Criminal Justice (Policing)

in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 5741: 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 narrow circumstances, enhancing accountability and reducing excessive force incidents per criminal justice reform indicators.92% confidence

Sub-Topics Law Enforcement Policing

Track

in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 5954: Relates to prohibiting law enforcement officers and peace officers from inquiring about the immigration status of a victim or witness to a criminal offense

This bill prohibits state and local police officers and designated peace officers from asking crime victims or witnesses about their immigration status, except when necessary to investigate the crime. It directly affects individuals reporting crimes or testifying in court who might otherwise face immigration-related questions. The law applies to all law enforcement officers defined under New York's criminal procedure law and takes effect immediately. The provision aims to encourage crime reporting by ensuring victims and witnesses aren't deterred by fears of immigration enforcement.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeProhibits law enforcement from inquiring about immigration status of crime victims/witnesses, protecting civil rights and encouraging reporting - key criminal justice reform goals.90% confidence ✓ ImmigrationSupports ImmigrationBill S 5954 protects immigrants by prohibiting law enforcement from inquiring about the immigration status of crime victims/witnesses, encouraging reporting and limiting state enforcement.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts Policing Enforcement Sanctuary Policies

Track

in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 3813: Directs the division of criminal justice services to study, evaluate, and make recommendations concerning instances of police brutality in the city of Rochester

Directs the division of criminal justice services to study, evaluate, and make recommendations concerning instances of police brutality in the city of Rochester.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill directs study of police brutality in Rochester, aligning with enhancing police accountability and criminal justice reform indicators.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Civil Rights Policing

Track

in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 176: Relates to providing a civil action for deprivation of rights

S 176 creates a new civil legal remedy allowing individuals to sue when their constitutional or legal rights are violated by government officials or public entities acting under government authority. It directly affects anyone whose rights are deprived by such actors, including victims of police misconduct, discriminatory policies, or other state-sponsored violations. Key provisions include allowing lawsuits for damages and attorney fees (even if the case settles without a court judgment), removing common defenses like "good faith" or "unclear law," and requiring public entities to cover their employees' legal costs. The law sets a three-year deadline for filing claims and applies to both state and federal rights violations.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill creates civil remedy for rights violations by officials, directly enhancing police accountability and protecting civil rights - key criminal justice reform indicators.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Civil Rights Courts Policing Tags Civil Liberties

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 · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 1406: Establishes a special prosecutor to investigate and prosecute matters involving the death of an unarmed civilian caused by a law enforcement officer

S 1406 creates a special prosecutor appointed by the governor to investigate and prosecute cases where an unarmed civilian dies due to a police officer's actions. This special prosecutor takes over investigations and prosecutions from local district attorneys in these specific cases, working full-time on them without other duties. The prosecutor must report to the governor and legislature whenever they decline to pursue charges or a grand jury refuses to indict, including explanations and reform recommendations. The position serves a 3-year term with specific removal grounds like misconduct or inefficiency.

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

Sub-Topics Policing

Track

in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 1138: Prohibits interference with the provision of medical assistance to incarcerated individuals

Prohibits any police officer, peace officer or employee of a correctional facility from interfering with the provision of medical assistance to an incarcerated individual.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticePrevents interference with medical care for incarcerated individuals, protecting civil rights and aligning with criminal justice reform in corrections.90% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcarePrevents interference with medical care for incarcerated individuals, protecting patient access to healthcare services within correctional facilities.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Policing

Track

in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 1013: Relates to prohibiting the use of chemical agents by police officers against minors

This bill prohibits police officers from using chemical agents - such as pepper spray, tear gas, or oleoresin capsicum - against any minor under 18 years old in all circumstances. It directly affects minors under 18 and requires all police departments to update their use-of-force policies to ban these chemical agents. The law amends existing policy rules to explicitly forbid such use, applying immediately upon enactment. This is a policy change to restrict specific police tactics targeting children, with no exemptions or exceptions specified.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBans police use of chemical agents against minors, protecting civil rights and enhancing police accountability per criminal justice reform indicators.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Juvenile Justice Policing

Track

in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 608: Expands prison work release program eligibility and participation

This bill expands eligibility for New York's prison work release programs by extending the timeframe for parole eligibility from two to three years before release. It allows incarcerated individuals convicted of homicide or assault to qualify if they prove they were abused by the victim and the abuse contributed to the crime, requiring documentation like hospital records or police reports. The bill excludes those convicted of serious offenses like sex crimes, terrorism, or child sexual abuse from participating. It also requires the commissioner to consult prosecutors and courts before approving exceptions, while maintaining restrictions on those with escape convictions or certain violent histories. This directly affects incarcerated people in New York state facilities seeking work release opportunities.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeExpands prison work release eligibility to promote rehabilitation and reduce recidivism, aligning with criminal justice reform indicators like improved correctional programming.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Policing Probation & Parole Violent Crime

Track

in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 6054: Establishes a statewide law enforcement officer misconduct database

Directs the division of criminal justice services to establish a statewide public database covering every local police department, each county sheriff's office, the division of the state police and every agency that employs a peace officer in this state, which shall compile the names of any police or peace officer who has had their employment terminated due to misconduct.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill creates public database for officer misconduct terminations, directly enhancing police accountability per criminal justice reform indicators.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Law Enforcement Policing

Track