Criminal Justice (Policing)

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

Track

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

Track

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 · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 108: Establishes the crime of failure to retreat

Establishes the crime of failure to retreat when a person who is within twenty-five feet of a police officer or peace officer engaged in the performance of their duties and the police officer or peace officer orders such person to halt or retreat and the person fails to do so immediately; requires the posting of bail.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeCreates new crime for non-compliance with police orders, expanding criminalization and restricting defendant rights through mandatory bail requirements.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Policing

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