Criminal Justice (Policing)

died · New York · Senate Jun 5, 2026

S 5138: Abolishes citizens arrests; repealer

S 5138 abolishes New York State's legal allowance for citizens to make arrests, removing a long-standing provision that permitted ordinary people to detain others under specific circumstances. The bill repeals key sections of the criminal procedure law and penal law that previously authorized citizens to use physical force to arrest individuals suspected of committing certain serious crimes (like murder or robbery) while they were fleeing. This change directly affects all New Yorkers who previously could legally make citizen arrests, replacing that authority with exclusive police powers for arrests. The bill does not alter police procedures or create new offenses, but removes a specific legal tool available to private individuals. It is currently pending in the Assembly after passing the Senate.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeRemoves citizens' arrest power to prevent potential civil rights violations during detentions, aligning with criminal justice reform protecting individual rights.92% confidence

Sub-Topics Policing Violent Crime

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in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 5815: Requires certain departmental security staff who interact with the incarcerated population to wear a body camera

Requires departmental security staff below the rank of captain who interact with the incarcerated population to wear a body camera while acting in the performance of their duties.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeMandates body cameras for correctional security staff to enhance accountability, aligning with criminal justice reform goals of transparency and oversight.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Policing

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in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 1095: Relates to creating a written policy on the use of sustained auditory dispersal tools

This bill requires police departments to create written policies banning the use of sustained auditory dispersal tools, such as long-range acoustic devices or sonic weapons that emit loud, sustained sounds (over 90 decibels) likely to cause hearing damage. It defines these prohibited tools as devices emitting sustained tones or non-verbal sounds at dangerous decibel levels, while excluding standard verbal communication devices used properly under 90 decibels. Violations allow affected individuals to sue for $1,000 per incident or actual damages, plus punitive damages based on factors like decibel levels and medical harm. The policy applies directly to all police agencies and their officers in the state.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBans police use of sonic weapons causing hearing damage, enhancing officer accountability and protecting civil rights under criminal justice reform.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Policing

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in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 5564: Grants the attorney general jurisdiction to investigate and prosecute police misconduct

Authorizes the attorney general to investigate and prosecute the alleged commission of any criminal offense or offenses committed by police officers in connection with the performance of their regular duties.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill authorizes AG to investigate/prosecute police misconduct, directly enhancing law enforcement accountability per criminal justice reform indicators.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Policing

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in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 3099: Relates to an order upon termination of criminal action in favor of the accused

This bill automatically seals certain criminal records after specific timeframes if no prosecution occurs. It applies to arrests (after January 1, 2027) without docket numbers or cases (after January 1, 2027) with no action for a year. The Division of Criminal Justice Services must notify relevant agencies (prosecutors, courts, police) after 6 months for arrests or 2 years for cases, then seal records 60 days later if no prosecution updates are received. Sealed records become inaccessible to all entities, protecting individuals from having unresolved arrests or cases affecting their records. The law takes effect January 1, 2027.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeAutomatically seals records for unprosecuted cases, reducing collateral consequences and promoting criminal justice reform by limiting long-term impacts of unfounded arrests.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts Policing

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in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 513: Establishes the crime of doxing a police officer, peace officer, or state officer

Establishes the crime of doxing a police officer, peace officer, or state officer when a person knowingly makes restricted personal information about a police officer, peace officer, state officer, or a member of the immediate family of such officer, publicly available with the intent to threaten, intimidate, or incite the commission of a crime of violence against the police officer, peace officer, state officer, or a member of the immediate family of such officer; or with the intent and knowledge that the restricted personal information will be used to threaten, intimidate, or facilitate the commission of a crime of violence against the police officer, peace officer, state officer, or a member of the immediate family of such officer; requires the posting of bail.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill creates new crime to protect law enforcement officers from doxing, strengthening officer safety within criminal justice system.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Policing

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in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 1350: Prohibits law enforcement officers from using bias-based profiling

Prohibits police officers from using bias-based profiling; requires that a procedure be established for the taking and review of complaints against police officers for bias-based profiling; allows an action for injunctive relief and/or damages to be brought against a law enforcement agency, any agent of a law enforcement agency and the supervisor of an agent.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill prohibits bias-based profiling by police, requiring complaint procedures and legal remedies, enhancing accountability and protecting civil rights in law enforcement.90% confidence ✓ ImmigrationSupports ImmigrationProhibits bias-based profiling by police, protecting immigrants from discriminatory enforcement practices common in immigration contexts.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Civil Rights Policing

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in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 3717: Establishes the class E felony of official interference with transportation

This bill creates a new class E felony offense for public servants who intentionally disrupt transportation systems. It specifically targets actions like unauthorized use of official powers or willful failure to perform duties that interfere with travel on roads, highways, bridges, railways, waterways, or airways. Public servants, including police or transit workers, could face felony charges if they knowingly cause delays or block movement. The law defines two clear scenarios for the offense and sets a specific criminal penalty.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill creates felony for public servants disrupting transportation, enhancing accountability for law enforcement misconduct, aligning with SUPPORT indicators.80% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationBill creates felony for disrupting transportation systems (roads, railways, etc.), protecting infrastructure from intentional interference, aligning with 'protect' indicator.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Policing

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failed · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 4754: Provides judges more discretion regarding securing orders and limiting the lengths of certain orders and increases the lengths of certain prison sentences; repealer

Provides judges more discretion regarding securing orders and limiting the lengths of certain orders; increases the lengths of certain prison sentences; repeals certain provisions relating to use of force by law enforcement; repeals certain provisions relating to access to premises for discovery by the defendant and motions to vacate judgments.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeIncreases prison sentences, repeals defendant rights (discovery access) and use-of-force provisions, opposing reform and reducing accountability.92% confidence

Sub-Topics Policing

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in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 425: Limits the transport of an arrested, detained or apprehended person in an unmarked police vehicle or concealed identity police vehicle

Prohibits the transport of a person in an unmarked police vehicle or concealed identity police vehicle after being arrested, detained or apprehended by a police officer or peace officer who is not wearing such officer's uniform unless an officer in uniform is present for the duration of the transport; prohibits stops and searches by a police officer or peace officer who is not wearing such officer's uniform using an unmarked police vehicle or a concealed identity police vehicle unless an officer in uniform is present for the duration of the stop and search.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeRequires uniformed officers during transport, enhancing police accountability and transparency in law enforcement procedures.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Policing

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