Criminal Justice

passed both · New York · Assembly Jun 3, 2026

A 8939: Relates to penalties for a lodging facility that fails to comply with certain requirements for providing information concerning services for human trafficking victims

Provides that a lodging facility that fails to comply with certain requirements for providing information concerning services for human trafficking victims shall be liable for a civil penalty of five hundred dollars for a first offense and one thousand dollars for each subsequent offense; provides for concurrent enforcement by the director or commissioner of a municipal consumer affairs office or by the town attorney, city corporation counsel, or other lawful designee of a municipality.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeRequires lodging facilities to provide trafficking victim services info, aiding victim support and aligning with criminal justice reform goals.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Human Trafficking

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in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 5077: Relates to the definition of wiretapping

This bill changes the legal definition of wiretapping in New York's penal law to require consent from **both** people in a phone or telegraph conversation before recording is permitted. It applies to anyone recording communications (e.g., law enforcement, private individuals, or businesses), making it illegal to record without agreement from both the sender and receiver. The law explicitly excludes normal telephone operations by service providers from being considered wiretapping. This update aligns with a "two-party consent" standard for recording communications.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeRequires dual consent for recording, protecting civil rights in law enforcement surveillance practices per penal law update.90% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyRequires dual consent for recording communications, strengthening data privacy protections under New York's penal law.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Law Enforcement

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in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 7208: Imposes limitations on the use of drones within the state

This bill restricts most drone surveillance by government entities in New York State. It prohibits law enforcement and state/local agencies from using drones to gather evidence without a search warrant, except in emergencies involving imminent danger to life. The law specifically bans drone monitoring inside homes, places of worship, or private property where people expect privacy. Exceptions include border patrols, counter-terrorism operations based on credible intelligence, and recreational drone use by individuals, with violations punishable as misdemeanors or felonies and inadmissible evidence rules.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill restricts warrantless drone surveillance by law enforcement, requiring warrants for evidence gathering and banning monitoring in private spaces, thus protecting civil rights and enhancing police accountability in criminal justice.90% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyRestricts government drone surveillance without warrant, protecting privacy in homes/private spaces, directly aligning with data privacy safeguards in technology policy.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Emerging Technology

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in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 3491: Relates to aggravated cruelty to animals in the presence of a child

Relates to aggravated cruelty to animals in the presence of a child; increases the potential term of imprisonment from two to four years when such crime is committed in the presence of a child; defines presence of a child.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeIncreases sentencing for animal cruelty involving children, aligning with stricter penalties (OPPOSE indicator: increases mandatory sentences).95% confidence

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in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 6445: Relates to limiting the use of a victim's DNA collected from sexual offense evidence kits

Prohibits the use of a victim's DNA collected from sexual offense evidence kits from being added to the state DNA identification index or other databases or being used in certain actions.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeProhibits victim DNA from being added to state databases, protecting civil rights (victim privacy) and aligning with criminal justice reform indicators.92% confidence

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died · New York · Senate Mar 5, 2026

S 5041: Relates to defining a victim of a sexual offense

This bill expands the legal definition of "victim of a sexual offense" to include individuals who are victims of the unlawful dissemination or publication of intimate images. It directly affects people whose private images are shared without consent, ensuring they are covered under existing protections for sexual offense victims. The key change amends New York's Executive Law to add this specific scenario to the definition, aligning it with related penal law provisions. This update provides a clearer legal framework for supporting victims of non-consensual image sharing.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeExpands victim definition to include non-consensual image sharing, strengthening protections under criminal justice laws for victims of sexual offenses.90% confidence

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failed · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 5839: Relates to aggravated obstructing emergency medical services

Establishes the crime of aggravated obstructing emergency medical services for conduct which obstructs the efforts of certain emergency services, personnel or systems while obstructing traffic or posing a risk of serious physical injury; permits forfeiture.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeBill establishes new criminal offense for obstructing emergency services, expanding criminalization without reform elements or accountability measures.85% confidence

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in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 7921: Relates to the crime of computer tampering in the third degree

Adds that a person is guilty of computer tampering in the third degree when they intentionally enter or alter in any manner or destroy computer material indicating that a person did or did not receive a vaccination that is reported to the New York state immunization information system or the New York city immunization registry.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeExpands criminalization by creating new offense for tampering with vaccination data in immunization systems95% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyBill criminalizes tampering with vaccination records in immunization systems, enhancing cybersecurity for health data integrity by protecting critical information systems from unauthorized alteration.95% confidence

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in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 6389: Extends the benefits of the variable supplements fund to all New York city police officers, firefighters, housing police, transit police, correction officers and registered domestic partners

Extends the benefits of the variable supplements fund to all New York city police officers, firefighters, housing police, transit police, correction officers and registered domestic partners.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeExtends variable supplements fund to police, correction officers, and related personnel, directly funding critical criminal justice workforce roles.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentExtends variable supplements fund benefits to public safety workers and their domestic partners, expanding compensation and benefits for covered employees.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Policing

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in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 7049: Establishes "Jeremiah's Law"

This bill creates a new class E felony offense for falsely reporting that a child under 13 was involved in an incident. It specifically applies when someone falsely files a report under a defined third-degree incident category (section 240.50) concerning a minor. The law directly affects individuals who make such false reports, imposing felony penalties instead of lesser offenses. The key provision defines the specific scenario (false report about a child under 13) and elevates the penalty to a felony. The law takes effect November 1 following its enactment.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeBill elevates false child incident reporting to felony level, expanding criminalization and increasing penalties. This aligns with OPPOSE indicators of expanding criminalization.95% confidence

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