Criminal Justice (Drug Policy)

passed both · New York · Senate May 13, 2026

S 1946: Provides for the expungement of syringe convictions

This bill (S 1946) allows individuals convicted of specific syringe possession offenses to have their court records sealed. It directly affects people convicted under Penal Law sections 222.10, 222.15, 222.25, 222.45 (current law) or former section 220.45 (prior to the bill's effective date). The key provision adds these conviction types to the list of offenses eligible for expungement under New York's criminal procedure law. The bill creates a legal mechanism for sealing these specific past records, without changing current possession laws or penalties.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeEnables expungement of minor syringe possession convictions, reducing barriers to reentry and aligning with criminal justice reform goals to reduce recidivism.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts Drug Policy

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in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 2021: Establishes the crime of criminal sale of a controlled substance resulting in death

This bill creates a new class A-1 felony offense for selling controlled substances (from Schedules I-V) that directly causes someone's death. It specifically applies to individuals who violate public health law by selling, giving, or supplying these drugs, resulting in a fatality. The key provision defines this as the most serious felony charge, replacing or adding to existing penalties for drug-related deaths. The law takes effect 30 days after enactment, with necessary rule changes allowed before that date. It does not affect other drug offenses or non-fatal cases.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeCreates new class A-1 felony for drug sales causing death, expanding criminalization and increasing penalties without reform elements.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Drug Policy

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in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 3640: Relates to warning labels on cannabis and criminalizes certain violations of restrictions on the sale of adult use cannabis

Relates to warning labels on cannabis products; includes advertising, deceptively advertising, branding, marketing, packaging, displaying, labelling, offering for ingestion outside of packaging, or administering cannabis products in contravention of a certain section of the cannabis law or rules and regulations in the criminal sale of cannabis in the first degree.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeCriminalizes violations of cannabis sale restrictions, expanding criminalization under cannabis law95% confidence

Sub-Topics Drug Policy

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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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passed · New York · Senate Feb 25, 2026

S 6181: Relates to employment at certain licensees for the purposes of parole conditions

Clarifies that employment at any licensee under the cannabis law satisfies employment requirements for parole, probation or other state supervision unless the terms and conditions of said parole, probation, or state supervision explicitly prohibit such employment.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeClarifies employment at cannabis licensees satisfies parole requirements, reducing barriers to reintegration and aligning with recidivism reduction goals in criminal justice reform.92% confidence

Sub-Topics Drug Policy Probation & Parole

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in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 7141: Establishes the crime of aggravated criminal sale of a controlled substance resulting in serious physical injury

Amends the offense of murder in the second degree to include when a person knowingly distributes fentanyl or any substance containing fentanyl and as a result of such distribution causes the death of another person; establishes the crime of aggravated criminal sale of a controlled substance resulting in serious physical injury.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeBill creates stricter penalties for fentanyl distribution causing death/injury, expanding criminalization and increasing sentencing severity without reform elements.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Drug Policy

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in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 4151: Mandates pre-trial detention of a principal who stands charged with criminal possession of a controlled substance with intent to sell

Mandates pre-trial detention of a principal who stands charged with criminal possession of a controlled substance in the third degree, criminal possession of a controlled substance in the fourth degree, or criminal possession of a controlled substance in the fifth degree.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeMandates pre-trial detention for drug possession charges, reducing defendant rights and increasing pretrial incarceration, opposing reform efforts.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Drug Policy

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in committee · New York · Assembly Mar 18, 2025

A 1843: Relates to authorizing early parole release for incarcerated individuals where substance abuse was a significant contributing factor in the commission of the offense

Relates to authorizing early parole release for incarcerated individuals where substance abuse was a significant contributing factor in the commission of the offense.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeAuthorizes early parole for substance abuse-related offenses, aligning with rehabilitation-focused reform to reduce recidivism and address root causes of crime.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Drug Policy Probation & Parole

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in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 3963: Relates to recovery community centers

This bill establishes a voluntary certification program for recovery community centers that support individuals recovering from substance use disorders. It requires the state commissioner to create evidence-based regulations covering staffing, safety, participant rights, confidentiality, and coordination with other services. Certified centers will be listed on a state website as verified options, and the commissioner can inspect them, impose penalties for noncompliance, and ensure services are Medicaid-reimbursable. The program directly affects recovery centers seeking recognition and the state agency implementing oversight.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeEstablishes recovery centers with evidence-based standards, supporting rehabilitation to reduce recidivism - a key criminal justice reform goal.85% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareEstablishes certification program for substance use recovery centers with evidence-based regulations, enhancing mental health service access and patient rights per bill summary.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Drug Policy Medicaid Substance Abuse

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died · New York · Senate Jan 29, 2026

S 4953: Establishes an intensive addiction and medical services integrated services pilot program

Establishes an intensive addiction and medical services integrated services pilot program to support two three-year demonstration programs that provide intensive addiction and medical services integrated services to individuals who have significant addiction and medical issues.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill establishes addiction treatment pilot program, aligning with criminal justice reform to reduce recidivism through rehabilitation services for high-need individuals.85% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareCreates integrated addiction/medical pilot program, expanding access to treatment for co-occurring conditions under healthcare services.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Drug Policy Substance Abuse

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