Criminal Justice (Policing)

signed · New York · Senate Sep 26, 2025

S 4767: Relates to training police officers on how to respond to situations involving individuals with autism spectrum disorder and other developmental disabilities

Relates to training police officers on how to respond to situations involving individuals with autism spectrum disorder and other developmental disabilities.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeMandates police training for autism/developmental disability interactions, reducing potential harm and aligning with criminal justice reform goals of improved officer conduct and civil rights protection.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Policing

in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 4917: Relates to prohibiting the use of chemical agents by police officers against minors

This bill prohibits New York police officers from using chemical agents, such as pepper spray or tear gas, against minors under the age of 18 in any circumstance. It requires all police departments to update their use-of-force policies to explicitly ban such chemical agents when interacting with minors. The law takes effect immediately and directly affects police officers and departments across New York, as well as minors under 18 who may encounter law enforcement. This change modifies existing policy requirements without altering other aspects of police conduct.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBans police use of chemical agents against minors, protecting vulnerable populations and enhancing officer accountability under criminal justice protocols.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Policing

Track

in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 2664: Relates to emergency intervention for persons impaired by chemical substances

This bill amends New York's mental hygiene law to establish clear protocols for emergency intervention when someone is impaired by alcohol or substances and poses a risk of harm to themselves or others. It defines key terms like "incapacitated" and sets strict requirements: police or authorized personnel may transport such individuals to designated treatment facilities, where they must receive a medical evaluation within 12 hours and can be held for no more than 72 hours without consent. The law mandates safety measures during transport, requires discharge planning, and ensures individuals are released immediately if they no longer meet the impairment criteria. It directly affects people experiencing acute substance impairment, emergency responders, and certified treatment facilities.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill diverts substance-impaired individuals to treatment facilities instead of criminal processing, aligning with reform goals by prioritizing medical evaluation over incarceration and reducing potential criminal justice system involvement.92% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareEstablishes mandatory medical evaluations within 12 hours for substance-impaired individuals, creating structured access to treatment facilities and strengthening emergency mental health intervention protocols.92% confidence

Sub-Topics Policing Substance Abuse

Track

passed · New York · Senate May 6, 2026

S 4763: Ensures that parents and guardians of youth are notified when their child is arrested

Relates to the issuance of arrest warrants upon a youth who is still in high school; provides for the police officer to make a reasonable effort to notify the parent or other person legally responsible for the care of such youth or with whom the youth is domiciled that the youth has been arrested; provides that the police officer need not notify the parent or other person legally responsible when such youth is not also a juvenile offender and the notification would endanger the health and safety of such youth; amends provisions relating to sexually exploited children to include persons under the age of nineteen.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeRequires police to notify parents/guardians of arrested youth (up to 19), enhancing family involvement and protecting minors' rights within the justice system.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Juvenile Justice Policing

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in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 4157: Requires police officer training programs on interacting with individuals with a disability

Requires police officer training programs on interacting with individuals with a disability with special emphasis on the techniques needed to improve interactions with individuals that are blind or deaf or hard of hearing; provides such training shall be created in consultation with the justice center for the protection of people with special needs.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeMandates police training on disability interactions to improve officer conduct and protect civil rights, aligning with criminal justice reform goals.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Law Enforcement Policing

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passed · New York · Senate Apr 29, 2026

S 1982: Relates to the completion of training requirements for sheriffs and undersheriffs

Relates to the completion of training requirements for sheriffs and undersheriffs; directs the municipal police training council to promulgate rules and regulations relating to qualification for municipal police forces for persons who were previously sworn members of the state police and to provide certificates to such persons who meet such qualifications.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill mandates training standards for sheriffs/undersheriffs, strengthening law enforcement qualifications within criminal justice framework.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Law Enforcement Policing

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in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 7018: Relates to evidence of sex trafficking

This bill (A 7018) allows police officers' written or oral statements to be used as evidence in sex trafficking cases. It specifically amends the criminal procedure law to permit such statements as evidence during grand jury proceedings for offenses defined under New York's sex trafficking laws (Penal Law §§ 230.34 or 230.34-a). The change directly affects sex trafficking prosecutions by expanding the types of evidence courts can consider, without altering the legal standard for convictions.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill expands admissible evidence for sex trafficking prosecutions, strengthening law enforcement's ability to prosecute serious crimes without altering conviction standards.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Human Trafficking Policing

Track

in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 4258: Creates the crime of harassment of a first responder

This bill creates a new class A misdemeanor offense for harassing first responders (including police, firefighters, and EMTs) during lawful duty. It prohibits approaching within 25 feet after being verbally warned, when the intent is to interfere with their work, threaten them, or cause substantial emotional distress through repeated unwanted conduct. The law specifically applies to both paid and volunteer first responders while they are performing official duties. Violating this law would be punishable as a class A misdemeanor under New York State law.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill creates new misdemeanor to protect first responders from harassment during duty, strengthening law enforcement safety and operations within criminal justice framework.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Policing

Track

in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 5729: Requires colleges to report campus crimes to local police and division of criminal justice services, which is to report thereon annually

Requires colleges to report crimes occurring on their campuses or other property to local police; requires such information also be reported monthly to the division of criminal justice services for compilation in an annual report thereon, which report is to include findings and recommendations; conditions receipt of state aid to colleges upon submission of such reports.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeMandates campus crime reporting to criminal justice division for annual data compilation, enhancing transparency and informing policy reforms.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Policing

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passed · New York · Senate May 11, 2026

S 4389: Ensures that color vision requirements for appointment of police officers are tailored to only eliminate individuals with extreme color vision deficiencies from eligibility

Ensures that color vision requirements for appointment of police officers are tailored to only eliminate individuals with extreme color vision deficiencies from eligibility; provides methods under which an individual can meet such requirements after failing to meet an initial color vision standard.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeTailors police hiring color vision requirements to reduce unnecessary barriers, aligning with civil rights protections in law enforcement recruitment.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Policing

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