Criminal Justice

passed both · New York · Senate May 13, 2026

S 1946: Provides for the expungement of syringe convictions

This bill (S 1946) allows individuals convicted of specific syringe possession offenses to have their court records sealed. It directly affects people convicted under Penal Law sections 222.10, 222.15, 222.25, 222.45 (current law) or former section 220.45 (prior to the bill's effective date). The key provision adds these conviction types to the list of offenses eligible for expungement under New York's criminal procedure law. The bill creates a legal mechanism for sealing these specific past records, without changing current possession laws or penalties.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeEnables expungement of minor syringe possession convictions, reducing barriers to reentry and aligning with criminal justice reform goals to reduce recidivism.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts Drug Policy

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in committee · New York · Senate May 22, 2026

S 1822: Prohibits speech-based defenses to actions brought against an individual for the unlawful dissemination or publication of an intimate image

This bill prohibits using free speech as a defense in legal cases involving the unauthorized sharing of intimate images. It directly affects individuals who unlawfully post or distribute private images without consent, whether in criminal cases under the Penal Law or civil cases under the Civil Rights Law. The key mechanism adds new sections to both laws, explicitly stating that free speech protections cannot be raised to defend such actions. The bill removes a potential legal argument for offenders, making it clearer that sharing intimate images without permission is punishable regardless of speech claims.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeRemoves free speech defense for non-consensual image sharing, strengthening victim protections under criminal justice laws.95% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyBill strengthens data privacy by prohibiting free speech defenses in non-consensual intimate image sharing cases, directly protecting digital privacy rights.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Civil Rights

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in committee · New York · Senate Jan 28, 2025

S 797: Relates to amending provisions requiring the termination of connected vehicle services upon the request of a domestic violence victim

Amends certain provisions requiring the termination of connected vehicle services upon the request of a domestic violence victim; requires the provider of the connected vehicle services to terminate such services within two days of receiving a request; directs the office for the prevention of domestic violence to make information available on their website; defines terms.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill ensures rapid termination of vehicle services for domestic violence victims, enhancing victim safety and aligning with criminal justice reform principles protecting civil rights.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Domestic Violence

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in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 5538: Enhances the assisted outpatient treatment program and eliminates the expiration and repeal of Kendra's Law

This bill strengthens New York's Kendra's Law (assisted outpatient treatment program) by making it permanent and adding specific oversight requirements. It requires program coordinators to monitor treatment compliance, ensures timely service delivery, and mandates an educational pamphlet explaining the petition process in plain language. The law directly affects individuals court-ordered into outpatient treatment for serious mental illness, community mental health providers, and court staff handling petitions. Key changes include eliminating the program's automatic expiration and clarifying duties for directors of community services to investigate reports and coordinate care.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill strengthens Kendra's Law (assisted outpatient treatment) to improve mental health care for court-ordered individuals, reducing recidivism and supporting rehabilitation within criminal justice reform.90% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill strengthens Kendra's Law (mental health assisted outpatient treatment program) by making it permanent, adding oversight, and ensuring timely service delivery, directly supporting mental health services under healthcare.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts Mental Health Substance Abuse

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in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 4602: Relates to the right of defendants in misdemeanor or felony cases to have such matter appear before a judge or justice admitted to practice law in New York

Relates to the right of defendants in misdemeanor or felony cases to have such matter appear before a judge or justice admitted to practice law in New York; creates an automatic right to have a case reassigned to an attorney judge.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill ensures defendants appear before licensed attorney judges, protecting rights and enhancing court fairness in criminal proceedings.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Judges

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in committee · New York · Assembly Feb 18, 2026

A 9112: Prohibits the use of credit history in the tenant screening process for applicants who are survivors of domestic violence

Provides that a landlord shall not request, obtain, or consider a consumer credit report or credit history for a prospective tenant who provides a written self-attestation that they are a victim of domestic violence, and shall not deny an application for rental housing on the basis of credit history when the applicant is a victim of domestic violence.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeProtects domestic violence survivors from housing discrimination, aligning with criminal justice reform goals of victim support and reducing barriers to stability.85% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingPrevents housing denial based on credit history for domestic violence survivors and subsidy recipients, strengthening tenant protections and increasing housing access for vulnerable groups.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Domestic Violence Landlords Renters Tenant Rights

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in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 4522: Prohibits members of the state police, police officers, and peace officers from intentionally covering their badges

This bill requires all sworn state police officers, local police officers, and peace officers to keep their badges visibly displayed while performing official duties. It prohibits intentionally covering badges that would obscure identification and imposes a $500 fine for each violation. Citizens can report suspected violations by calling a new phone number created and posted online by the relevant state divisions. The law applies directly to sworn law enforcement personnel during official activities and aims to increase transparency during public interactions.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeRequires visible badge display for officer identification, enhancing transparency and accountability in law enforcement interactions.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Policing

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passed · New York · Senate Mar 30, 2026

S 1015: Prohibits an individual convicted of a crime involving elder abuse from inheriting from the elder's estate as a distributee

This bill, S 1015, prohibits an individual convicted of a crime involving elder abuse from inheriting from the estate of the vulnerable elderly person they abused. It defines a "vulnerable elderly person" as someone 60 or older with age-related conditions making them unable to care for themselves, and a "caregiver" as someone responsible for their care. The bill outlines various forms of "elder abuse," including physical, sexual, emotional abuse, neglect, and financial exploitation. If a caregiver is convicted of such a crime, they are disqualified from receiving any distributive share of the victim's estate.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill enhances criminal accountability by denying inheritance to elder abusers, strengthening consequences for crimes against vulnerable populations.90% confidence

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in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 4032: Relates to the duty to report incidents in correctional facilities

Establishes an explicit duty to report incidents in correctional facilities, setting mandatory reporters, content of required reports and penalties for failure to report an incident.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeMandates incident reporting in prisons with penalties, enhancing oversight and accountability in corrections - key criminal justice reform element.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections

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in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 628: Relates to adding transmission of unwanted lewd or intimate images to the definition of aggravated harassment in the second degree

This bill would expand New York's definition of "aggravated harassment in the second degree" to include sending unwanted intimate photos or videos with the intent to harass, annoy, threaten, or alarm someone, and without a legitimate communication purpose. It directly affects individuals who transmit such images without consent for malicious reasons. The key provision requires both the harmful intent and the absence of a valid reason for the communication. If enacted, this would make such transmissions a specific criminal offense under the state's harassment laws.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeExpands criminal definition to protect victims from non-consensual intimate image sharing, advancing digital privacy protections within criminal justice reform.90% confidence

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