Criminal Justice

in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 5094: Authorizes the state board of parole to require a violent felony offender to serve their maximum term, if release would pose an imminent threat to society

Authorizes the state board of parole to require a violent felony offender to serve their maximum term, if, by clear and convincing evidence, release would pose an imminent threat to society; authorizes the withholding of good behavior allowances of violent felony offenders by the state board of parole upon such a finding.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeBill mandates maximum terms for violent offenders via parole board discretion, restricting early release and withholding good behavior allowances - directly increasing mandatory sentencing and limiting parole access.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Probation & Parole

Track

in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 412: Relates to criminal impersonation in the first degree

This bill (A 412) amends New York's penal law to add two new scenarios to the definition of criminal impersonation in the first degree. It specifically targets individuals pretending to be utility company employees (e.g., for maintenance or billing) or delivery personnel (e.g., for food, packages, or beverages) while on another person's property. The law prohibits falsely claiming authority by wearing uniforms, badges, or using other insignia without permission from the actual company. This makes such impersonation a class E felony, directly affecting those who deceive others for access to private property or to commit crimes.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeBill expands criminalization by adding impersonation scenarios for utility/delivery personnel, increasing punishable offenses under penal law.90% confidence

Track

in committee · New York · Senate Jan 10, 2025

S 18: Relates to authorizing bail and pre-trial detention for arson felonies

This bill (S 18, "Billy's Law") amends New York's criminal procedure law to require judges to consider bail or pre-trial detention for individuals charged with specific arson felonies. It directly affects people facing charges for arson in the fourth degree (penal law §150.05) or arson in the third degree (penal law §150.10) during pre-trial proceedings. The key provision adds these arson offenses to existing categories where judges may deny release - such as for certain violent crimes or firearm charges - without requiring the defendant to prove they won't flee. Judges must still assess if the defendant poses a risk, but the bill makes arson felonies automatically subject to these detention considerations. The law takes effect 90 days after enactment.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeRequires pre-trial detention consideration for arson offenses, restricting defendant bail rights and increasing pre-trial detention likelihood.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Firearms

Track

in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 4220: Prohibits medical parole for persons convicted of an act of terrorism

This bill amends New York's medical parole law to explicitly prohibit incarcerated individuals convicted of "an act of terrorism" (as defined in Penal Law § 490.05) from qualifying for medical parole. It directly affects people serving sentences for terrorism convictions, barring them from eligibility regardless of their medical condition or sentence length. The law adds terrorism to the list of offenses that disqualify individuals from medical parole, which previously excluded only certain violent crimes like first-degree murder. This change does not alter the medical parole process for other offenses but specifically removes terrorism convictions from consideration. The bill focuses solely on eligibility criteria, not on modifying medical evaluation standards or release conditions.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeBill explicitly blocks medical parole eligibility for terrorism convicts, restricting defendant rights and increasing sentence length per Penal Law § 490.05.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Probation & Parole

Track

in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 6843: Relates to the possession and sale of methamphetamine

This bill aligns penalties for methamphetamine possession and sale with those for heroin and cocaine by adjusting weight thresholds in New York's penal law. It lowers the minimum amounts triggering higher penalties - for example, setting possession at 100 milligrams (previously higher) and sales at 1 gram, matching current heroin/cocaine thresholds. The law directly affects individuals caught with methamphetamine in quantities meeting these new weight limits. Key provisions revise multiple sections of the penal code to standardize these weight-based penalties across controlled substances. The changes apply only to offenses committed on or after the effective date (November 1, 2025).

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeBill lowers methamphetamine possession/sale thresholds to match heroin/cocaine penalties, increasing severity for smaller amounts. Expands criminalization and opposes reform by raising sentencing thresholds.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Drug Policy

Track

in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 2103: Relates to aggravated harassment of a police officer

Establishes the crime of aggravated harassment of a police officer where a person causes such police officer to come into contact with blood, seminal fluid, urine, feces, or the contents of a toilet bowl, by throwing, tossing or expelling such fluid or material.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeBill creates new criminal offense (aggravated harassment of police) by expanding criminalization to include bodily fluid contact, increasing penalties and aligning with 'expands criminalization' (oppose indicator).95% confidence

Sub-Topics Policing

Track

in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 5853: Relates to criminal possession of a flamethrower

This bill makes it a felony to possess a flamethrower, defined as a device projecting burning fuel at least three feet. It specifically excludes inoperable displays, historical flamethrowers (constructed before 1966 with at least five key functional parts), and devices used for agriculture or construction. The law also does not apply to flamethrowers owned before the law takes effect or to modifying components like fuel cells. It directly affects individuals owning modern flamethrowers not covered by the exemptions, while protecting collectors of historical models and certain professional uses.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeBill criminalizes flamethrower possession, expanding criminalization scope without reform elements or protections.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Drug Policy Firearms

Track

in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 1319: Includes assault of a vehicle license examiner to assault in the second degree

This bill amends New York's penal law to classify assaulting a Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) employee while they're performing their official duties as second-degree assault. It specifically adds this scenario to the existing definition of second-degree assault, making it a more serious criminal charge. The change directly affects individuals who physically harm DMV examiners during work-related tasks, elevating the offense from a lesser charge to second-degree assault.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeBill expands criminalization by elevating assault on DMV employees to second-degree assault, increasing severity of punishment without reform indicators.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Violent Crime

Track

in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 2159: Increases the classification of misdemeanor hate crime offenses to a felony

Increases the sentencing classification of misdemeanor hate crime offenses or of an attempt or conspiracy to commit a specified offense that is a misdemeanor to a class E felony.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeBill elevates misdemeanor hate crime penalties to felony, increasing mandatory sentencing severity per 'increases mandatory sentences' oppose indicator.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Civil Rights Sentencing

Track

in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 4624: Establishes the crime of assault on a pregnant individual

This bill creates a new class D felony offense for intentionally or knowingly causing injury to a person known to be pregnant, including injuries resulting in pregnancy termination. It specifically excludes medical procedures like abortions (with consent) or general medical treatment from this law. The law aligns with existing public health regulations and updates felony classifications to include this offense. This directly affects individuals who assault pregnant people and healthcare providers performing authorized medical care.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeCreates new felony offense (assault on pregnant individuals), expanding criminalization per indicators, without reform elements like reduced sentences or enhanced rights.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Violent Crime

Track