Criminal Justice

in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 2448: Relates to the use of risk and needs principles in parole decisions

Requires the use of risk and needs assessments in parole decisions; provides a process permitting incarcerated individuals to correct verifiable factual mistakes or errors in their risk and needs assessments or other non-confidential documents given the board prior to their appearances.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeRequires risk/needs assessments in parole decisions with error correction, promoting fairer outcomes and reducing wrongful denials in corrections, aligning with reform indicators.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Probation & Parole

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in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 3166: Relates to forensic DNA testing and to requests for certain DNA test comparisons

Establishes the minimum period of time that forensic samples should be retained by investigating authorities; creates the state commission for the integrity of the criminal justice system, as an independent agency, and provides for such commission's powers and duties; relates to special fictitious name indictments; relates to requests for certain DNA test comparisons; relates to forensic DNA testing; relates to claims for unjust conviction and imprisonment; relates to DNA testing, data collection and record keeping; relates to DNA testing in felony cases.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeCreates independent commission for criminal justice integrity and addresses DNA testing for unjust conviction claims, promoting oversight and reform.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Victims' Rights

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in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 6297: Provides for automatic issuance of identification cards to incarcerated individuals and assistance with obtaining copies of certain documents

Provides for automatic issuance of identification cards to incarcerated individuals and assistance with obtaining copies of any documents needed to apply for identification cards, including, but not limited to, an incarcerated individual's social security card and birth certificate.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeProvides ID and document assistance for incarcerated individuals, reducing reentry barriers and supporting rehabilitation/reintegration efforts.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections

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in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 456: Relates to expanding the definition of a sex offense

This bill expands the legal definition of a sex offense to include "sexually motivated felonies" under state correction law. It directly affects offenders convicted of certain crimes against minors (under age 17) or specific sexual offenses listed in the penal law, such as some kidnapping or prostitution-related charges involving minors. The key provision adds this new category to the existing list of offenses classified as sex offenses for sentencing and correctional purposes. This change would alter how these cases are categorized within the criminal justice system, impacting sentencing guidelines and correctional programming.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeExpands definition of sex offenses to include 'sexually motivated felonies,' increasing sentencing severity for crimes against minors, aligning with expanded criminalization indicators.92% confidence

Sub-Topics Human Trafficking Sentencing

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in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 535: Removes the deadly weapon or dangerous instrument requirement from aggravated assault upon a police officer or peace officer

This bill removes the requirement that a deadly weapon or dangerous instrument must be used for an assault on a police or peace officer to be classified as "aggravated." It directly affects police officers and peace officers by changing the legal definition of aggravated assault against them. Under the revised law, intentionally causing serious injury to an officer while they are performing duties - without needing to prove a weapon was used - becomes a class B felony. The change simplifies the legal threshold for this offense.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeRemoves weapon requirement for aggravated assault on officers, making it easier to charge as class B felony - increases penalties for assaults on law enforcement.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Policing Violent Crime

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in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 7460: Relates to securing orders for certain firearms offenses

This New York state bill (A 7460) requires courts to hold defendants in custody (remand to sheriff custody) before trial for specific felony firearm offenses. It directly affects individuals charged with crimes like third-degree criminal possession of a firearm or weapon, or selling firearms to minors. The key change is mandating pretrial jail detention for these offenses, rather than allowing release on bail. The bill amends three sections of New York's criminal procedure law to specify these offenses trigger this requirement. It does not change the penalties for the crimes themselves, only the court procedure for handling defendants charged with them.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeMandates pretrial detention for firearm offenses, restricting defendant rights by eliminating bail options for specific charges like third-degree criminal possession.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Courts Firearms

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in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 5455: Creates the criminal justice infrastructure investment grant program; appropriation

Creates the criminal justice infrastructure investment grant program which provides grants to municipalities, courts, sheriffs' offices and district attorneys' offices to provide software and hardware to assist with discovery, speedy trial and bail processes.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeFunds infrastructure for discovery, speedy trials, and bail processes - directly advancing efficiency and fairness in criminal justice systems.95% confidence

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in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 575: Provides for rules and regulations for strip searches in correctional facilities

Directs the state commission of correction to promulgate rules and regulations for strip searches in correctional facilities which at a minimum include a requirement that no fewer than two staff members shall be present for any strip search.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeMandates two staff for strip searches, enhancing oversight and protecting inmate rights in corrections, aligning with civil rights protections in criminal justice reform.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections

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in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 5792: Relates to permitting a qualified incarcerated individual eligible for early release to receive a conditional release

Relates to permitting an incarcerated individual who has had a final order of deportation issued against such incarcerated individual, has not been convicted of an A-1 felony and who is eligible for early release to receive a conditional release.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeEnables conditional release for eligible incarcerated individuals with deportation orders, promoting rehabilitation and reducing unnecessary incarceration per criminal justice reform principles.95% confidence ✓ ImmigrationSupports ImmigrationBill allows conditional release for incarcerated individuals with final deportation orders, advancing their immediate situation within the state's legal system.80% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Probation & Parole Detention Enforcement

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in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 1860: Precludes inadmissible statements made by defendants because of false information and requires data collection of recorded interrogations

Precludes inadmissible statements made by defendants because of false facts about evidence or because of a statement that undermines the reliability of the defendant's statement; requires data collection and analysis by the division of criminal justice services of recorded interrogations.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill protects defendant rights by excluding unreliable statements and mandates interrogation data collection for accountability, aligning with criminal justice reform indicators.95% confidence

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