Criminal Justice (Juvenile Justice)

in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 3291: Prohibits the arrest or restraint of a child less than thirteen years of age while effecting the arrest of the parent or guardian of such child

Provides that no police officer shall arrest, restrain, or otherwise subdue a child who is thirteen years of age or less while effecting the arrest of the parent or guardian of such child; provides that all police officers present at the scene of arrest shall have an affirmative duty to keep such child safe, and shall permit the person being arrested to communicate with such child up until such person is removed from the scene.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeProtects children's safety during parental arrests, aligning with civil rights and police accountability in criminal justice procedures.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Juvenile Justice Policing

Track

in committee · New York · Assembly Feb 3, 2026

A 8491: Establishes the youth justice innovation fund

Establishes the youth justice innovation fund to make funds available to community-based organizations for services and programs with the purpose of youth development and preventing youth arrest and incarceration.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeFunds community programs to prevent youth arrest/incarceration, directly advancing criminal justice reform by reducing unnecessary system involvement.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Juvenile Justice

Track

in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 4789: Relates to training requirements for attorneys appointed to represent a child in certain proceedings

This bill requires attorneys appointed to represent children in family court proceedings to complete specific training. It mandates 6 hours of initial training and ongoing training covering juvenile delinquency law, domestic violence dynamics, and its impact on children - particularly regarding custody, visitation, and child support. Training programs must be developed with input from the State Office for the Prevention of Domestic Violence and approved by the Office of Court Administration. The bill also encourages public defender offices to offer state-bar-approved training on juvenile delinquency for continuing legal education credit. It directly affects all attorneys representing children in these court cases.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeMandates training on juvenile delinquency law for child attorneys, improving representation in cases affecting juvenile justice reform.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts Domestic Violence Juvenile Justice

Track

in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 5283: Authorizes the correctional association to inspect residential juvenile detention facilities

This bill authorizes New York's Correctional Association to regularly inspect all juvenile detention facilities operated by the Office of Children and Family Services (OCFS), including secure and non-secure residential facilities. It grants the Association unannounced inspection rights, access to incident reports, confidential contact with youth/staff, and the duty to immediately report abuse allegations to OCFS and other oversight bodies. The bill also requires OCFS to provide youth in these facilities access to a confidential hotline (via Prisoners' Legal Services) for reporting abuse, and mandates annual public reports from the Association on facility conditions with OCFS responses. It directly affects youth in OCFS-run facilities and establishes new oversight mechanisms to protect their welfare.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeAuthorizes unannounced inspections and abuse reporting in juvenile facilities, enhancing oversight and safety - directly advancing criminal justice reform through accountability measures.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Juvenile Justice

Track

in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 3118: Prohibits the handcuffing or forcible restraint of certain juveniles in certain circumstances; limits warrantless arrests of juveniles except where the arrest is necessary for public safety

Prohibits handcuffing or forcibly restraining children age twelve and under unless such child presents a danger to such child, the officer or others; limits warrantless arrests of persons under age eighteen except where the arrest is necessary for public safety; establishes a twenty-four hour hotline for police officers to consult with youth social services personnel and attorneys regarding interactions with children and adolescents.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeProhibits unnecessary juvenile restraint and limits warrantless arrests, directly advancing criminal justice reform by protecting youth rights and reducing excessive force.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Juvenile Justice Policing

Track

in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 8333: Prohibits the detainment of minors with adult detainees

Bill A 8333 prohibits the detainment of individuals under the age of eighteen with adults in secure juvenile detention facilities within New York City. It mandates that no youth under 18 shall be housed in facilities also utilized for individuals aged 18 or older. The bill further specifies that alleged or convicted juvenile delinquents, adolescent offenders, or juvenile offenders between 18 and 21 years old will be detained in a newly defined "older youth detention facility." These facilities are to be operated by the New York City administration for children's services, specifically for this age group.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeSeparates minors from adult detainees, aligning with juvenile justice reform to improve safety and rehabilitation outcomes.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Juvenile Justice

Track

died · New York · Senate Mar 10, 2026

S 7117: Authorizes the correctional association to inspect residential juvenile detention facilities

S 7117 authorizes New York's Correctional Association to inspect all types of juvenile detention facilities - including secure, non-secure, and residential divisions - operated by the Office of Children and Family Services. The bill requires unannounced facility visits, review of incident reports, and immediate reporting of suspected abuse to relevant agencies. It also mandates annual public reports on facility conditions and establishes a confidential hotline for youth to report maltreatment, with Prisoners' Legal Services empowered to represent affected youth. The law directly affects juveniles in detention, facility operators, and oversight bodies, focusing on transparency and safety without altering facility operations or funding.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeAuthorizes inspections, abuse reporting, and public transparency in juvenile facilities, enhancing oversight and youth protection within corrections95% confidence

Sub-Topics Juvenile Justice

Track

in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 7414: Prohibits segregated confinement of children in a detention facility

This bill (A 7414) prohibits detention facilities in New York from placing children in "segregated confinement" for more than 17 hours a day. It defines segregated confinement as cell confinement exceeding 17 hours daily, excluding facility-wide emergencies or medical/mental health treatment. The law applies to all detention facilities holding children under the Family Court Act or Criminal Procedure Law. Exceptions allow room confinement authorized by regulations when a child poses an immediate danger to themselves or others.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeRestricts youth solitary confinement in detention, aligning with criminal justice reform to protect child detainees' rights and reduce harmful practices.90% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareProhibits prolonged segregated confinement (harmful to mental health) and explicitly allows exceptions for mental health treatment, protecting children's mental well-being.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Courts Juvenile Justice

Track

in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 3885: Prohibits segregated confinement of children in a detention facility

This bill prohibits detention facilities from placing children in "segregated confinement" (cell confinement for more than 17 hours daily) under any circumstances, except during facility-wide emergencies or for medical/mental health treatment. It directly affects children detained under New York's Family Court Act or Criminal Procedure Law who are held in certified detention facilities. The law defines "segregated confinement" specifically and excludes room confinement authorized by the Office of Children and Family Services when a child poses a serious immediate danger to themselves or others. The bill amends the Family Court Act and Executive Law to implement this ban, taking effect immediately upon passage.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeProhibits harmful solitary confinement of minors in detention, directly advancing criminal justice reform by protecting vulnerable populations and aligning with rehabilitation-focused policies.90% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill explicitly permits mental health treatment as an exception to segregation, supporting access to mental health services for detained children.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Courts Juvenile Justice

Track

in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 292: Relates to sentencing of person convicted of murdering a minor

Provides that a person convicted of murder in the first or second degree, or aggravated murder, in the death of a minor shall be sentenced to life imprisonment without parole.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeBill mandates life without parole for murder of a minor, increasing mandatory sentence severity. This opposes criminal justice reform trends seeking reduced harsh sentencing.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Juvenile Justice Probation & Parole Sentencing

Track