Criminal Justice

in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 7561: Enacts the "Wandering Officers Act"

Enacts the "Wandering Officers Act" prohibiting provisional or permanent appointment of a person as a police officer if such person has previously been fired as a police officer from any jurisdiction within or without the state, if such person left a position as a police officer either while under an investigation or while being the subject of a disciplinary action which could result in termination from any jurisdiction within or without the state, or if such person resigned while criminal charges were pending stemming from actions committed while on duty as a police officer in any jurisdiction within or without the state.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill bars officers with prior disciplinary issues from appointment, enhancing police accountability and reducing risk of misconduct.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Policing

Track

in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 221: Relates to criminal possession and criminal sale of a controlled substance

This bill amends New York's penal law to set a 15-gram threshold for stimulants. It specifies that possessing 15 grams or more of a stimulant, or selling 15 grams or more of a stimulant, will be classified as a class A-I felony. These changes directly affect individuals who possess or sell stimulant drugs (like cocaine or methamphetamine) in quantities meeting or exceeding this weight. The bill does not alter existing thresholds for narcotics or methadone.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeIncreases penalties for stimulant possession/sale above 15g, classifying as class A-I felony, expanding criminalization and harsher sentencing.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Drug Policy

Track

in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 6966: Relates to certain required disclosures upon the release of a juvenile or adolescent offender from an office of children and family services facility

Relates to the required disclosure upon the release of a juvenile or adolescent offender from the custody of the office of children and family services of certain records that are necessary to ascertain the nature of such offender's conviction and would be beneficial in identifying and mitigating any risk that such offender could pose if released.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeRequires disclosures to assess juvenile offender risks upon release, aiding rehabilitation and reducing recidivism per bill's purpose to 'identify and mitigate risk'.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Juvenile Justice

Track

in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 5871: Limits who may bring a private right of action for identifying a victim of a sex offense; only brought by the victim where the information has not otherwise been publicly disclosed

Limits who may bring a private right of action for identifying a victim of a sex offense; only brought by the victim where the information has not otherwise been publicly disclosed.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill restricts private lawsuits identifying sex offense victims to the victim only, protecting privacy and aligning with victim rights in criminal justice reform.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Victims' Rights

Track

in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 22: Enacts the "child survivor privacy act"

Enacts the "child survivor privacy act"; provides protections for child victims and child witnesses; restricts information to the public regarding a child witness or child victim's identity or proceeding; defines child witness; provides that whenever practical, the same prosecutor, advocate, and/or social worker shall handle all aspects of a case involving an alleged child victim.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeProtects child victims' privacy and ensures consistent case handling, advancing victim rights in criminal proceedings90% confidence

Sub-Topics Victims' Rights

Track

in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 7122: Relates to the powers and duties of district attorneys

Empowers district attorneys to review and release at their discretion, all footage from body worn cameras utilized by law enforcement agencies within the county of such district attorney.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeEmpowers DAs to release body cam footage, enhancing police transparency and accountability - key criminal justice reform indicators.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Policing

Track

failed · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 5783: Enacts "Paula's law"

Provides that being eighteen years old or more, while in the course of committing rape in the first, second or third degree, criminal sexual act in the first, second or third degree, sexual abuse in the first degree, aggravated sexual abuse in the first, second, third or fourth degree, or incest in the first, second or third degree, against a person less than eighteen years old, such defendant intentionally causes the death of such person.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeBill increases penalties for intentional homicide during specified sexual offenses against minors, expanding criminalization and mandatory sentencing.85% confidence

Track

in committee · New York · Senate Feb 9, 2026

S 2235: Prohibits and regulates the discovery and disclosure of immigration status; repealer

Prohibits and regulates the discovery and disclosure of immigration status; prohibits police officers, peace officers, school resource officers, probation agencies, state entities, state employees, and municipal corporations from questioning individuals regarding their citizenship or immigration status; regulates the disclosure of information relating to immigration status; prohibits an educational agency, higher education agency, school employee, school safety personnel, or third-party contractor from collecting information about a person's citizenship, immigration status, nationality, or country of origin, unless required by law or necessary to administer a public program or benefit sought by such person.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeRestricts law enforcement questioning on immigration status, protecting civil rights and reducing potential abuse, aligning with criminal justice reform indicators.85% confidence ✓ ImmigrationSupports ImmigrationProhibits state entities from questioning immigration status, limiting cooperation with federal enforcement. Protects immigrant privacy and aligns with sanctuary policies.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Policing Probation & Parole Driver Licenses & IDs Enforcement Sanctuary Policies

Track

in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 5411: Creates the crimes of dangerous driving in the fifth, fourth, third, second and first degrees

Creates the crimes of dangerous driving in the fifth, fourth, third, second and first degrees; imposes criminal liability on drivers who continue to operate motor vehicles in violation of the vehicle and traffic law and cause injury as a result.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeExpands criminalization by creating new degrees of dangerous driving crimes and imposing liability for injury-causing violations, increasing penalties without reform indicators.95% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationCreates criminal liability for dangerous driving causing injury, directly enhancing transportation safety standards through stricter enforcement.95% confidence

Track

in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 6458: Creates a certified recovery residences task force

Creates a certified recovery residences task force to establish best practice guidelines for certified recovery living residences that illustrate the most appropriate and effective environment for persons recovering from a chemical dependency.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeCreates task force to establish recovery residence guidelines, promoting rehabilitation programs to reduce recidivism - aligns with criminal justice reform support.85% confidence

Track