Criminal Justice (Policing)

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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in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 5449: Relates to increasing the penalties for assault on police officers, peace officers, firefighters and emergency medical technicians

Increases the penalties for assault on police officers, peace officers, firefighters and emergency medical technicians causing physical injury or serious physical injury.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeIncreases penalties for assaulting first responders, expanding criminalization and harsher sentencing per bill language.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Policing Violent Crime

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in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 6728: Relates to the confidentiality of personnel records of police officers, firefighters, correction officers and probation officers

This bill makes personnel records for police officers, firefighters, correction officers, and probation officers confidential. It prohibits public inspection or disclosure without the officer's written consent, except under strict court orders. Courts may only grant access after a hearing where all parties can be heard, and judges must verify the request has sufficient factual basis before sealing records for review. The law does not apply to prosecutors, attorneys general, or agencies like grand juries that legally require such records for official duties.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeBill restricts public access to law enforcement personnel records, weakening transparency and oversight mechanisms in criminal justice.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts Policing Probation & Parole

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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

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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

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