Criminal Justice (Policing)

in committee · New York · Senate Jan 13, 2026

S 8873: Enacts the "first responders assault prevention act"

Enacts the "first responders assault prevention act" which increases the offense classification for assault on a peace officer, police officer, firefighter or emergency medical services professional from a class C felony to a class B felony.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeIncreases penalties for assaulting first responders by upgrading felony classification, expanding criminalization per OPPOSE indicators.90% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareProtects EMTs (emergency medical services professionals) from assault, safeguarding healthcare workforce safety per bill's focus on medical professionals.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Law Enforcement Policing Violent Crime

Track

in committee · New York · Senate Jan 9, 2026

S 8856: Establishes county law enforcement civilian complaint review boards

Requires each county to establish a county law enforcement civilian complaint review board to assist the board of supervisors with the investigation of complaints concerning misconduct by members of county law enforcement towards members of the public in a complete, thorough and impartial manner.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeEstablishes civilian oversight for law enforcement misconduct investigations, directly enhancing police accountability - a core criminal justice reform indicator.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Law Enforcement Policing

Track

in committee · New York · Senate Jan 28, 2026

S 9064: Makes intentional damage to an authorized emergency vehicle a crime of criminal mischief in the third degree

This bill (S 9064) adds intentional damage to authorized emergency vehicles (like police cars, ambulances, or fire trucks) to the list of actions that constitute "criminal mischief in the third degree" under New York law. It directly affects individuals who intentionally damage such vehicles, making this act a class E felony. The key provision amends the penal law to explicitly include emergency vehicles under the third-degree criminal mischief definition, which previously covered other property damage scenarios. This change clarifies that damaging emergency vehicles - critical for public safety - will face the same legal consequences as other significant property destruction under this specific charge.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill explicitly strengthens law enforcement protection by classifying intentional damage to emergency vehicles as a class E felony, directly advancing criminal justice system effectiveness.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Policing

Track

in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 30, 2026

A 10072: Relates to race-blind charging guidelines for prosecution agencies

Requires the department of criminal justice services to develop, issue, and publish "race-blind charging" guidelines for a process whereby all prosecution agencies that prosecute criminal violations of the law as felonies or misdemeanors, shall implement a process by which an initial review of a case for potential charging is performed based on information, including police reports and criminal histories from the department of justice, from which direct means of identifying the race of the suspect, victim, or witness have been removed.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill mandates race-blind charging guidelines to eliminate racial bias in prosecution, directly advancing criminal justice reform and protecting civil rights through equitable charging practices.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Civil Rights Policing

Track

in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 21, 2026

A 9685: Relates to supporting depositions that are served at the time of issuance of a simplified information

This bill (A 9685) requires police officers or public servants to provide a written deposition detailing the factual basis for an arrest to defendants charged with minor offenses under "simplified information" (a streamlined charging process for less serious crimes). If a defendant makes a timely written request before pleading guilty or before trial begins (within 30 days of court appearance date), the court must order the officer to serve this deposition to the defendant or their attorney within 30 days or 5 days before trial, whichever comes first. It also clarifies that requests remain timely if the court appearance notice is defective, extending the deadline to 30 days after a not-guilty plea is entered or after notice of the right to a deposition is provided. This directly affects defendants in minor criminal cases by giving them earlier access to the officer's factual justification for the charges.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeRequires police to provide factual basis for arrest in minor cases, enhancing transparency and accountability in criminal proceedings.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts Policing

Track

in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 21, 2026

A 9617: Establishes county law enforcement civilian complaint review boards

Requires each county to establish a county law enforcement civilian complaint review board to assist the board of supervisors with the investigation of complaints concerning misconduct by members of county law enforcement towards members of the public in a complete, thorough and impartial manner.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeEstablishes civilian complaint review boards to enhance police accountability and oversight in misconduct investigations, aligning with criminal justice reform indicators.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Law Enforcement Policing

Track

in committee · New York · Senate Jan 13, 2026

S 8895: Establishes a new assault crime for an assault on a retired police officer who previously arrested the assailant

Establishes a new assault crime for an assault on a retired police officer who previously arrested the assailant; establishes that assaulting such a retired police officer with intent to seek retribution is assault in the first degree.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeCreates new felony assault charge for targeting retired officers with retribution intent, expanding criminalization of specific offenses.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Policing Violent Crime

Track

signed · New York · Senate Feb 13, 2026

S 8769: Provides confidentiality for communications arising out of law enforcement peer support counseling

This bill establishes legal confidentiality for conversations between police officers and peer support specialists during official counseling sessions. It directly affects law enforcement officers seeking mental health support and the peer support specialists who provide it. Key provisions prohibit disclosing session details unless there's a specific threat of suicide, self-harm, violence, or child abuse - allowing limited disclosure only to prevent harm. Officers must receive written notice before sessions explaining these confidentiality rules and exceptions. The law ensures peer support communications remain private except in clearly defined safety emergencies.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill establishes confidentiality for police peer support counseling, promoting officer mental health and accountability - key aspects of criminal justice reform.85% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill protects mental health counseling confidentiality for police officers, removing barriers to access and aligning with mental health service support indicators.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentConfidentiality protects law enforcement officers' access to mental health support, enhancing workplace safety and workers' rights in high-stress roles without restricting protections.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Law Enforcement Policing Mental Health

in committee · New York · Senate Apr 17, 2026

S 8629: Relates to requiring training of police department and state police personnel on the protocols of the address confidentiality program

Requires the secretary of state to develop and mandate training of police department personnel and state police officers on the protocols of the address confidentiality program.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeRequires police training on address confidentiality protocols, enhancing victim privacy protections and police accountability in criminal justice handling.90% confidence ✓ ImmigrationSupports ImmigrationMandates training on address confidentiality protocols to protect privacy of individuals (including immigrants at risk) from unauthorized address disclosure, supporting immigrant safety.80% confidence

Sub-Topics Policing

Track

in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 9416: Increases the offense classification for certain assault offenses regarding police officers and peace officers

This bill raises penalties for assaulting certain public safety personnel in New York. It specifically increases second-degree assault on police officers, peace officers, firefighters, EMTs, sanitation workers, and other essential service workers from a class D felony to a class C felony (up to 15 years in prison). The law expands protections to include these workers when they're performing official duties, such as a sanitation worker enforcing regulations or a firefighter providing medical aid. It also upgrades aggravated assault on officers to a class A felony (up to 25 years). The bill applies directly to individuals who cause physical injury to these protected personnel while they're carrying out their jobs.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeBill increases penalties for assaulting officers (class D to C felony), expanding criminalization and harsher sentences for violence against public safety workers.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Policing Violent Crime

Track