Criminal Justice (Probation & Parole)

in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 1276: Authorizes the court to order sexual offenders on probation to terms of imprisonment which run consecutively to sentences already being served

Authorizes the court to order sexual offenders on probation, where such probation has been revoked, to terms of imprisonment which run consecutively to sentences already being served.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeBill mandates consecutive prison terms for sexual offenders with revoked probation, increasing sentence severity and opposing criminal justice reform efforts to reduce harsh sentencing.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts Probation & Parole

Track

in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 142: Increases from twenty-four to sixty months, the time for which reconsideration for parole for a violent felony offense shall be determined

Enacts "Lorraine's Law"; increases from twenty-four to sixty months, the time for which reconsideration for parole for a violent felony offense shall be determined.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeExtends parole reconsideration period for violent offenders, restricting early release and increasing sentence length per bill's explicit language.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Probation & Parole Victims' Rights Violent Crime

Track

in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 4645: Requires unanimous agreement by the parole board to release incarcerated individuals on parole

S 4645 requires New York's parole board to unanimously agree before releasing an incarcerated person on parole, replacing previous majority-vote rules. If denied, the board must provide a detailed, written explanation of the denial within two weeks and set a reconsideration date within 24 months. Upon release, individuals receive parole conditions including restitution collection details and a notice that voting rights will be restored. This bill directly affects incarcerated people seeking parole and alters the board's decision-making process under New York's executive law.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeRequires unanimous parole board agreement, making release harder than previous majority rule. Restricts inmate release, opposing criminal justice reform efforts to reduce incarceration.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Civil Rights Probation & Parole Victims' Rights

Track

in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 5899: Enacts "Cesar's law" to require the retaking of parolees who abscond from the supervision of the state board of parole

S 5899, "Cesar's law," requires the state board of parole to immediately issue a warrant and notify law enforcement when a parolee flees supervision. It directly affects parolees who abscond and the parole board, mandating they take specific action instead of allowing delays. The law specifies the board must declare the person "delinquent," issue a retaking warrant, and inform local police without delay upon reasonable belief of absconding. This policy change adds a concrete procedural step for parole supervision compliance, ensuring prompt action on absconders while preserving the parolee's right to a hearing after being recaptured.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeMandates immediate parolee recapture without delay, tightening enforcement rather than promoting reform or rehabilitation, aligning with stricter criminal justice measures.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Policing Probation & Parole

Track

failed · New York · Assembly May 5, 2026

A 5116: Prohibits the release of persons convicted of first degree murder

This bill (A 5116) prohibits the release of individuals convicted of first-degree murder through parole or any other means. It mandates that courts must sentence such offenders to either the death penalty or life imprisonment without parole, eliminating any possibility of parole consideration. The law directly affects people convicted of first-degree murder under New York Penal Law, requiring mandatory life sentences without parole options for this specific crime. The bill amends existing sentencing provisions to ensure no release is permitted for these offenders.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeMandates life without parole for first-degree murder, eliminating parole options and reducing defendant rights, increasing mandatory sentences.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Probation & Parole Sentencing

Track

in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 3714: Provides that certain sex offenders who are released on parole or sentenced to probation may not enter public, association or free libraries

This bill prohibits certain sex offenders on parole or probation from entering public, association, or free libraries. It specifically targets individuals convicted of crimes against minors (under 18) or designated as Level 3 sex offenders. As a mandatory condition of release, these offenders must avoid all such libraries unless authorized in writing by their parole/probation officer and library administrator for limited purposes like being a student, employee, or having a family member enrolled. The restriction applies only during library hours when minors are present at the facility.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeBill restricts library access for specific sex offenders on parole/probation, adding mandatory conditions that limit offender rights without promoting rehabilitation or reform.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Probation & Parole

Track

in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 1658: Requires a sentence of life imprisonment without parole for murder in the first degree, aggravated murder, and murder in the second degree

This bill requires life imprisonment without parole for individuals convicted of murder in the first degree, aggravated murder, or specific types of murder in the second degree. It eliminates parole eligibility for these offenders, mandating they serve their entire sentence in prison with no possibility of release. The law applies to all such convictions under the defined legal standards, removing alternative sentencing options like fixed prison terms. Additionally, the bill includes similar life without parole requirements for certain terrorism and chemical weapon offenses, but the primary focus centers on murder sentencing reforms.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeBill mandates life without parole for specified murders, eliminating parole eligibility and increasing mandatory sentences, directly opposing criminal justice reform by reducing defendant rights and harshening sentencing.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Probation & Parole Sentencing

Track

in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 942: Makes life imprisonment without parole mandatory for defendants convicted of murder in the first degree or second degree and the victim is a police officer, peace officer, first responder or correctional officer

Makes life imprisonment without parole mandatory for defendants convicted of murder in the first degree or second degree and the victim is a police officer, peace officer, first responder or correctional officer.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeMandatory life without parole for specific murders increases sentencing severity and reduces defendant rights, aligning with 'oppose' indicators.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Policing Probation & Parole

Track

in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 6525: Requires a sentence of life imprisonment without parole for murder in the first degree, aggravated murder, and murder in the second degree

This bill mandates a life imprisonment sentence without parole for specific murder convictions. It directly affects defendants convicted of first-degree murder involving the killing of a first responder, certain second-degree murders, or aggravated murder. The law requires courts to impose this sentence automatically in these cases, removing judicial discretion for these offenses. It does not apply to defendants under 18 at the time of the crime, who may still receive other sentencing options.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeMandates life without parole for specific murders, removes judicial discretion, and increases mandatory sentences - directly opposing reform efforts that reduce harsh penalties.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Probation & Parole Sentencing

Track

failed · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 6957: Provides judges with more discretion to impose bail on principals and requires certain principals be committed to the custody of the sheriff; repealer

Provides judges with more discretion to impose bail on principals charged with a felony, principals charged with a misdemeanor when awaiting trial for another crime, principals who are a threat to the safety and security of the community, principals charged with a felony serving a sentence of probation or while released to post release supervision; requires principals who have been charged with an offense related to three separate alleged instances of criminal activity are committed to the custody of the sheriff.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeBill restricts bail options for certain defendants, requiring custody in multiple-offense cases, reducing pretrial release opportunities and defendant rights.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Probation & Parole

Track