Criminal Justice

in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 3024: Relates to the state board of parole membership, interviews with incarcerated individuals, and determination of parole

Allows for the removal of members of the state board of parole by a majority vote in the senate and the assembly; requires three or more members of such board personally interview potential parolees; requires that the determination to parole an incarcerated individual be unanimous.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeRequires unanimous parole decisions and mandatory interviews, increasing barriers to release and restricting parole access.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Probation & Parole

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in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 6167: Prohibits a grand jury from inquiring into an offense or misconduct involving a shooting or use of excessive force by a peace officer that led to the death of a person being detained or arrested

Prohibits a grand jury from inquiring into an offense or misconduct involving involves a shooting or use of excessive force by a police officer and/or peace officer that led or leads to the death or personal injury of a civilian.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeBill prohibits grand jury investigations into officer shootings/excessive force, directly weakening law enforcement accountability mechanisms per criminal justice reform indicators.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Policing

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in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 974: Establishes the class B felony of criminal sale of a controlled substance upon the grounds of a drug or alcohol treatment center

This bill creates a new class B felony offense for selling controlled substances on the property of or within 1,000 feet of a drug or alcohol treatment center or methadone clinic. It directly affects individuals who sell drugs in these specific locations, including buildings, parking lots, and public areas like sidewalks or streets within the defined zone. The law establishes that selling drugs in violation of certain existing drug laws within these areas automatically qualifies as this serious felony, with a rebuttable presumption of knowledge if facility signs are posted. This changes penalties for drug sales near treatment facilities, making them punishable as a class B felony instead of a lower-level offense.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeCreates stricter felony penalties for drug sales near treatment centers, expanding criminalization rather than promoting reform or rehabilitation.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Drug Policy

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in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 7509: Creates a temporary state commission to study and investigate issues affecting reentry of incarcerated individuals released from correctional facilities; appropriation

Creates a temporary state commission to study and investigate issues affecting reentry of incarcerated individuals released from correctional facilities; appropriates $250,000 therefor.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill appropriates $250,000 for a commission study, directly funding a government program under fiscal management and state budget allocation.95% confidence ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeCreates commission to study reentry barriers for formerly incarcerated individuals with $250k funding, directly advancing criminal justice reform goals to reduce recidivism and improve rehabilitation pathways.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Probation & Parole

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in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 6651: Relates to the evidentiary standard for evidentiary and disciplinary hearings

This bill changes the standard of proof required in correctional disciplinary hearings from "substantial evidence" to "preponderance of the evidence." It directly affects disciplinary decisions involving prison staff or inmates under New York's correction law, such as those related to misconduct or sanctions. The key provision lowers the evidentiary threshold, meaning decisions only need to be supported by evidence showing it is more likely than not (over 50%) true, rather than meeting the higher "substantial evidence" standard previously required. The change applies to all disciplinary hearings held under the correction law, as specified in the bill's amendments to relevant legal sections.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeLowers evidentiary standard in prison disciplinary hearings from 'substantial evidence' to 'preponderance,' reducing inmate due process protections.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections

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in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 564: Relates to special restrictions on campaign contributions for district attorney candidates

Relates to special restrictions on campaign contributions for district attorney candidates; requires such candidates to disclose to the board of elections the acceptance of campaign contributions from any law firm that represents defendants in criminal proceedings in any court in the state or from any licensed attorney employed by such law firm.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeRequires disclosure of defense-related campaign contributions to prevent DA conflicts of interest, enhancing accountability in criminal justice.80% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts

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in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 5722: Relates to expanding the definition of a sex offense

This bill (A 5722) expands New York's definition of a "sex offense" in correction law to include "sexually motivated felonies." It directly affects individuals convicted of specific felonies involving minors under 17, such as certain kidnapping, prostitution, or sex-related offenses where the victim is under 17 and the offender is not the parent. The key mechanism adds these offenses to the list already classified as sex offenses under correction law, requiring specific sentencing and classification under the correction system. This change applies to cases involving the penal law sections listed in the bill, including those related to patronizing minors under 17 for sex.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeExpands criminalization by adding more felonies to sex offense classification, leading to harsher sentencing and increased penalties for specific crimes involving minors.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Sentencing

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in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 6324: Relates to the court's consideration of the existence of extraordinary circumstances and significant physical injury in determining whether to remove adolescent offenders to family court

Relates to the court's consideration of the existence of extraordinary circumstances and significant physical injury in determining whether to remove adolescent offenders to family court; defines such terms; provides factors for the court's consideration of whether extraordinary circumstances exist.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill mandates courts to consider extraordinary circumstances and physical injury before transferring adolescent offenders to family court, promoting juvenile justice reform by reducing unnecessary adult court involvement.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts Juvenile Justice

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in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 7865: Relates to expanding criminal mischief in the third degree to include damaging property of another as an expression of political ideology

Provides that a person is guilty of criminal mischief in the third degree when such person intentionally damages property of another person to promote or suppress a political ideology, or otherwise as an expression of political ideology.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeBill expands criminal mischief to include political ideology-motivated property damage, increasing criminalization and opposing reform efforts focused on reducing over-punishment.90% confidence

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in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 2209: Relates to removing the local share requirements associated with increasing the age of juvenile jurisdiction

This bill removes the requirement for New York counties and New York City to pay a local share of costs when increasing juvenile jurisdiction age above 15 years. It eliminates the obligation for local governments to fund eligible expenses that would not have existed without the 2017 law changing juvenile jurisdiction. Counties and NYC will no longer need to contribute local funds for these specific juvenile justice costs, though a hardship waiver process remains for exceptional financial situations. The change directly affects local governments responsible for juvenile justice funding under the 2017 law. The policy simplifies funding by shifting the cost entirely to the state.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesEliminates local cost-sharing for juvenile jurisdiction, reducing fiscal burden on counties/NYC and promoting fiscal responsibility.90% confidence ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeRemoves financial barrier for counties to implement juvenile jurisdiction reform under 2017 law, aligning with criminal justice reform goals by eliminating local cost obligations.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Juvenile Justice

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