Criminal Justice

in committee · New York · Senate Jun 10, 2025

S 8198: Relates to requiring certain records checks in child custody proceedings; repealer

This bill (S 8198) requires New York courts to check specific records before making custody decisions in child custody cases involving orders of protection. Courts must review sex offender registry data, protection order records, related court decisions, and warrants. The bill modifies Family Court Act section 842 to mandate these checks and repeals an outdated section of the same law. It directly affects family courts, parents involved in custody disputes with protection orders, and children in those cases. The law aims to ensure custody decisions consider relevant safety information during protection order proceedings.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeMandates criminal records checks (sex offender registry, protection orders) in custody cases to prevent harm, aligning with criminal justice reform by enhancing safety through informed judicial decisions.92% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts

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in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 8485: Relates to criminal impersonation in the first degree

This bill (S 8485) expands New York's criminal impersonation law to specifically include impersonating a firefighter. It makes it a class E felony to pretend to be a firefighter (or wear their uniform without authorization) while obstructing emergency personnel during life-threatening situations like fires, explosions, or toxic gas incidents. The law directly affects individuals who falsely pose as firefighters to interfere with emergency responses. This amendment clarifies that such impersonation during critical emergencies will be prosecuted under the same felony charge as impersonating police or federal officers.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeExpands criminal penalties for impersonating firefighters during emergencies to protect emergency personnel, strengthening public safety enforcement.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Policing

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in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 3241: Relates to the justified use of physical force

Relates to the justified use of physical force; removes requirement that a person facing an imminent physical threat must retreat; provides immunity from civil and criminal liability.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeRemoves duty to retreat for self-defense, providing immunity. Protects civil right to self-defense, aligning with criminal justice reform that safeguards individual rights.90% confidence

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in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 1808: Requires employers to provide up to ten additional days of unpaid leave for absences due to domestic violence, a family offense, sexual offense, stalking or human trafficking

Requires employers to provide up to ten additional days of unpaid leave for absences when the employee or employee's family member has been the victim of domestic violence, a family offense, sexual offense, stalking or human trafficking upon the employee's request for reasons related to such offense or offenses.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeProvides victim leave, aligns with criminal justice reform by supporting survivors' access to justice and reducing barriers to reporting85% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentProvides additional unpaid leave for workers facing domestic violence and related issues, protecting workers' rights under Labor & Employment.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Domestic Violence Human Trafficking Paid Leave

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vetoed · New York · Assembly Dec 19, 2025

A 3516: Relates to enacting the "keep police radio public act"

Enacts the "keep police radio public act"; ensures that, except for sensitive information, all radio communications are accessible to emergency services organizations and professional journalists.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill mandates public access to police radio comms (except sensitive info), enhancing transparency and accountability in law enforcement, aligning with criminal justice reform indicators.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Policing

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passed · New York · Assembly May 13, 2026

A 1719: Prohibits charging a fee to obtain a certified copy or certified transcript of birth in certain situations

Prohibits charging a fee to obtain a certified copy or certified transcript of birth when the department of corrections and community supervision or a local correctional facility requests such for an individual under community supervision in connection with such individual's ongoing supervision in the community.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeRemoves financial barriers for community supervision compliance, aiding reintegration and reducing recidivism risk per criminal justice reform indicators.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Probation & Parole

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in committee · New York · Assembly Sep 8, 2025

A 3836: Relates to the completion of training requirements for sheriffs and undersheriffs

Relates to the completion of training requirements for sheriffs and undersheriffs; directs the municipal police training council to promulgate rules and regulations relating to qualification for municipal police forces for persons who were previously sworn members of the state police and to provide certificates to such persons who meet such qualifications.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeRequires training standards for sheriffs, enhancing law enforcement professionalism and accountability.80% confidence

Sub-Topics Law Enforcement Policing

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in committee · New York · Senate May 21, 2026

S 2446: Establishes a wound care kit and xylazine test strip distribution

Establishes a wound care kit and xylazine test strip distribution program to supply wound care kits designed for the treatment of injection-related wounds and skin and soft tissue infections, and xylazine test strips, to individuals with a substance use disorder or who are otherwise at risk of drug use, free of charge; prohibits facilities from collecting personally identifying information on such individuals; prohibits police from targeting individuals receiving wound care kits or xylazine test strips under such program.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticePromotes harm reduction for substance use, reduces criminalization by prohibiting police targeting of recipients, aligns with reform goals of diverting from punitive measures.85% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill provides free wound care kits and xylazine test strips for substance use disorder patients, directly improving access to treatment for injection-related wounds and infections, aligning with healthcare access and public health support.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Policing Substance Abuse

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in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 5106: Requires certain SUNY and CUNY schools to establish substance use recovery housing programs

Requires SUNY and CUNY schools with at least twenty-five percent of its undergraduate students living on campus to establish substance use recovery housing programs which shall include on-site counseling, mentoring, and peer support.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeRequires substance use recovery housing with counseling/peer support, promoting rehabilitation to reduce recidivism - core criminal justice reform element.90% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationMandates recovery housing with counseling at SUNY/CUNY, supporting student well-being and access to higher education through expanded support services.85% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates substance use recovery housing with on-site counseling/peer support, directly expanding mental health services access for students at SUNY/CUNY schools.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Higher Education Substance Abuse

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in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 7617: Relates to the enactment of the Safer Consumption Services Act

Bill S 7617, known as the "Safer Consumption Services Act," allows the Department of Health to approve entities to establish overdose prevention center programs. These programs provide hygienic spaces for individuals to consume preobtained drugs, staffed by healthcare professionals or trained personnel. They offer sterile supplies, overdose prevention education, administer first aid, and provide referrals to substance use disorder treatment and other services. The bill grants immunity from criminal, civil, or administrative penalties to participants, program staff, and property owners solely for their good faith involvement in an approved program.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill establishes overdose prevention centers providing treatment referrals and healthcare instead of criminalization, aligning with harm reduction and criminal justice reform indicators.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill establishes healthcare-provided overdose prevention centers with treatment referrals, directly expanding public health services and substance use disorder care access.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Drug Policy Substance Abuse

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