Criminal Justice

in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 4688: Increases the maximum sentence of imprisonment for certain misdemeanors to one year; repealer

This bill increases the maximum jail term for certain misdemeanors from 364 days to one full year. It directly affects individuals convicted of Class A misdemeanors and unclassified misdemeanors under New York's penal law. The key change amends specific sections of the penal law to update the sentencing limit, allowing courts to impose sentences up to one year for these offenses. The bill repeals a prior subdivision that previously capped sentences at 364 days for these categories.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeIncreases maximum misdemeanor sentences from 364 days to 1 year, aligning with 'increases mandatory sentences' indicator for oppose stance95% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Sentencing

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in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 4479: Relates to health facilities and services in correctional facilities

This bill amends New York's Public Health Law to establish new standards for health care in correctional facilities. It defines "correctional health care facility" as any part of a prison or jail providing health services under correctional authority, and requires the health commissioner to create regulations for these facilities' operation, construction, and standards. The bill mandates annual reviews of health care policies in correctional settings - specifically for HIV, AIDS, hepatitis C, and COVID-19 care - to ensure they meet medical standards, with public notice and transparency about findings. These changes directly affect incarcerated individuals, correctional facilities, and health care providers operating within jails and prisons.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill establishes health care standards in correctional facilities, improving conditions and aligning with criminal justice reform goals of humane treatment and rehabilitation.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareEstablishes new healthcare standards in prisons, mandates regulations and annual reviews for HIV/AIDS/Hep C, strengthening correctional healthcare services.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Public Health

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in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 7024: Relates to crimes committed on metropolitan transportation authority property

S 7024 elevates crimes committed on Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) property to a higher felony category. It makes any crime on MTA-owned or operated property (including stations, vehicles, and facilities) count as one category higher than the original offense - for example, a class B felony becomes an A-1 felony. The bill mandates minimum sentencing ranges: at least six years for indeterminate sentences on class B felonies, and a minimum 20-year term for A-1 felony convictions. This directly affects individuals convicted of crimes in MTA spaces, altering their sentencing under New York’s penal law.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeBill elevates crimes on MTA property to higher felonies and mandates minimum sentences, expanding criminalization and reducing judicial discretion per indicators.95% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationBill enhances MTA infrastructure safety by increasing penalties for crimes on transit property, aligning with transportation safety indicators.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Sentencing

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in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 7505: Relates to the construction or improvement of correctional facilities and the care, custody, correction, treatment, supervision, discipline, and other correctional programs in such facilities

Relates to the promulgation of rules and regulations establishing minimum standards for the construction or improvement of correctional facilities and the care, custody, correction, treatment, supervision, discipline, and other correctional programs for all persons confined in such facilities; allows counties flexibility in establishing minimum staffing ratios.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeSets minimum standards for correctional facility care, custody, and treatment, advancing rehabilitation and facility conditions per criminal justice reform indicators.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections

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passed · New York · Senate Apr 20, 2026

S 114: Prohibits state chartered banking institutions from investing in and providing financing for private prisons

This bill prohibits state-chartered banks from investing in or providing financing for private prisons. It directly affects state-chartered banking institutions by banning financial support for entities owning or operating private correctional facilities. The key provision (Section 12 of the banking law) explicitly forbids banks from funding or purchasing securities related to such facilities, aligning with existing state restrictions on private prisons under Correction Law §121. The law applies immediately to all new or modified financial contracts after its effective date.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeProhibits bank funding for private prisons, directly advancing criminal justice reform by reducing reliance on for-profit corrections systems.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections

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in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 7972: Relates to allowing victim impact statements to be submitted at parole revocation hearings

Bill S 7972 allows victims of crimes to submit impact statements during parole revocation hearings for the individual who committed the crime. It amends current law to enable victims to provide written, audiotaped, or videotaped statements, or to meet personally with the presiding officer. Upon a victim's request, the department must inform them of the hearing details. If the presiding officer finds a parole violation, they must then inform the victim of their right to submit such a statement. This bill directly affects crime victims and individuals facing parole revocation.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill enables victim impact statements at parole revocation hearings, enhancing victim participation in criminal justice process per reform goals.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Probation & Parole Victims' Rights

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in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 7593: Allows access to sealed and protected records to civilian law enforcement oversight entities conducting investigations and disciplinary proceedings for misconduct by police and peace officers

Allows access to sealed and protected records to civilian law enforcement oversight entities conducting investigations and disciplinary proceedings for misconduct by police and peace officers.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill enables civilian oversight to access sealed records for police misconduct investigations, directly enhancing law enforcement accountability per reform indicators.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Policing

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in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 127: Relates to findings of the state board of parole necessary for discretionary release of incarcerated individuals on parole

This bill changes New York's parole process by requiring the state board of parole to consider specific factors before granting release. It mandates evaluation of rehabilitation efforts (like programs, therapy, and work assignments), release plans (including housing, jobs, and support services), and deportation status, while prohibiting decisions based mainly on victim statements or prior criminal records. Parole denials must include detailed written explanations, and the board must report quarterly to lawmakers with demographic data on denied cases (excluding individual identities). These changes aim to standardize parole decisions and increase transparency.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeMandates parole board to prioritize rehabilitation, release planning, and deportation status over prior records/victim statements, reducing bias and advancing reform goals.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Probation & Parole

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in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 857: Establishes the crime of assault of a protester in the first, second, and third degrees

This bill creates three new assault offenses specifically targeting attacks on individuals engaged in protected protest activities. It defines "protest activities" as peaceful picketing or demonstrations covered by constitutional rights. The law establishes three degrees of assault: third-degree (class E felony) for causing physical injury with intent, second-degree (class C felony) for causing serious injury or using a weapon, and first-degree (class B felony) for causing serious injury with a weapon. Convictions for first-degree assault require consecutive sentencing to any prior prison terms. The bill directly affects individuals who assault protesters during lawful demonstrations and alters sentencing for these specific offenses.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill creates new assault offenses targeting attacks on protected protest activities, directly protecting civil rights during lawful demonstrations per constitutional protections.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Sentencing Violent Crime

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in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 320: Relates to the limited credit time allowances for certain incarcerated individuals

Increases the limited credit time allowances for certain incarcerated individuals serving indeterminate or determinate sentences imposed for specified offenses up to twenty-four months.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeIncreases credit time allowances for incarcerated individuals, reducing sentence duration and aligning with criminal justice reform goals to promote rehabilitation and reduce recidivism.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Sentencing

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