Criminal Justice (Policing)

in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 1684: Establishes a special prosecutor to investigate and prosecute matters involving the death of an unarmed civilian caused by a law enforcement officer

This bill establishes a special prosecutor appointed by the governor to investigate and prosecute cases where an unarmed civilian dies due to a police officer's actions. The special prosecutor, serving a 3-year term, replaces local district attorneys in these cases and must dedicate full time to such investigations. They are required to conduct independent reviews - including evidence gathering and witness interviews - and submit detailed reports to the governor and legislature when declining to pursue charges or when grand juries refuse indictments. The special prosecutor’s role takes effect 60 days after the bill becomes law.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeCreates independent special prosecutor for police-involved civilian deaths, enhancing law enforcement accountability and criminal justice reform.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Policing

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in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 1478: Relates to criminalizing the act of stalking a police officer or peace officer

This bill adds new felony offenses to New York's penal law specifically for stalking police officers or peace officers and their immediate family members (spouses, children, parents, or household members). It creates three levels of stalking: third degree (intentional conduct causing fear of harm), second degree (multiple incidents or prior related convictions), and first degree (causing physical injury or escalating crimes). The law defines prohibited conduct as repeated, unwanted contact, following, or communication after being told to stop, with penalties ranging from class E to class D felonies. It directly affects law enforcement officers and their families by providing specific legal protections against targeted stalking behavior.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill creates new felony stalking offenses to protect police officers and families, strengthening law enforcement safety within criminal justice system.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Domestic Violence Policing

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in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 1216: Relates to crisis intervention training for police officers

S 1216 requires police departments in cities with populations of one million or more to implement crisis intervention training for all officers. The bill mandates that city councils develop written protocols - created with input from mental health and addiction officials - for responding to situations involving people experiencing mental illness or substance abuse. These protocols must include mandatory training for both new and veteran officers, along with recommendations for ongoing retraining programs. The law applies to large cities and takes effect 90 days after enactment.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeMandates crisis intervention training for police handling mental health crises, promoting de-escalation and reducing unnecessary force - key criminal justice reform indicators.85% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates police training with mental health officials, improving crisis response for mental illness per bill's protocol requirements, directly supporting mental health services.92% confidence

Sub-Topics Law Enforcement Policing Mental Health Substance Abuse

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in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 336: Requires the use of body-worn cameras on certain correction officers

This bill requires correction officers supervising general population in maximum-security facilities to wear body-worn cameras recording both audio and video during all interactions with incarcerated individuals. It mandates that all cameras be installed within six months of the law's effective date, with recordings retained for at least six months and subject to privacy protections. The law also requires the department to issue an annual report evaluating the cameras' impact on safety metrics like assaults, injuries, and deaths. The policy directly affects correction officers, incarcerated individuals, and department staff in designated facilities.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeMandates body cameras for correction officers to enhance accountability and transparency in corrections, aligning with criminal justice reform goals.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Policing

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in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 7193: Relates to justification for the use of deadly physical force by a police or peace officer

Limits the circumstances which justify the use of deadly force by a police officer or peace officer to instances when the person committed a felony that threatened or resulted in death or serious bodily injury and the officer reasonably believes that the person will cause death or serious bodily injury to another person unless immediately apprehended.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeLimits police deadly force to felony threats causing death/injury, enhancing accountability and civil rights protection in law enforcement.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Law Enforcement Policing

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in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 1159: Designates offenses against law enforcement officers as hate crimes and makes graffiti a hate crime

This bill amends New York's penal law to expand hate crime designations. It adds "actual or perceived employment as a law enforcement officer" as a protected characteristic, meaning attacks against police officers motivated by bias can now be classified as hate crimes. It also explicitly includes "making graffiti" (under section 145.60) as a specified offense that qualifies as a hate crime when committed due to bias against a protected characteristic. This change affects individuals who commit certain offenses (like assault or graffiti) with bias targeting law enforcement or other protected traits, potentially increasing penalties for those acts.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeExpands hate crime protections to include law enforcement officers and bias-motivated graffiti, strengthening legal safeguards against bias-based violence per civil rights indicators.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Civil Rights Policing Violent Crime

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in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 1400: Relates to providing increased and uniform training requirements and outreach for law enforcement and establishes law enforcement peer support

Relates to providing increased and uniform training requirements including implicit bias, use of force, first aid and firearm training, and outreach for law enforcement; establishes law enforcement peer support through the office of mental health.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeMandates implicit bias and use of force training for law enforcement, establishes peer support for mental health, directly advancing accountability and reform within criminal justice.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Firearms Law Enforcement Policing

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in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 1811: Requires reporting to the federal bureau of investigation's national use-of-force data collection program

This bill requires New York police departments and sheriff's offices to report all use-of-force incidents to the FBI's national database. It defines specific reportable events, including firearm discharge, chokeholds, chemical agents, and other restraints causing injury or death. Reports must include detailed incident circumstances and demographic details of involved individuals (age, race, gender, etc.). Failure to submit reports risks a 10% reduction in state funding for the affected department.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeMandates use-of-force reporting with demographics to enhance police accountability and transparency in law enforcement, aligning with criminal justice reform indicators.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Firearms Policing

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in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 1830: Requires police officer training programs on interacting with individuals with a disability

Requires police officer training programs on interacting with individuals with a disability with special emphasis on the techniques needed to improve interactions with individuals that are blind or deaf or hard of hearing; provides such training shall be created in consultation with the justice center for the protection of people with special needs.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeMandates police training on disability interactions, enhancing officer accountability and protecting civil rights for vulnerable populations.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Law Enforcement Policing Tags People with Disabilities

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in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 310: Prohibits motor vehicle stops for certain violations

This bill prohibits police from stopping a vehicle solely for minor violations like expired registration, unsecured license plates, or minor equipment issues (e.g., a single broken headlight). It allows stops only when an officer observes a "primary" violation (like speeding) at the same time as the minor issue. Drivers would no longer face stops for things such as a temporarily expired registration or a single non-working light, unless a more serious violation was also observed. The law directly affects drivers pulled over for these specific secondary violations, changing when stops can legally occur.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeRestricts minor traffic stops, reducing potential for racial profiling and over-policing - aligns with criminal justice reform goals of limiting unnecessary law enforcement encounters.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Policing

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