Criminal Justice

in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 8485: Relates to criminal impersonation in the first degree

This bill (S 8485) expands New York's criminal impersonation law to specifically include impersonating a firefighter. It makes it a class E felony to pretend to be a firefighter (or wear their uniform without authorization) while obstructing emergency personnel during life-threatening situations like fires, explosions, or toxic gas incidents. The law directly affects individuals who falsely pose as firefighters to interfere with emergency responses. This amendment clarifies that such impersonation during critical emergencies will be prosecuted under the same felony charge as impersonating police or federal officers.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeExpands criminal penalties for impersonating firefighters during emergencies to protect emergency personnel, strengthening public safety enforcement.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Policing

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in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 3241: Relates to the justified use of physical force

Relates to the justified use of physical force; removes requirement that a person facing an imminent physical threat must retreat; provides immunity from civil and criminal liability.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeRemoves duty to retreat for self-defense, providing immunity. Protects civil right to self-defense, aligning with criminal justice reform that safeguards individual rights.90% confidence

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in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 1808: Requires employers to provide up to ten additional days of unpaid leave for absences due to domestic violence, a family offense, sexual offense, stalking or human trafficking

Requires employers to provide up to ten additional days of unpaid leave for absences when the employee or employee's family member has been the victim of domestic violence, a family offense, sexual offense, stalking or human trafficking upon the employee's request for reasons related to such offense or offenses.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeProvides victim leave, aligns with criminal justice reform by supporting survivors' access to justice and reducing barriers to reporting85% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentProvides additional unpaid leave for workers facing domestic violence and related issues, protecting workers' rights under Labor & Employment.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Domestic Violence Human Trafficking Paid Leave

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in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 4637: Relates to the disclosure of law enforcement personnel records; repealer

Relates to the disclosure of law enforcement personnel records; provides that law enforcement personnel records shall be considered confidential and not subject to inspection or review without the express written consent of such law enforcement officers except as mandated by lawful court order.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeBill restricts access to law enforcement records, weakening oversight and transparency in criminal justice oversight mechanisms.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts

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in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 6178: Enacts Caylee's law; establishes the crime of failure to report a child's disappearance or death

Enacts Caylee's law; establishes the crime of failure to report a child's disappearance or death, a class D felony; makes exception where child dies while under the medical care of a licensed physician.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeCreates new class D felony for failing to report child disappearance, expanding criminalization of non-reporting, aligning with 'oppose' indicators.95% confidence

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in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 4201: Relates to stalking a police officer, peace officer, correction officer or firefighter

Establishes the crime of stalking a police officer, peace officer, correction officer or firefighter to include intent to harass, annoy or alarm a police officer, peace officer, correction officer, firefighter or an immediate family member of a police officer, peace officer, correction officer or firefighter, intentionally engaging in a course of conduct directed at such person which is likely to cause such person to reasonably fear physical injury or serious physical injury, the commission of a sex offense against, or the kidnapping, unlawful imprisonment or death of such person or a member of such person's immediate family.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeExpands criminalization by establishing stalking of officers as a new crime, aligning with 'oppose' indicators.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Domestic Violence Policing

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vetoed · New York · Assembly Dec 19, 2025

A 3516: Relates to enacting the "keep police radio public act"

Enacts the "keep police radio public act"; ensures that, except for sensitive information, all radio communications are accessible to emergency services organizations and professional journalists.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill mandates public access to police radio comms (except sensitive info), enhancing transparency and accountability in law enforcement, aligning with criminal justice reform indicators.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Policing

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passed · New York · Assembly May 13, 2026

A 1719: Prohibits charging a fee to obtain a certified copy or certified transcript of birth in certain situations

Prohibits charging a fee to obtain a certified copy or certified transcript of birth when the department of corrections and community supervision or a local correctional facility requests such for an individual under community supervision in connection with such individual's ongoing supervision in the community.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeRemoves financial barriers for community supervision compliance, aiding reintegration and reducing recidivism risk per criminal justice reform indicators.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Probation & Parole

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in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 1361: Establishes the crime of disruption of an online public meeting

Establishes the crime of disruption of an online public meeting when a person with intent to cause public inconvenience, annoyance or alarm, without lawful authority, and acting through a computer service, such person disturbs any lawful assembly or meeting of persons open to the public conducted through a computer service; makes such crime a class B misdemeanor.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeBill creates new misdemeanor for disrupting online meetings, expanding criminalization without reform context or protections.90% confidence

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in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 5628: Increases the fine on certain individuals who commit the crime of criminal contempt in the first degree

Increases the fine on individuals who commit the crime of criminal contempt in the first degree to up to $150,000 if such crime was wilfully committed persistently and/or egregiously as determined by the court.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeIncreases penalties for criminal contempt (fine up to $150k), strengthening punitive measures rather than advancing reform or reducing sentencing.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts

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