. It specifically repeals sections of the criminal procedure law and penal law that previously permitted private individuals to use physical force (including deadly force in limited cases) to arrest people suspected of committing certain felonies like robbery or murder. The change directly affects citizens who might have attempted to detain someone for a crime, removing their legal authority to do so. It does not impact police arrest powers but restricts this practice to law enforcement only. The bill takes immediate effect upon enactment.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeRepeals citizen arrest provisions, reducing potential misuse of force and enhancing accountability in criminal procedure90% confidence

Sub-Topics Policing Violent Crime

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passed · New York · Senate Apr 27, 2026

S 4470: Establishes "DJ's law" requiring training for police officers on discharging a firearm at a moving vehicle

Enacts "DJ's law" which requires training for police officers on discharging a firearm at a moving vehicle; requires the municipal police training council to develop and disseminate written policies and procedures regarding such force.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeMandates police training and written policies on firearm use at moving vehicles, enhancing officer accountability and reducing force misuse per criminal justice reform indicators.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Firearms Law Enforcement Policing

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in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 5617: Relates to amending the New York City Charter in relation to expanding the investigative scope of the Civilian Complaint Review Board

This bill expands the Civilian Complaint Review Board's (CCRB) authority to investigate complaints against NYPD officers alleging bias-based profiling. It specifically adds to the CCRB's jurisdiction complaints involving bias based on race, ethnicity, religion, gender, sexual orientation, disability, or other protected characteristics - such as when officers target individuals based on these factors rather than behavior. The bill also requires the CCRB to investigate the truthfulness of official police statements made during complaint resolutions and mandates that findings cannot rely solely on unsworn complaints or prior unsubstantiated claims. This directly affects NYPD officers, the public filing complaints, and the CCRB's investigative process.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeExpands CCRB authority to investigate bias-based policing complaints, enhancing police accountability and aligning with criminal justice reform goals.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Policing

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failed · New York · Assembly Apr 21, 2026

A 4856: Elevates killing a police work dog or police work horse from being a class E felony to a class D felony

Elevates the offense of killing a police work dog or police work horse from being a class E felony to a class D felony; establishes the class E felony of injuring a police work dog or police work horse for intentionally causing serious physical injury to a police work dog or police work horse while such dog or horse is performing its duties under the supervision of a police officer.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill elevates penalties for harming police work animals, strengthening law enforcement protections within criminal justice system.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Policing

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in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 7139: Relates to requiring state and local law enforcement officers to identify themselves to the public

This bill requires New York state and local law enforcement officers to identify themselves during specific public interactions, directly affecting officers and community members during encounters. Officers must state their full name, rank, command, and the reason for the interaction during activities like traffic stops, pedestrian stops, or searches, and provide a contact business card after non-arrest encounters. Exceptions apply if officers are not in uniform or identification would threaten public safety or ongoing investigations. The law aims to increase transparency and build trust by creating a written record of non-arrest interactions.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeRequires officers to identify during public interactions, enhancing accountability and transparency in law enforcement encounters per criminal justice reform indicators.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Policing

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