Criminal Justice

in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 175: Establishes the crime of aggravated offering of a false accusation against a police officer

Establishes the crime of aggravated offering of a false accusation against a police officer or peace officer for knowing the information reported to be false or baseless, such person reports, by word or action, to a law enforcement officer or agency, the wrongdoing by a police officer or peace officer in the performance of such officer's duties; requires the posting of bail.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeBill criminalizes false accusations against police, expanding criminalization and potentially weakening law enforcement oversight by deterring reporting of misconduct.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Policing

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in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 6597: Relates to bail for certain offenses involving threats of mass harm against a school district, school, school staff or a student

This bill requires courts to consider bail for specific offenses targeting schools or students, including threats of mass harm, aggravated harassment, or terroristic threats against school districts, staff, or students. It amends criminal procedure law to mandate bail consideration when a defendant is charged with these offenses while already out on release or awaiting arraignment for a related crime. Prosecutors must show reasonable cause the defendant committed the offense, but courts may still release defendants on their own recognizance if the alleged harm (like minor property damage) is deemed negligible and unrelated to other criminal activity. The bill directly affects defendants charged with these school-targeted offenses during pretrial proceedings.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeBill mandates bail consideration for school threats, restricting defendant rights by making pretrial release harder for serious offenses.85% confidence

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in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 3792: Repeals certain provisions of law relating to the use of certain body imaging scanning equipment at local correctional facilities

This bill repeals a specific provision in the public health law that regulated the use of body imaging scanning equipment at local correctional facilities. It directly affects county and municipal jails by removing an existing legal requirement governing such scanners. The key mechanism is the removal of Section 3502, subdivision 6 from the public health law, eliminating that specific regulation. The bill takes effect immediately upon enactment.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeRepeals regulation on body scanners in correctional facilities, removing oversight that likely protected inmate rights, weakening corrections oversight85% confidence

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in committee · New York · Senate Feb 3, 2026

S 160: Authorizes voting by incarcerated people

This bill (S 160) proposes a constitutional amendment to grant voting rights to people incarcerated in state correctional facilities. It would amend the state constitution to explicitly include "any incarcerated person" among citizens entitled to vote in all elections, provided they are 18+ and meet standard residency requirements (30 days in the county, city, or village before an election). The amendment would directly affect incarcerated individuals by restoring their voting eligibility, aligning with existing constitutional provisions for other citizens. The bill requires a constitutional amendment process, including legislative approval and a public referendum after the next general election.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeRestores voting rights for incarcerated individuals, advancing civil rights and criminal justice reform by promoting reintegration and rehabilitation.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Civil Rights

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in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 5897: Creates the crime of falsely accusing someone of a crime

This bill creates a new crime for knowingly submitting a false written accusation of a crime to law enforcement. It directly affects individuals who sign and submit false police reports or similar documents, knowing the accusation is untrue. The law makes this a class E felony, punishable by up to four years in prison. The bill specifically targets false criminal accusations made to police or prosecutors, not general false statements.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeCreates new class E felony for false police reports, expanding criminalization of accusations to law enforcement90% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Policing

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failed · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 7565: Relates to fixing bail and cause for arresting for non-citizen; repealer

Makes all offenses qualifying offenses for bail where the principal is a non-citizen; requires courts remand without bail when any principal charged with an offense has an outstanding United States immigration and customs enforcement detainer; includes federal laws, rules, and regulations in the definition of offense; allows police officers to detain certain non-citizens; reinstates the maximum sentence for misdemeanors as three hundred sixty-five days.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeReinstates 365-day max for misdemeanors and mandates no bail for non-citizens with immigration detainers, increasing penalties and restricting defendant rights.95% confidence ✗ ImmigrationOpposes ImmigrationThe bill restricts bail for non-citizens, mandates cooperation with ICE detainers, and allows police to detain certain non-citizens, directly increasing state immigration enforcement.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Policing Detention Enforcement Sanctuary Policies

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in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 5097: Increases the penalty for robbery of property from a bank; makes the crime a class C felony

S 5097 increases the penalty for robbing property from a bank or certain financial institutions (like credit unions, savings banks, or similar entities) by classifying it as a class C felony. The bill amends New York's Penal Law to specifically define this type of robbery and set the new penalty level, replacing less severe charges. This change directly affects individuals convicted of such robberies, subjecting them to harsher sentencing than before. The law does not alter the definition of robbery generally but elevates penalties for crimes targeting financial institutions.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeBill upgrades bank robbery to class C felony, increasing penalties and expanding criminalization per indicators for 'oppose' stance.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Sentencing Violent Crime

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in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 332: Relates to conferring youthful offender status upon conviction of an eligible youth for a misdemeanor

This bill (S 332) changes how courts handle misdemeanor convictions for eligible young people. It requires courts to automatically classify as "youthful offenders" any youth convicted of a misdemeanor with no prior criminal record or youthful offender status. This classification prevents a permanent criminal record and blocks prison sentences longer than four years. The law applies to misdemeanor cases occurring after its effective date, with courts also having discretion to grant youthful offender status in other eligible cases.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill automatically grants youthful offender status for eligible youth, preventing permanent records and limiting prison sentences, reducing recidivism and supporting reform.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Juvenile Justice

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in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 7099: Enacts the "Michael K. Williams law" to establish a grant program to incentivize counties and municipalities to reduce prison populations

Enacts the "Michael K. Williams law" to establish a grant program to incentivize counties and municipalities to reduce prison populations; makes an appropriation therefor.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill explicitly appropriates state funds for a grant program to reduce prison populations, directly funding a public safety initiative through budget allocation.95% confidence ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill creates grant program to incentivize reducing prison populations, a direct criminal justice reform measure focused on reducing incarceration rates.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections

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in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 3508: Relates to publishing data on the effects of bail reform

This bill (S 3508) requires New York State agencies to collect and publish specific data about bail reform's impact. The Office of Court Administration and Division of Criminal Justice Services must gather and post online: (1) how many people were charged with crimes no longer requiring bail, (2) how many released without bail re-offended before trial, and (3) the types of crimes re-offenders committed. The data must be searchable on state websites within 30 days of the bill's effective date. This aims to provide objective information on bail reform outcomes for public and legislative review.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeRequires data collection on bail reform's impact to inform evidence-based policy, aligning with criminal justice reform goals of transparency and effectiveness.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts

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