Criminal Justice (Corrections)

in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 5251: Relates to the custody of defendants who are subject to electronic location monitoring

This bill clarifies the legal status of defendants under electronic location monitoring. It specifies that such defendants are not considered "confined" in custody or committed to the sheriff's custody for specific legal purposes. The law amends two sections of the criminal procedure code to exclude these individuals from custody definitions used in other statutes. This directly affects defendants on electronic monitoring instead of jail, changing how their status is treated in legal proceedings. The change takes effect immediately upon enactment.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeClarifies electronic monitoring defendants aren't 'confined,' reducing unnecessary jail time and aligning with criminal justice reform goals to minimize incarceration.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections

Track

failed · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 1596: Requires mandatory jail time for violators of orders of protection

Bill A 1596 mandates specific minimum jail sentences for individuals who violate an existing order of protection by committing a family offense. For a first such violation, courts would be required to impose a jail term of no less than five days. A second violation involving a family offense would incur a mandatory minimum of fifteen days, while a third or subsequent violation would require a minimum of thirty days. This bill directly affects individuals who are found to have violated an order of protection through the commission of a family offense.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeMandates increasing mandatory sentences for protection order violations, expanding criminalization without reform elements.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Domestic Violence Sentencing

Track

in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 6419: Relates to preventing retaliation against incarcerated individuals following the filing of a grievance

Limits retaliation against incarcerated individuals following the filing of a grievance, by requiring more than the oral or written statement of the subject of a grievance filed by an incarcerated individual for the purposes of finding such incarcerated individual guilty at an evidentiary or disciplinary hearing for misbehavior.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticePrevents retaliation against inmates filing grievances, protecting civil rights in corrections - core criminal justice reform.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections

Track

in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 6863: Establishes an alternative resolution program for service members and veterans accused of certain felonies

This bill creates a program allowing courts to offer veterans and active service members accused of certain non-violent felonies (excluding sex offenses and specific violent crimes) an alternative to standard sentencing. It requires courts to assess whether the individual's military service contributed to their crime through a court-approved evaluation for conditions like PTSD or substance abuse. If eligible, defendants receive treatment instead of jail time, with the court considering if their service-related condition played a role in the offense. The program aims to address gaps in mental health care for veterans within the criminal justice system.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeOffers treatment instead of jail for veterans with military-related issues, promoting rehabilitation over incarceration in sentencing reform90% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates court-approved mental health evaluations (PTSD/substance abuse) for veterans' sentencing, directing treatment over jail time, supporting mental health access.85% confidence ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransBill offers treatment alternatives instead of jail for veterans with service-related issues (PTSD/substance abuse), diverting them from standard sentencing for non-violent felonies.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Courts Sentencing Substance Abuse Veteran Healthcare Veteran Housing Veteran Mental Health

Track

in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 7014: Requires institutions and local correctional facilities to adhere to certain surveillance, recording and investigation standards

Requires institutions and local correctional facilities to adhere to certain standards regarding the surveillance of incarcerated individuals and detainees, and access to such surveillance recordings.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill mandates surveillance standards and access to recordings in correctional facilities, enhancing oversight and protecting civil rights of incarcerated individuals.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections

Track

in committee · New York · Senate Apr 4, 2025

S 7108: Relates to women's health in correctional facilities

Relates to women's health in correctional facilities; establishes a women's health education program; requires HIV and STD testing to be offered to incarcerated individuals; provides pregnant incarcerated individuals with access to prenatal vitamins as well as a specialized diet tailored to pregnancy needs; requires a study and report on women's health in prison.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeMandates health services for incarcerated women in correctional facilities, promoting humane treatment and rehabilitation - directly advancing correctional care standards within criminal justice reform.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates HIV/STD testing, prenatal vitamins, specialized diets, and a health education program for incarcerated women, directly expanding healthcare access and services within correctional facilities.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Women's Health

Track

passed both · New York · Senate Jun 2, 2026

S 614: Provides for enrollment in medical assistance programs for incarcerated individuals

Provides for enrollment of eligible incarcerated persons in the medical assistance for needy persons program; provides for enrollment of incarcerated individuals in other medical assistance programs, where eligible.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeProvides medical assistance access for released inmates, supporting reintegration and reducing recidivism through healthcare continuity post-release.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill provides presumptive eligibility for medical assistance upon release from correctional facilities, expanding healthcare access for a vulnerable population by enabling enrollment without delay.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections

Track

in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 3916: Establishes the crime of harassment of an employee by an incarcerated individual

This bill creates a new class B misdemeanor crime for incarcerated individuals who harass facility employees. It specifically prohibits three actions: displaying intimate body parts in view of staff, causing employees to be exposed to such displays, or threatening to expose bodily fluids (blood, urine, etc.). The law directly affects correctional facility staff, parole board employees, mental health personnel, probation officers, and police officers working in these settings. Violations carry penalties of up to 90 days in jail. The bill focuses solely on protecting staff within correctional facilities and related agencies, without altering broader sentencing or release policies.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeCreates new misdemeanor for inmate harassment of staff, directly protecting correctional facility operations and personnel safety within criminal justice system.85% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentProtects correctional staff safety by criminalizing inmate harassment, directly advancing workplace safety standards for affected workers.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Policing Probation & Parole Employment Discrimination

Track

in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 7873: Ends involuntary servitude in correctional facilities in New York state

This bill prohibits involuntary servitude and forced labor in all New York state and local correctional facilities, directly affecting incarcerated individuals. It amends the Civil Rights Law to explicitly ban slavery, involuntary servitude, and forced labor for all people in New York - including those convicted of crimes - and adds a new Correction Law section prohibiting any labor compelled through force, threats, or adverse actions (like disciplinary measures). The law makes it illegal for facilities to require labor against an individual's will using coercion or fear of punishment. This represents a concrete legal change to end forced labor practices within New York's prison system.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBans forced labor in NY correctional facilities, explicitly protecting incarcerated individuals' civil rights under criminal justice reform95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentBill explicitly prohibits forced labor and involuntary servitude in correctional facilities, directly protecting incarcerated individuals from exploitation under labor rights framework.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Civil Rights Corrections Human Trafficking

Track

in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 5298: Prohibits corrections employees from participating in degrading behavior towards incarcerated persons or fellow employees

Prohibits corrections employees from participating in degrading behavior towards incarcerated persons or fellow employees; establishes any individual who participates in such behavior shall be disciplined by the department and may have their employment terminated for cause.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeProhibits degrading behavior by corrections staff, aligning with civil rights protection and oversight enhancements in criminal justice reform.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentProhibits degrading behavior towards fellow employees, establishing workplace safety standards through disciplinary measures for staff conduct.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections

Track