Criminal Justice

in committee · New York · Senate Mar 17, 2026

S 395: Requires a reading proficiency level assessment and dyslexia screening for certain incarcerated individuals

Requires all incarcerated individuals who do not have a high-school diploma or its equivalent to receive a reading proficiency level assessment and dyslexia screening upon intake by the department of corrections; requires for such individuals who perform below a certain proficiency level to be provided with intervention services that are evidence-based, effective and consistent with science-based research specifically tailored to addressing dyslexia.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeMandates literacy/dyslexia interventions for incarcerated individuals to improve rehabilitation, directly advancing criminal justice reform through evidence-based correctional programming.92% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections

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in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 3316: Relates to the unlawful wearing of a body vest

This bill makes it a crime to wear body armor while committing any offense involving a deadly weapon (like a firearm). It directly affects individuals who wear body armor during crimes involving weapons, creating a new offense separate from the underlying crime. The key provision requires courts to impose consecutive sentences for this new "unlawful wearing of body armor" offense, meaning the jail time for this specific act runs after the sentence for the original crime. The law applies to both misdemeanors and felonies committed with a deadly weapon while wearing body armor.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeBill mandates consecutive sentences for unlawful body armor use during weapon offenses, increasing penalties and expanding criminalization without reform elements.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Firearms

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passed · New York · Senate Apr 22, 2026

S 1055: Prohibits the division of criminal justice services from disclosing pending adjournment in contemplation of dismissals on civil records of arrests and prosecutions

Prohibits the division of criminal justice services from disclosing pending orders of adjournment in contemplation of dismissal on civil records of arrests and prosecutions.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticePrevents disclosure of dismissed cases on civil records, reducing barriers for individuals with past arrests and aligning with criminal justice reform goals.85% confidence

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failed · New York · Senate Aug 13, 2025

S 1748: Relates to authorizing bail and pre-trial detention for arson felonies

This bill adds arson offenses to categories where courts may deny pretrial release (bail) for defendants. Specifically, it authorizes judges to deny bail for "arson in the fourth degree" (§150.05) or "arson in the third degree" (§150.10) under the same conditions as other serious crimes involving harm to people or property. Prosecutors must show "reasonable cause" the defendant committed the arson, but courts may still release defendants if property damage is deemed negligible and unrelated to other crimes. The bill directly affects individuals charged with these arson offenses during pretrial proceedings.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeDenies pretrial release for specific arson offenses, restricting defendant rights without rehabilitation focus95% confidence

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in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 2578: Relates to the enforcement of a judgment against certain trust and annuities in the case of minor victims of sexual abuse

This bill (S 2578) changes how certain financial assets can be used to pay compensation for minor victims of specific sexual crimes. It removes an exemption that previously protected trusts, annuities, and similar accounts held for a judgment debtor (the person who owes money), making these assets subject to payment in cases where a minor was a victim of rape in the first degree, aggravated sexual abuse, or sexual conduct against a child. The key provision amends New York's Civil Practice Law to require these assets be used to satisfy judgments for physical or psychological injury caused by those offenses. This directly affects minor victims of these crimes and their ability to recover compensation from the perpetrator's assets held in certain financial accounts.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeRemoves asset exemptions to ensure compensation for minor victims of serious sexual crimes, strengthening victim protections within criminal justice.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Victims' Rights

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in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 1447: Relates to the use of facial recognition and biometric information for determining probable cause

Prohibits the use of facial recognition and biometric information as the sole factor in determining the existence of probable cause to place in custody or arrest an individual.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeProhibits facial recognition as sole factor for probable cause, protecting civil rights and preventing misuse in arrests - aligns with reform goals.95% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyProhibits sole use of facial recognition for probable cause, enhancing data privacy protections by restricting biometric surveillance in law enforcement.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Consumer Data Protection Emerging Technology

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failed · New York · Senate May 5, 2026

S 2656: Relates to segregated confinement; repealer

Relates to segregated confinement; provides that certain incarcerated individuals shall not be placed in a residential rehabilitation unit; makes related provisions.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeBill restricts placement in residential rehabilitation units for certain incarcerated individuals, cutting access to reform-focused programs.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections

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in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 7006: Relates to bail for certain offenses involving the sale or possession with intent to sell of a controlled substance or a synthetic opioid

Authorizes the imposition of bail for certain offenses involving the sale or possession with intent to sell of a controlled substance or a synthetic opioid.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeAuthorizes mandatory bail for drug offenses, increasing pretrial detention and restricting defendant rights, opposing reform efforts.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Drug Policy

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in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 7015: Relates to bail eligibility for crimes committed by street gangs or a criminal enterprise

This bill (S 7015) changes bail eligibility for defendants charged with crimes connected to street gangs or criminal enterprises. It adds a new provision requiring prosecutors to show "reasonable cause" that a defendant is associated with a gang (as defined in NYC law) or criminal enterprise (as defined in penal law) and that the offense relates to such activity. If proven, this makes the defendant ineligible for release on their own recognizance or under minimal conditions for any misdemeanor or felony offense. The bill directly affects individuals charged with crimes linked to organized gang activity, not all defendants. It modifies existing bail rules in New York's criminal procedure law to prioritize public safety concerns in these specific cases.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeRestricts bail eligibility for gang-related charges, reducing defendant release options per bill's requirement of 'reasonable cause' for denial of release.95% confidence

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failed · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 1578: Relates to sentencing of person convicted of murdering a minor

Provides that a person convicted of murder in the first or second degree, or aggravated murder, in the death of a minor shall be sentenced to life imprisonment without parole.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeMandates life without parole for murder of minors, increasing mandatory sentences and opposing criminal justice reform efforts.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Juvenile Justice Probation & Parole Sentencing

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