Criminal Justice

in committee · New York · Assembly Jun 1, 2026

A 10307: Requires notification of firearm denials to local law enforcement and the local prosecutor having jurisdiction where the prohibited person sought to acquire the firearm

Requires notification of firearm denials to local law enforcement and the local prosecutor having jurisdiction where the prohibited person sought to acquire the firearm; requires local law enforcement to initiate a criminal investigation within five business days.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeRequires law enforcement investigation of firearm denial cases, enhancing public safety and procedural accountability in criminal justice system.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Firearms Law Enforcement

Track

in committee · New York · Senate Feb 19, 2026

S 9257: Enacts the voices of immigrant communities empowering survivors (VOICES) act; repealer

Enacts the Voices of Immigrant Communities Empowering Survivors (VOICES) Act which provides certification to certain immigrant victims of qualifying criminal activity.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeProvides certification to immigrant victims of crime, enhancing victim support within criminal justice system and aligning with civil rights protections for survivors.85% confidence ✓ ImmigrationSupports ImmigrationProvides certification for immigrant crime victims, enabling access to services and protections. Directly supports immigrant rights and survivor assistance.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Human Trafficking Victims' Rights

Track

in committee · New York · Senate Feb 18, 2026

S 9231: Authorizes bail for principals charged with aggravated cruelty to animals

This bill (S 9231) amends New York's criminal procedure law to include "aggravated cruelty to animals" as an offense for which bail may be authorized. It specifically adds this charge - defined under Agriculture and Markets Law § 353-a - to existing lists of offenses where bail eligibility applies. The bill affects defendants charged with aggravated animal cruelty under current law, directly changing their bail eligibility under sections 510.10, 530.20, and 530.40. It does not alter the definition of the crime or its penalties, only the bail process for this specific charge. The bill takes effect immediately upon enactment.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeExpands bail eligibility for animal cruelty charges, aligning with pretrial reform efforts to reduce unnecessary pretrial detention.85% confidence

Track

in committee · New York · Senate Feb 6, 2026

S 9152: Requires that Miranda rights statements be more specific

Requires that Miranda rights statements be more specific with respect to the right to counsel; requires inquiry into whether such rights are understood.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill mandates clearer Miranda rights statements to ensure understanding of counsel rights, protecting defendant due process and enhancing legal safeguards in criminal proceedings.95% confidence

Track

in committee · New York · Senate Feb 10, 2026

S 9170: Relates to requisite training for police officers for crimes involving human trafficking; and relates to requisite training for entities providing public transportation

Requires state and municipal police academy course training in the recognition and handling of matters involving human trafficking; requires public transportation authorities and contractors to provide training in the recognition and handling of matters involving human trafficking.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeRequires police and public transportation training on human trafficking recognition, enhancing law enforcement response to a criminal justice issue per reform indicators.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Human Trafficking Law Enforcement Policing

Track

in committee · New York · Senate Feb 13, 2026

S 9210: Prohibits requiring certain municipalities to contribute local shares of eligible expenditures in order to receive funding associated with raising the age of juvenile jurisdiction above fifteen years of age

Prohibits requiring counties or the city of New York to contribute local shares of eligible expenditures in order to receive funding associated with raising the age of juvenile jurisdiction above fifteen years of age.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeProhibits local funding barriers for juvenile jurisdiction reform, enabling access to funds for raising age of juvenile jurisdiction, aligning with criminal justice reform goals.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Juvenile Justice

Track

in committee · New York · Senate Feb 18, 2026

S 9229: Relates to authorizing bail and pre-trial detention for arson felonies

This bill (S 9229, "Billy's law") adds arson in the fourth degree (Penal Law § 150.05) and arson in the third degree (Penal Law § 150.10) to the list of offenses where judges may deny bail or order pre-trial detention. It directly affects defendants charged with these specific arson felonies who are already out on bail, released under conditions, or awaiting arraignment for other crimes involving harm to people or property. The law amends New York’s criminal procedure law to include these arson charges under the same bail denial criteria applied to other serious offenses like firearm possession or crimes causing identifiable harm. This change requires judges to consider the nature of the arson charge when determining pre-trial release, without altering the existing "reasonable cause" standard prosecutors must meet.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeRestricts defendant bail rights for arson offenses, increasing pre-trial detention without reform intent. Explicitly authorizes denial of bail for specific arson felonies.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Drug Policy Firearms

Track

in committee · New York · Senate Feb 27, 2026

S 9322: Relates to adding 7-Hydroxymitragynine to the schedule of controlled substances

This bill adds 7-Hydroxymitragynine (including all its salts, isomers, and salts of isomers) to Schedule I of controlled substances under New York's public health law. It directly affects anyone possessing, distributing, or using this compound, as Schedule I classification makes it illegal without specific authorization. The key mechanism is a specific legal amendment to the public health law, explicitly listing the chemical compound and its variants for regulatory control. This change would subject 7-Hydroxymitragynine to the strictest federal and state controls on substances with no accepted medical use and high abuse potential.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeAdds substance to Schedule I, expanding criminalization of possession/distribution, opposing reform efforts to reduce drug-related offenses and harsh sentencing.92% confidence

Sub-Topics Drug Policy

Track

in committee · New York · Assembly Feb 12, 2026

A 10151: Prohibits law enforcement officers from arresting a person solely based on certain characteristics

Prohibits law enforcement officers from arresting a person solely based on certain characteristics including race or ethnicity, language or accent, location where found, or type of job; establishes a penalty for officers who have violated such provisions.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeProhibits discriminatory arrests based on race/ethnicity, enhancing police accountability and civil rights protection in criminal justice reform.95% confidence ✓ ImmigrationSupports ImmigrationBill prohibits arrests based on race, ethnicity, language, accent, location, or job type - commonly used in immigration enforcement. Directly protects immigrant rights by limiting discriminatory policing.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Law Enforcement

Track

in committee · New York · Senate May 12, 2026

S 9315: Relates to pre-release briefings for incarcerated veterans regarding available federal and state benefits

Directs the department of veterans' services to conduct pre-release briefings for incarcerated veterans regarding available federal and state benefits available to veterans and their families and how to apply for such benefits.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeProvides pre-release briefings for incarcerated veterans to access benefits, aiding reintegration and reducing recidivism through targeted rehabilitation support.95% confidence ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransDirects pre-release briefings for incarcerated veterans on available benefits and application process, improving access to existing services and benefits.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Veteran Benefits Veteran Education Veteran Housing

Track