Criminal Justice (Probation & Parole)

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 · 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 5293: Relates to public health emergency allowances against sentences for certain incarcerated individuals

Relates to public health emergency allowances against sentences for certain incarcerated individuals; allows up to twelve months of public health emergency allowances to be given to incarcerated individuals during a public health crisis.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeAllows sentence reduction during public health crises, aligning with criminal justice reform by reducing incarceration time for affected individuals.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Probation & Parole

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in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 1861: Relates to the use of risk and needs principles in parole decisions

Requires the use of risk and needs assessments in parole decisions; provides a process permitting incarcerated individuals to correct verifiable factual mistakes or errors in their risk and needs assessments or other non-confidential documents given the board prior to their appearances.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeRequires evidence-based risk/needs assessments in parole decisions and allows correction of factual errors, promoting fairer outcomes and rehabilitation-focused reform.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Probation & Parole Sentencing

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in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 430: Establishes the office of pretrial services

Moves from the Office of Court Administration (OCA) to the Division of Criminal Justice Services (DCJS) responsibility for certifying, establishing and implementing standards for pretrial services agencies of the state.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeTransfers pretrial services oversight to DCJS for standardized implementation, enhancing criminal justice system oversight and reform efforts.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts Probation & Parole

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in committee · New York · Senate Mar 17, 2026

S 3201: Relates to risk assessment instruments for sex offenders

This bill amends New York's correction law to standardize how courts assess sex offenders' risk levels and determine community notification requirements. It requires courts to use specific risk assessment instruments to classify offenders into Level 1 (low risk), Level 2 (moderate risk), or Level 3 (high risk) notification categories, and to decide if they qualify as sexual predators, sexually violent offenders, or predicate sex offenders. The law mandates written notice to offenders and prosecutors before hearings, allows offenders to present evidence and request appointed counsel, and prohibits relitigating facts established in prior trials. These changes directly affect sex offenders on probation or discharged after court proceedings, impacting how long they must register and what public information is disclosed about them.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeStandardizes sex offender risk assessment and notification, promoting consistent, transparent court decisions aligned with criminal justice reform principles.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts Probation & Parole

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in committee · New York · Senate Feb 25, 2026

S 5061: Establishes a reintegration pilot program for individuals being released from correctional facilities

Directs DOCCS, in collaboration with OTDA, OMH and OASAS, to establish a 5-year reintegration pilot program for individuals being released from correctional facilities to provide supports and services to prepare for release, assist with reintegration into the community, and reduce recidivism.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill establishes reintegration program to reduce recidivism through community support services, directly advancing criminal justice reform goals.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Probation & Parole

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in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 1254: Makes life imprisonment without parole mandatory for defendants convicted of murder in the first degree and the victim is a police officer

This bill mandates life imprisonment without parole for anyone convicted of first-degree murder when the victim was a police officer. It directly affects defendants found guilty of killing law enforcement officers in the line of duty. The key provision amends sentencing laws to make life without parole the required sentence in these specific cases, removing judicial discretion. This change applies only to first-degree murder convictions where the victim was a police officer, not to other murder cases.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeBill mandates life without parole for murder of police officers, removing judicial discretion and increasing mandatory sentences, opposing criminal justice reform by restricting defendant rights.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Policing Probation & Parole Sentencing

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in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 7723: Relates to expanding qualifying offenses eligible for pretrial detention and bail

This bill expands the list of offenses for which courts may deny pretrial release or require bail, directly affecting defendants charged with these specific crimes. Key additions include sex trafficking, witness intimidation/tampering, certain hate crimes, crimes involving family members (like assault or strangulation), and offenses committed while on probation or after violating release conditions. The law specifies that courts can order pretrial detention for these qualifying offenses instead of releasing defendants on their own recognizance or under non-monetary conditions. It does not change bail amounts or sentencing but alters when pretrial detention becomes an option for these listed offenses.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeExpands pretrial detention for specific offenses, reducing defendant rights and increasing criminalization without reform measures.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Human Trafficking Probation & Parole Sentencing

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