Criminal Justice

in committee · New York · Senate Mar 25, 2026

S 9569: Relates to companion animals

Provides that companion animals, as sentient beings, shall be considered victims of animal cruelty crimes, including but not limited to all offenses as defined in article twenty-six of the agriculture and markets law, and shall be treated as such in a court of law.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill strengthens animal cruelty laws by recognizing companion animals as victims, enhancing legal protections and enforcement accountability in criminal justice system.75% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts Victims' Rights

Track

in committee · New York · Assembly Apr 14, 2026

A 10621: Establishes the crime of interference with emergency first responders; safety buffer zone

Establishes the crime of interference with emergency first responders; creates a fifteen foot buffer zone around emergency first responders engaged in the performance of their official duties.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill strengthens criminal justice by creating new protections for first responders and establishing buffer zones to ensure public safety during emergency response operations.85% confidence

Track

passed · New York · Senate May 29, 2026

S 9616: Relates to removing the ten year time period from the crime of persistent sexual abuse

This bill proposes to remove the ten-year time limit for prosecuting the crime of persistent sexual abuse in New York State. Currently, individuals can only be charged with this offense if they commit multiple qualifying sexual crimes within a ten-year period, but this legislation would eliminate that restriction. The change would allow prosecutors to pursue charges against repeat offenders regardless of how much time has passed since their previous convictions, provided the new offenses are separate criminal incidents. The bill directly affects the state's penal law and would impact how sexual abuse cases are investigated and prosecuted. If passed, it would take effect on November 1st of the following year.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill removes statute of limitations for persistent sexual abuse, strengthening accountability and protecting victims by allowing prosecution regardless of time elapsed.90% confidence

Track

in committee · New York · Assembly Mar 6, 2026

A 10452: Establishes the persistent domestic violence offender registry

Establishes the persistent domestic violence offender registry to provide information on the persistent domestic violence offender, including but not limited to, the name, date of birth, conviction date, county or counties of convictions, and a current photograph of any person who was convicted of an offense against a victim of domestic violence and has at least one prior conviction for a family offense committed against a member of the same family as defined in subdivision one of section 530.11 of the criminal procedure law; makes related provisions.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill creates a registry for persistent domestic violence offenders, enhancing public safety and accountability within the criminal justice system by tracking repeat offenders.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Domestic Violence

Track

in committee · New York · Senate Mar 26, 2026

S 9583: Enhances criminal penalties for criminal mischief and larceny offenses committed at a place of religious worship

This bill strengthens penalties for property crimes committed at places of religious worship and cemeteries. It directly affects individuals who damage or steal property at churches, mosques, synagogues, and other religious sites, as well as those who desecrate burial grounds. The legislation creates new felony charges for damaging or stealing religious property regardless of its monetary value, while also raising the monetary thresholds for cemetery desecration offenses from misdemeanors to felonies in more serious cases. Additionally, the bill increases the sentencing severity for repeat offenders who commit cemetery desecration within a five-year period. These changes aim to provide stronger legal consequences for crimes targeting sacred spaces and burial sites.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill strengthens penalties for crimes at religious sites, enhancing criminal justice enforcement and protecting sacred spaces from property crimes.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Sentencing

Track

in committee · New York · Senate Mar 6, 2026

S 9386: Requires audits by the comptroller in the event of arrest or conviction of contractors

This bill requires the state comptroller to conduct audits of public works projects when contractors are convicted of specific crimes related to theft, fraud, wage theft, or labor violations. It directly affects contractors, subcontractors, and affiliated companies working on state-funded projects. The law mandates that audits cover all existing public works projects started by the contractor that received state funds after a conviction or legal determination. The bill defines contractors broadly to include subcontractors and affiliated entities to ensure comprehensive oversight.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill promotes fiscal responsibility by requiring audits of public works projects when contractors commit fraud or theft, protecting taxpayer funds and ensuring proper use of state appropriations.75% confidence ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill strengthens accountability by requiring audits when contractors are convicted of crimes, promoting justice and preventing fraud in public works.75% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentBill mandates audits for contractors convicted of wage theft and labor violations, directly protecting workers' rights and enforcing labor standards on public works projects.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Audits & Accountability Procurement Labor Standards

Track

in committee · New York · Assembly May 28, 2026

A 10386: Limits the suspension or revocation of an individual's driver's license when participating in a treatment court program

Limits the suspension or revocation of an individual's driver's license when an individual takes a certain plea involving participation in certain treatment court programs or the court allowed the individual to withdraw their previously entered plea of guilty, and plead guilty to a lesser charge or the department revoked or suspended the individual's driver's license upon a plea of guilty and at least six months have elapsed since such initial plea.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill limits driver's license suspensions for individuals in treatment court programs, supporting rehabilitation and reducing barriers to reentry, which aligns with criminal justice reform goals.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts

Track

in committee · New York · Senate Mar 31, 2026

S 9636: Relates to revoking a license to carry, possess, repair and dispose of firearms for a conviction for failure to safely store rifles, shotguns, and firearms

Relates to revoking a license to carry, possess, repair and dispose of firearms for a conviction for failure to safely store rifles, shotguns, and firearms.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill strengthens public safety by penalizing unsafe firearm storage, reducing accidental shootings and supporting criminal justice reform goals.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Firearms

Track

in committee · New York · Senate Jun 5, 2026

S 7482: Designates an individual who has been convicted of certain crimes or of certain offenses involving sports contests, horse races or wagering thereon, as a prohibited sports bettor

Designates an individual found to have been convicted of certain crimes where the complainant or victim is an amateur or professional athlete, coach, official or other participant in a sports event, or a jockey, driver, trainer, owner, official or other participant in a horse race, or to have been convicted of certain offenses involving sports contests, horse races, or wagering thereon, as a prohibited sports bettor; requires the commission to notify the individual; allows for the individual to contest such designation; requires account wagering licensees to prohibit any individual designated as a prohibited sports bettor from establishing or maintaining a wagering account.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill restricts individuals convicted of sports-related crimes from betting, protecting victims and promoting accountability within criminal justice system.75% confidence

Track

in committee · New York · Assembly Mar 6, 2026

A 10434: Establishes the "public civil rights accountability act"

Establishes the "public civil rights accountability act" in relation to requiring civil rights compliance certification and training for public employees.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill establishes civil rights accountability and training for public employees, enhancing police accountability and protecting civil rights, which aligns with criminal justice reform goals.75% confidence

Sub-Topics Civil Rights

Track