Criminal Justice

in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 5374: Relates to the classification of certain crimes relating to assaults on police officers

S 5374 amends New York's penal law to increase the felony classification for assaults targeting specific public safety personnel. It raises assault on police officers from a class D to a class C felony under Section 120.05, elevates assault on peace officers to a class B felony (from class C) under Section 120.08, and upgrades aggravated assault on police to a class A felony (from class B) under Section 120.11. These changes directly affect individuals convicted of assaulting police officers, firefighters, or emergency medical personnel. The bill makes the penalties for these specific crimes more severe by moving them to higher felony classifications. The legislation takes effect immediately upon enactment.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeBill increases felony classifications for assaults on police officers, raising penalties from lower to higher felony classes, directly increasing mandatory sentences.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Policing Violent Crime

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in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 6043: Revokes community supervision for certain conduct

This bill changes how community supervision (probation or parole) is handled for certain violations. It requires individuals on supervision to be sent back to jail for violations involving specific serious conduct, including kidnapping, coercion, firearms offenses, dangerous weapons, and sex offenses. Minor technical violations like missing curfew, using alcohol/drugs (unless related to DUI), or failing to report job changes will no longer result in jail time. Instead, the bill sets clear limits: no jail for first two violations, up to 30 days for repeated violations, and mandates jail for violations posing serious harm. It directly affects people on community supervision who commit these specific types of violations.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeMandates jail time for serious violations (kidnapping, firearms, sex offenses), restricting community supervision options for specified offenses.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Probation & Parole

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in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 5243: Requires the county sheriff to oversee an annual jail staffing analysis and provide a report to the commission of corrections and community supervision

Requires the county sheriff to oversee an annual jail staffing analysis and provide a report to the commission of corrections and community supervision and give the public the opportunity to view the statistics of their local county jail.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeRequires annual jail staffing analysis and public reporting, enhancing transparency and oversight in corrections - key criminal justice reform indicator.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Probation & Parole

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passed · New York · Assembly May 4, 2026

A 8930: Relates to risk assessment instruments for sex offenders

This bill amends New York's correction law to standardize how courts determine sex offender registration levels and classifications. It requires courts to use specific risk assessment tools to decide if a sex offender (released on probation, conditional discharge, or with a fine) must register long-term, be classified as a sexual predator/violent offender, or receive higher community notification. The process includes mandatory hearings where the district attorney must prove classifications with clear evidence, offenders can present evidence, and courts must provide written notices explaining the classification's impact on registration duration and public disclosure. The bill also ensures confidentiality for board recommendations and guarantees legal representation for financially unable offenders.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeStandardizes risk assessments with mandatory DA proof for classifications, requiring evidence to protect civil rights and ensure fair process in sex offender classification.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Probation & Parole

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in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 1888: Relates to addiction counseling services for incarcerated individuals

S 1888 requires New York state correctional facilities to establish addiction counseling programs for incarcerated individuals diagnosed with substance use disorders following medical screening. The bill mandates that facilities partner with the Office of Addiction Services and Supports to create individualized treatment plans, though participation is voluntary. It also extends these requirements to county jails through new standards for equivalent counseling services. The law takes effect immediately upon enactment. This directly affects incarcerated people with substance use disorders in both state and county correctional facilities.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeMandates addiction counseling in correctional facilities and jails for substance use disorders, promoting rehabilitation and reducing recidivism per criminal justice reform indicators.90% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates addiction counseling services for incarcerated individuals with substance use disorders, expanding access to treatment and supporting mental health services per healthcare topic description.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Drug Policy Substance Abuse

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in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 1378: Relates to presumptive evidence that a person committed a hate crime

This bill establishes specific facts that can serve as presumptive evidence for hate crimes under New York law. It directly affects prosecutors building hate crime cases by allowing four scenarios to be used as presumptive evidence: (1) the defendant made statements about protected characteristics (race, gender, religion, etc.) during the offense, (2) the defendant has a documented pattern of prejudice against the same protected class, (3) the victim was part of a outnumbered group in the area, or (4) bias symbols were left at the crime scene. The bill clarifies that proof of protected characteristics alone isn’t sufficient evidence but provides these specific, concrete circumstances to support hate crime claims. It does not change the legal definition of hate crimes but outlines clear, objective factors prosecutors may use to establish them.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill establishes presumptive evidence for hate crimes, strengthening prosecution of bias-motivated offenses and aligning with civil rights protections in criminal justice reform.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Civil Rights

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in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 4149: Enhances criminal investigations and prosecutions in relation to the integrity of statements of those accused of crimes

Enhances criminal investigations and prosecutions in relation to the integrity of statements of those accused of crimes and to promote confidence in the criminal justice system.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill enhances investigations/prosecutions for statement integrity, promoting system confidence (inferred civil rights protection via reliable evidence).75% confidence

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in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 6477: Establishes the recidivism reduction act, which creates the office of reentry services

This bill creates a new Office of Reentry Services within New York's Division of Criminal Justice Services to help people leaving prison reintegrate into communities. The office must screen incarcerated individuals within seven days of admission to assess medical, educational, and job readiness needs, and provide tailored reentry planning meetings at key points (upon entry, as requested, and six months before release). It requires the office to connect individuals with housing, employment, job training, healthcare, and public benefits programs during incarceration and for up to three years after release, including arranging transportation to their residence on release day. The bill also mandates a public directory of reentry support services and ensures funding for the office cannot be reduced through budget reallocations.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeCreates Office of Reentry Services to reduce recidivism via tailored reentry planning, housing, and employment connections, directly advancing rehabilitation and criminal justice reform.95% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill mandates Office of Reentry Services to connect returning citizens with housing, directly advancing housing access for a vulnerable population.90% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentBill connects formerly incarcerated individuals to employment services and job readiness, directly supporting workforce reintegration and access to employment opportunities.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Probation & Parole Workforce Development

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in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 3926: Relates to the discoverability of recordings found on police body worn cameras and vehicle cameras

S 3926 requires full disclosure of all recordings from police body cameras and vehicle cameras in criminal cases, including outtakes and unused portions, rather than just footage the prosecution plans to use. It directly affects prosecutors, defendants, and courts in criminal proceedings involving police video evidence. The bill mandates that prosecutors disclose all such recordings unless exempt under public officers law, with a limited exception: if materials exceed 10 hours, prosecutors may initially disclose only trial-relevant footage plus a summary, but must provide additional requested recordings within 15 days. This changes current disclosure practices to increase transparency around police-captured video evidence.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeMandates full disclosure of police body camera footage, enhancing transparency and accountability in criminal proceedings per bill's core requirement.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Policing

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in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 2506: Relates to addiction counseling services for incarcerated individuals

This bill establishes a mandatory addiction counseling program for incarcerated individuals with substance use disorders in New York state correctional facilities. After medical screening, those diagnosed with a substance use disorder must be offered placement in the program (though participation is voluntary), with each individual developing an individualized treatment plan with a specialist. It also requires county jails to create equivalent addiction counseling services through new standards in Section 45 of the Correction Law. The bill directly affects incarcerated people in state prisons and county facilities who have been screened and identified as having a substance use disorder.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeEstablishes mandatory addiction counseling in correctional facilities to address substance use disorders, directly promoting rehabilitation and reducing recidivism per criminal justice reform indicators.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill mandates addiction counseling services for incarcerated individuals with substance use disorders, expanding access to healthcare treatment in correctional facilities.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Substance Abuse

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