Criminal Justice (Drug Policy)

in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 1039: Creates the crime of unlawful possession of a radio frequency jamming device

This bill creates a new class D felony offense for knowingly possessing a device that disrupts wireless communications (like cell signals or GPS) without legal authorization. It directly affects individuals who own or carry such jamming devices, including those used to interfere with emergency services or commercial networks. The law prohibits possession of any device capable of emitting radio noise or signals that interfere with wireless communications. Violators face criminal penalties under state law, with the offense defined as unlawful possession without a right to do so.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeCreates new felony for jamming devices, expanding criminalization without reform focus or oversight improvements.90% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyCriminalizes unauthorized jamming of wireless networks, directly enhancing cybersecurity by preventing interference with critical communications infrastructure.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Drug Policy Telecommunications

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passed · New York · Senate May 12, 2026

S 56: Establishes a drug checking program

Establishes through the department of health a drug checking services program to allow individuals to bring drugs or controlled substances and have them tested for contaminants, toxic substances, or hazardous compounds; requires the department to establish public health surveillance of the unregulated drug supply; provides exemptions for participants in the drug checking program from certain controlled substance offenses.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeProvides exemptions from controlled substance offenses for drug checking participants, reducing criminalization and aligning with harm reduction reform in criminal justice.92% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareEstablishes public health surveillance for drug safety, reducing health risks from contaminants and aligning with harm reduction strategies in healthcare.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Drug Policy Public Health Substance Abuse

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in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 105: Includes within the class A misdemeanor of criminal possession of a weapon in the fourth degree, the possession of a weapon, outside the home, while intoxicated; repealer

Includes within the class A misdemeanor of criminal possession of a weapon in the fourth degree, the possession of a firearm, rifle or shotgun, outside the home, while impaired or intoxicated by use of alcohol or drugs; increases maximum fine for such offense to $10,000; provides for chemical testing of certain persons for whom there is reasonable cause to believe are in violation of such provision; provides for revocation of firearms permit upon conviction or refusal of a chemical test.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeExpands criminalization of weapon possession while intoxicated, increases penalties, and revokes firearms permits - strengthening punitive measures rather than reforming justice.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Drug Policy Firearms

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in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 6234: Establishes the Cannabis Community Reinvestment Act

Establishes the Cannabis Community Reinvestment Act; includes requirements for cannabis operators; includes the obligation to reinvest in communities disproportionately impacted by cannabis prohibition including, if applicable, the community such operator is located in; provides for the review of reinvestment plans by the department of financial services.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeRequires reinvestment in communities disproportionately impacted by cannabis prohibition, addressing historical inequities in criminal justice outcomes.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Drug Policy

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in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 542: Provides that a fentanyl analogue shall be deemed to be a schedule I opiate

This bill defines "fentanyl analogue" as any substance structurally related to fentanyl through specific chemical modifications (e.g., replacing parts of the molecule or adding certain groups). It adds all such analogues to Schedule I of the public health law, making them illegal without a prescription. The bill also clarifies that "knowingly" possessing or selling these substances does not require knowledge of their exact chemical structure. Exclusions include pure fentanyl, FDA-approved drugs, and investigational substances under specific exemptions. This directly affects individuals handling these chemicals, medical professionals, and law enforcement.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeExpands criminalization by adding fentanyl analogues to Schedule I, increasing penalties for possession/sale without requiring chemical knowledge.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Drug Policy

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in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 1388: Relates to the criminal sale of a controlled substance to a person less than fourteen years of age

This bill amends New York's penal law to create a new felony offense for selling controlled substances to children under 14. It defines "criminal sale of a controlled substance to a child in the first degree" as selling to a person under 14 (replacing the existing under-17 standard), punishable as a class A-II felony - more severe than the current class B felony for sales to those under 17. The law directly affects adults who sell drugs to minors under 14, raising the penalty level for this specific age group. The bill does not change existing penalties for sales to older minors or other drug offenses.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeBill increases penalties for drug sales to minors under 14, elevating to class A-II felony from class B, expanding criminalization95% confidence

Sub-Topics Drug Policy

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failed · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 1041: Relates to arrest, prosecution, sentencing and penalties for offenses involving vehicular assault, manslaughter and homicide and operating a vehicle under the influence of drugs or alcohol

Amends provisions involving the arrest, prosecution, sentencing and penalties for offenses involving vehicular assault, manslaughter and homicide; removes certain barriers to prosecution for operating a vehicle under the influence of drugs or alcohol.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeRemoves barriers to prosecution for DUI offenses, increasing enforcement and penalties, aligning with restrictive criminal justice measures.95% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationBill strengthens DUI penalties to enhance road safety, directly improving vehicle regulation standards and reducing traffic-related harm.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Drug Policy Sentencing Violent Crime

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in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 6417: Includes fires caused by the manufacture of a controlled substance within the crime of arson in the first degree

This bill amends New York's penal law to explicitly include fires caused by manufacturing controlled substances (like illegal drugs) within the definition of first-degree arson. It directly affects individuals who manufacture controlled substances and cause fires, whether to buildings, contents, or people, by expanding the circumstances that trigger this severe felony charge. The key change adds that "while manufacturing, attempting to manufacture or endeavoring to manufacture a controlled substance in violation of article two hundred twenty," causing fire or destruction now qualifies as first-degree arson. This creates a specific legal pathway to prosecute drug manufacturing operations that result in fires, without altering the underlying drug laws.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeExpands criminalization by adding drug manufacturing fires to first-degree arson, increasing felony charges and penalties without reform focus.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Drug Policy

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in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 2096: Relates to the criminal possession of fentanyl

This bill makes criminal possession of fentanyl a class E felony under New York law. It directly affects individuals who knowingly possess, manufacture, distribute, or use fentanyl or its analogs to enhance other illegal substances. The key provision defines these actions as a specific felony offense, raising the legal consequences for such possession. The bill was referred to the Codes committee on January 15, 2025, and takes immediate effect.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeBill elevates fentanyl possession to a class E felony, expanding criminalization and increasing penalties - directly opposing reform by strengthening punitive measures.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Drug Policy

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passed · New York · Assembly Mar 4, 2026

A 1034: Includes masking products within the definition of drug-related paraphernalia

Includes masking products including but not limited to synthetic urine, human urine, a substance used or designed to be added to human urine or a substance used or designed to be added to a chemical test, within the definition of drug-related paraphernalia.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeExpands criminalization by adding masking products to drug paraphernalia definition, increasing penalties for drug test evasion attempts.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Drug Policy

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