Criminal Justice (Violent Crime)

in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 1463: Abolishes citizens arrests; repealer

This bill eliminates New York State's legal allowance for ordinary citizens to make arrests without police involvement. It specifically repeals sections of the criminal procedure law and penal law that previously permitted private individuals to use physical force (including deadly force in limited cases) to arrest people suspected of committing certain felonies like robbery or murder. The change directly affects citizens who might have attempted to detain someone for a crime, removing their legal authority to do so. It does not impact police arrest powers but restricts this practice to law enforcement only. The bill takes immediate effect upon enactment.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeRepeals citizen arrest provisions, reducing potential misuse of force and enhancing accountability in criminal procedure90% confidence

Sub-Topics Policing Violent Crime

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in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 150: Allows lifetime orders of protection in certain cases

This bill amends New York law to allow courts to issue **lifetime orders of protection** when the respondent is convicted of specific violent felonies, including sexual assault under Penal Law sections 255.25-255.27 or felonies in Penal Law articles 120, 125, 130, 135, or 263 (or attempts to commit them). Previously, such orders had fixed time limits (up to 8 years), but this change adds "lifetime" as a duration option for these high-risk cases. The law directly affects victims of domestic violence or abuse where the perpetrator received one of these felony convictions. It does not apply to lesser offenses or non-felony cases.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeExtends lifetime protection for victims of violent felonies, enhancing victim safety and aligning with criminal justice reform priorities.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Domestic Violence Violent Crime

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in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 6986: Establishes the crimes of assault on a child protective services worker, aggravated assault on a child protective services worker and menacing a child protective services worker

Establishes the crimes of assault on a child protective services worker, aggravated assault on a child protective services worker and menacing a child protective services worker.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill establishes new criminal offenses against assaults on CPS workers, strengthening protections for personnel in child welfare system (a criminal justice component).95% confidence

Sub-Topics Violent Crime

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passed both · New York · Senate Jun 4, 2026

S 3394: Enacts the ceasing repeated and extremely egregious predatory (CREEP) behavior act

This bill creates a new legal framework for anti-stalking orders to protect victims from repeated, severe harassment. It directly affects stalking victims (petitioners) and alleged stalkers (respondents) by establishing specific court procedures for obtaining protective orders. Key provisions require courts to issue orders prohibiting contact (including digital communication), surveillance, remote control of connected devices (like smart home systems), and proximity to victims' homes or workplaces. The law defines "stalking" broadly to include numerous offenses under existing penal codes, such as harassment, assault, and unauthorized sharing of intimate images. These orders can be issued quickly without notice for immediate threats, with final orders requiring a court hearing.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill creates legal framework for anti-stalking protective orders, enhancing victim protection and procedural safeguards in criminal justice system95% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyProhibits digital communication, surveillance, and remote device control (smart home systems) to protect stalking victims, directly enhancing data privacy and digital rights protections.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts Domestic Violence Violent Crime

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passed · New York · Senate May 18, 2026

S 429: Authorizes the state inspector general to receive and investigate complaints of sexual assault in correctional facilities

Authorizes the state inspector general to receive and investigate complaints of sexual assault in correctional facilities and other places operated by the department of corrections and community supervision for the confinement of persons; requires the state inspector general to establish protocol and procedures for such reports and investigations.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeCreates oversight mechanism for sexual assault investigations in prisons, strengthening accountability and protecting inmate rights in correctional facilities.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Probation & Parole Violent Crime

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in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 3450: Makes provisions with respect to sexual assault against a child by a person in a position of trust

Establishes offenses of sexual assault against a child by a person in a position of trust for the subjection of a child to sexual contact by a person in a position of trust; defines "person in a position of trust" as a person charged with the duty or responsibility for the health, education, welfare or supervision of a child; establishes such offenses shall be violent felony offenses.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeClassifies child sexual assault by trusted adults as violent felony, increasing penalties and strengthening accountability in criminal justice.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Violent Crime

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in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 7039: Establishes the class C felony of assault of a patient in a mental health or developmental disability facility

Establishes the class C felony of assault of a patient in a mental health or developmental disability facility, for the intentional causation of physical injury to a patient residing in a facility operated, licensed or certified by the office of mental health or the office for people with developmental disabilities.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeCreates class C felony for assaulting vulnerable patients in facilities, strengthening legal protections and accountability within criminal justice system.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill criminalizes assault on patients in mental health facilities, directly protecting patient safety and rights within healthcare settings per topic description.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Violent Crime

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in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 4573: Includes assault of maintenance employees of the triborough bridge and tunnel authority in the definition of assault in the second degree

This bill amends New York State's penal law to specifically include maintenance employees of the Triborough Bridge and Tunnel Authority in the legal definition of assault in the second degree. It expands the existing protections for transit workers (like train operators and station cleaners) to cover these bridge and tunnel maintenance staff when they are performing their duties. The change means assaulting these workers while they are on the job would now be classified as a second-degree assault under state law, consistent with protections already provided to other transit and public safety personnel. This is a targeted update to the legal definition, not a new penalty or policy.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeExpands assault law to protect bridge/tunnel maintenance workers, strengthening legal protections for essential transit staff under criminal justice framework.92% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentExpands legal protections for bridge/tunnel maintenance workers against assault, directly enhancing workplace safety for laborers in transit roles.95% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationBill enhances transportation safety by expanding assault protections for bridge/tunnel maintenance workers, directly strengthening safety for critical infrastructure staff.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Violent Crime Bridges

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in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 9061: Relates to creating the crime of aggravated harassment of a survivor of domestic violence or sexual assault

This bill creates a new felony offense for harassing someone specifically because the harasser believes the person is a survivor of domestic violence or sexual assault. It directly affects survivors of these crimes by adding a targeted legal protection against harassment that exploits their trauma. The key provision makes it a class E felony (punishable by up to four years in prison) to commit "aggravated harassment" with the belief or perception that the victim is a survivor. The law would take effect November 1, 2025, if passed.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeCreates new felony protection for domestic violence/sexual assault survivors against trauma-exploiting harassment, directly advancing victim protection and civil rights within criminal justice reform.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Domestic Violence Violent Crime

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in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 8159: Authorizes the use of closed-circuit television for vulnerable sexual assault witnesses

Authorizes the use of closed-circuit television for vulnerable sexual assault witnesses; establishes a procedure for determining who qualifies as a vulnerable sexual assault witness.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeAuthorizes closed-circuit TV for vulnerable sexual assault witnesses, protecting victim rights during testimony - a reform supporting victim-centered justice procedures.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Violent Crime

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