Criminal Justice

in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 1401: Enacts the "police and peace officer licensing act"

This bill establishes a mandatory licensing system for all police and peace officers in the state, requiring licenses by January 1, 2027, with licenses valid for five years and renewal tied to continuing education. License renewal includes specific training on de-escalation techniques for mental health crises, protests, and cultural competency regarding race, ethnicity, and gender identity. It creates an independent review board to handle disciplinary actions for professional misconduct (such as excessive force), with powers to revoke licenses, impose fines, or mandate additional training. The law also revises state criminal procedure codes to require that only officers licensed under this act may serve as police or peace officers.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeMandates licensing with de-escalation/cultural competency training and independent disciplinary review board, enhancing officer accountability per criminal justice reform indicators.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Law Enforcement Policing Tags Licensing

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in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 1555: Relates to establishing reporting duties of law enforcement agencies with respect to police misconduct allegations and outcomes

Relates to establishing reporting duties of law enforcement agencies with respect to police misconduct allegations and outcomes; requires the division of criminal justice services to establish and maintain on its official website a public, searchable database of alleged infractions and police misconduct complaints.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeRequires public database for police misconduct complaints, enhancing accountability and transparency in law enforcement per bill's reporting duties mandate.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Policing

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died · New York · Senate Mar 13, 2026

S 643: Establishes the youth justice innovation fund

Establishes the youth justice innovation fund to make funds available to community-based organizations for services and programs with the purpose of youth development and preventing youth arrest and incarceration.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill establishes a new fund allocating state resources to community organizations for youth development programs, directly increasing public service funding under budget appropriations.90% confidence ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticePrevents youth arrest/incarceration via community programs, aligning with reform goals of reducing recidivism and improving rehabilitation.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Juvenile Justice

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in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 4890: Establishes the crime of harassment of an employee by an incarcerated individual

S 4890 creates a new crime for incarcerated individuals who harass facility employees. It specifically prohibits: (1) displaying or touching intimate body parts in view of an employee, (2) causing an employee to be visible while doing so, or (3) threatening to expose bodily fluids. This applies to employees at correctional facilities, parole offices, mental health facilities, probation departments, or police officers. The offense is classified as a class B misdemeanor, punishable by fines or up to 90 days in jail.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeProtects correctional staff from harassment, enhancing facility safety and operational integrity within criminal justice system.85% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentProtects correctional facility employees from harassment, strengthening workplace safety protections for specific workers in high-risk environments.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Policing Probation & Parole Employment Discrimination

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in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 6646: Relates to admissibility of statements obtained from persons under the age of eighteen by means of deception

This bill makes statements by people under 18 obtained through deception during police custody questioning inadmissible in court. It creates a legal presumption that such statements are involuntary if law enforcement knowingly used false claims about evidence or fake promises of leniency to get a confession. The prosecution must prove the statement was voluntary by a preponderance of evidence, shifting the burden of proof to them. This applies to both criminal trials and family court cases involving minors under 18.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill protects minors' rights by making deceptive police tactics inadmissible and shifting burden to prosecution - aligns with civil rights and criminal justice reform indicators.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts Juvenile Justice Policing

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in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 3119: Establishes the crime of inciting violence against a police officer

S 3119 creates a new felony offense for intentionally advocating violence against police officers when that advocacy is likely to incite immediate violence. It directly affects individuals who publicly call for violence against officers, such as through speeches, social media, or other communications. The law defines the crime as a class D felony, punishable by up to 7 years in prison, and requires proof of both intent to incite violence and a likelihood of imminent harm. The bill would take effect 90 days after enactment if passed.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeCreates new felony for inciting violence against police, expanding criminalization of speech and restricting advocacy that could lead to violence against officers.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Policing

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in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 4440: Relates to claims for unjust conviction

This bill creates a new legal pathway for people wrongfully convicted of crimes to seek compensation from the state. It allows individuals who were pardoned for innocence, had convictions reversed, or had charges dismissed (specifically on grounds like DNA evidence or constitutional violations) to file claims. To qualify, claimants must prove they didn't commit the crime and weren't responsible for their conviction, with claims involving DNA evidence given court priority. If successful, claimants receive compensation of at least $1 million per year of wrongful imprisonment, plus reasonable attorney fees.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeCreates legal pathway for wrongfully convicted to seek state compensation, advancing criminal justice reform and protecting civil rights through accountability measures.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts Victims' Rights

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in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 1690: Gives preference to accredited law enforcement agencies when awarding grant funds

Provides that the division of criminal justice services shall give preference when awarding grant funds to any law enforcement agency to law enforcement agencies who are accredited by the law enforcement agency accreditation council.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill promotes law enforcement accreditation standards, enhancing accountability and quality in criminal justice system through grant funding preferences.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Law Enforcement

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passed both · New York · Senate Jun 5, 2026

S 2667: Prohibits the use of restraints on incarcerated individuals during labor, absent extraordinary circumstances, and on pregnant persons during a custodial interrogation

Prohibits the use of restraints on and the use of force against incarcerated individuals during labor and incarcerated individuals who have experienced different pregnancy outcomes, absent extraordinary circumstances, and on pregnant and post-pregnancy persons during a custodial interrogation; provides for certain exceptions for restraints to be used and in such case limits the use to wrist restraints.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeProhibits restraints on vulnerable incarcerated populations during labor and interrogation, aligning with civil rights protections and criminal justice reform principles.90% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareProhibits restraints during labor/pregnancy, protecting health safety of incarcerated individuals during critical health events, aligning with patient rights protection.80% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Human Trafficking Policing Women's Health

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in committee · New York · Assembly Jun 3, 2026

A 7172: Relation to the regulation of the use of artificial intelligence and facial recognition technology in criminal investigations

Requires the division of criminal justice services to promulgate a written protocol for the regulation of the use of artificial intelligence and facial recognition technology in criminal investigations.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeRegulates AI/facial recognition in investigations and restricts AI outputs in court to protect civil rights and enhance oversight, aligning with criminal justice reform indicators.95% confidence ✗ TechnologyOpposes TechnologyRestricts AI-generated evidence in court and mandates regulation of AI/facial recognition in criminal investigations, limiting technology use in legal context.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Artificial Intelligence Consumer Data Protection Emerging Technology

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