Criminal Justice (Drug Policy)

in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 1388: Relates to the criminal sale of a controlled substance to a person less than fourteen years of age

This bill amends New York's penal law to create a new felony offense for selling controlled substances to children under 14. It defines "criminal sale of a controlled substance to a child in the first degree" as selling to a person under 14 (replacing the existing under-17 standard), punishable as a class A-II felony - more severe than the current class B felony for sales to those under 17. The law directly affects adults who sell drugs to minors under 14, raising the penalty level for this specific age group. The bill does not change existing penalties for sales to older minors or other drug offenses.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeBill increases penalties for drug sales to minors under 14, elevating to class A-II felony from class B, expanding criminalization95% confidence

Sub-Topics Drug Policy

Track

failed · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 1041: Relates to arrest, prosecution, sentencing and penalties for offenses involving vehicular assault, manslaughter and homicide and operating a vehicle under the influence of drugs or alcohol

Amends provisions involving the arrest, prosecution, sentencing and penalties for offenses involving vehicular assault, manslaughter and homicide; removes certain barriers to prosecution for operating a vehicle under the influence of drugs or alcohol.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeRemoves barriers to prosecution for DUI offenses, increasing enforcement and penalties, aligning with restrictive criminal justice measures.95% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationBill strengthens DUI penalties to enhance road safety, directly improving vehicle regulation standards and reducing traffic-related harm.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Drug Policy Sentencing Violent Crime

Track

in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 6417: Includes fires caused by the manufacture of a controlled substance within the crime of arson in the first degree

This bill amends New York's penal law to explicitly include fires caused by manufacturing controlled substances (like illegal drugs) within the definition of first-degree arson. It directly affects individuals who manufacture controlled substances and cause fires, whether to buildings, contents, or people, by expanding the circumstances that trigger this severe felony charge. The key change adds that "while manufacturing, attempting to manufacture or endeavoring to manufacture a controlled substance in violation of article two hundred twenty," causing fire or destruction now qualifies as first-degree arson. This creates a specific legal pathway to prosecute drug manufacturing operations that result in fires, without altering the underlying drug laws.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeExpands criminalization by adding drug manufacturing fires to first-degree arson, increasing felony charges and penalties without reform focus.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Drug Policy

Track

in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 2096: Relates to the criminal possession of fentanyl

This bill makes criminal possession of fentanyl a class E felony under New York law. It directly affects individuals who knowingly possess, manufacture, distribute, or use fentanyl or its analogs to enhance other illegal substances. The key provision defines these actions as a specific felony offense, raising the legal consequences for such possession. The bill was referred to the Codes committee on January 15, 2025, and takes immediate effect.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeBill elevates fentanyl possession to a class E felony, expanding criminalization and increasing penalties - directly opposing reform by strengthening punitive measures.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Drug Policy

Track

passed · New York · Assembly Mar 4, 2026

A 1034: Includes masking products within the definition of drug-related paraphernalia

Includes masking products including but not limited to synthetic urine, human urine, a substance used or designed to be added to human urine or a substance used or designed to be added to a chemical test, within the definition of drug-related paraphernalia.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeExpands criminalization by adding masking products to drug paraphernalia definition, increasing penalties for drug test evasion attempts.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Drug Policy

Track

passed · New York · Senate May 29, 2026

S 626: Adds ammunition to the list of prohibited items to purchase or dispose of after certain convictions

This bill adds ammunition to the list of items prohibited from purchase or disposal after certain criminal convictions. It expands existing law that already bans firearm transactions for people barred from firearm possession due to prior convictions or disabilities. Now, individuals prohibited from owning firearms cannot legally buy or give away ammunition. Violating this provision would be classified as a class D felony.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeExpands restrictions on convicted individuals' access to ammunition, increasing criminalization and reducing defendant rights per bill's prohibition on ammunition transactions.92% confidence

Sub-Topics Drug Policy Firearms

Track

in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 6326: Relates to proceedings involving adolescent offenders and the possession or use of weapons

Relates to proceedings involving adolescent offenders and the possession or use of weapons; provides for the access of applicable records; expands the meaning of extraordinary circumstances to include when the defendant is accused of an offense involving the use, possession, or display of a firearm, shotgun, rifle or other deadly weapon.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeExpands 'extraordinary circumstances' to include weapon offenses in juvenile cases, increasing severity of proceedings and aligning with criminalization expansion indicators.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Drug Policy Firearms Juvenile Justice

Track

in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 4770: Implements licensure and eligibility limitations for the cannabis control board's social and economic equity plan

Implements licensure and eligibility limitations for the cannabis control board's social and economic equity plan regarding persons convicted of certain felonies.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeBill restricts cannabis business licensing for felony convicts, opposing equity reform that aims to reduce barriers for criminal justice system participants.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Drug Policy

Track

failed · New York · Assembly Apr 21, 2026

A 1527: Relates to mandatory dispositions and the commission of a felony offense while in possession of a firearm

Relates to mandatory dispositions and the commission of a felony offense while in possession of a firearm; provides an additional five years imprisonment.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeMandates 5-year sentence increase for felony with firearm, increasing mandatory sentencing which opposes reform efforts.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Drug Policy Firearms Sentencing

Track

in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 6325: Relates to proceedings involving adolescent offenders and the possession or use of weapons

Relates to proceedings involving adolescent offenders and the possession or use of weapons; provides for the access of applicable records; expands the meaning of extraordinary circumstances to include when the defendant is accused of an offense involving the use, possession, or display of a firearm, shotgun, rifle or other deadly weapon.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeExpands criminalization of weapon offenses by adolescent offenders, increasing court proceedings over diversion programs per expanded 'extraordinary circumstances' definition.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Drug Policy Firearms Juvenile Justice

Track