Criminal Justice (Courts)

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 5538: Enhances the assisted outpatient treatment program and eliminates the expiration and repeal of Kendra's Law

This bill strengthens New York's Kendra's Law (assisted outpatient treatment program) by making it permanent and adding specific oversight requirements. It requires program coordinators to monitor treatment compliance, ensures timely service delivery, and mandates an educational pamphlet explaining the petition process in plain language. The law directly affects individuals court-ordered into outpatient treatment for serious mental illness, community mental health providers, and court staff handling petitions. Key changes include eliminating the program's automatic expiration and clarifying duties for directors of community services to investigate reports and coordinate care.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill strengthens Kendra's Law (assisted outpatient treatment) to improve mental health care for court-ordered individuals, reducing recidivism and supporting rehabilitation within criminal justice reform.90% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill strengthens Kendra's Law (mental health assisted outpatient treatment program) by making it permanent, adding oversight, and ensuring timely service delivery, directly supporting mental health services under healthcare.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts Mental Health Substance Abuse

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in committee · New York · Senate Jun 10, 2025

S 8198: Relates to requiring certain records checks in child custody proceedings; repealer

This bill (S 8198) requires New York courts to check specific records before making custody decisions in child custody cases involving orders of protection. Courts must review sex offender registry data, protection order records, related court decisions, and warrants. The bill modifies Family Court Act section 842 to mandate these checks and repeals an outdated section of the same law. It directly affects family courts, parents involved in custody disputes with protection orders, and children in those cases. The law aims to ensure custody decisions consider relevant safety information during protection order proceedings.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeMandates criminal records checks (sex offender registry, protection orders) in custody cases to prevent harm, aligning with criminal justice reform by enhancing safety through informed judicial decisions.92% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts

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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 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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in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 2441: Relates to the confidentiality and expungement of records in juvenile delinquency cases in the family court

Relates to the confidentiality and expungement of records in juvenile delinquency cases in the family court; requires certain records to be expunged automatically.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeAutomatically expunging juvenile delinquency records reduces barriers to rehabilitation, aligns with criminal justice reform goals, and prevents long-term collateral consequences for minors.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts Juvenile Justice

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in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 664: Prohibits a person convicted of violating "Buster's Law" from owning or possessing a companion animal

Prohibits a person convicted of "Buster's Law" from owning or possessing a companion animal unless authorized by court order, after appropriate psychiatric or psychological testing.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeBill expands penalties for convicted individuals by restricting companion animal ownership, aligning with 'expands criminalization' indicator without promoting reform or rehabilitation.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts

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passed · New York · Senate Jun 9, 2025

S 8320: Relates to the contents of claims

This bill (S 8320) modifies court pleading rules for certain claims involving sexual offenses. It exempts claims alleging physical or psychological injury from sexual offenses (as defined in New York Penal Law) against children or adults aged 18+ from needing detailed technical descriptions of the claim. Specifically, it removes the requirement to specify exact details like the time, place, or nature of the injury in these cases, preventing dismissals based solely on pleading technicalities. The law applies immediately to new claims, pending cases, and some previously dismissed claims that are still appealable.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeExempts sexual offense claims from technical pleading requirements, preventing dismissals and protecting victim rights in criminal justice proceedings.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts

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in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 6831: Relates to requiring a police officer or a district attorney to apply for a court order to compel a chemical test to determine blood alcohol content in certain cases

Requires court-ordered blood alcohol content testing for all drivers involved in fatal and serious physical injury accidents where there is a reasonable cause to believe an alcohol-related offense has been committed; provides exception when seeking court order would unduly interfere with emergency medical assistance or other necessary services at incident scene.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeRequires court order for BAC testing, adding judicial oversight to protect civil rights during DUI investigations, aligning with accountability indicators.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts Policing

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in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 989: Establishes the offense of aggravated reckless endangerment; includes aggravated reckless endangerment as a qualified offense the court must consider and take into account for securing an order

Establishes the offense of aggravated reckless endangerment; includes aggravated reckless endangerment as a qualified offense the court must consider and take into account for securing an order.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeMandates courts to consider aggravated reckless endangerment for securing protective orders, enhancing victim safety protocols in criminal justice proceedings.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts

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