Criminal Justice

in committee · New York · Assembly May 21, 2026

A 5293: Relates to granting certain individuals youthful offender status or young adult offender status; repealer

Relates to granting certain individuals youthful offender status; adds a new category of individuals eligible for young adult offender status; provides for process and sentencing requirements related to such statuses.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeAdds new young adult offender category with rehabilitative sentencing, aligning with reform goals to reduce incarceration for youth.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Juvenile Justice Sentencing

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died · New York · Senate Jan 29, 2026

S 1812: Relates to the certification of innovative statewide substance use disorder treatment services

This bill creates a certification process for organizations providing in-home substance use disorder treatment services in New York. It requires applicants (including out-of-state entities registered with the state) to meet specific clinical standards, including conducting screenings for overdose risk, mental health conditions, and suicide risk. Certified providers must implement safety plans, medication-assisted treatment, naloxone access, and regular recovery planning. The law aims to standardize and expand access to in-home treatment while ensuring providers meet defined safety and clinical requirements.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeRequires certified substance use treatment with overdose risk screening and medication-assisted treatment, aligning with criminal justice reform goals to reduce recidivism through rehabilitation.85% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates clinical standards including mental health screenings, medication-assisted treatment, naloxone access, and safety plans for substance use disorder care, strengthening treatment protocols and patient safety.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Substance Abuse

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died · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 4940: Establishes a youth outreach department within the state police, city, village, town, and district police departments, and sheriff departments

Establishes a youth outreach department within the state police, city, village, town, and district police departments, and sheriff departments for the purposes of designing and carrying out youth activities organized by the department.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeCreates youth outreach programs within police departments to prevent crime and build community trust, aligning with criminal justice reform goals like reducing recidivism through early intervention.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Policing

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in committee · New York · Senate Jun 5, 2026

S 5969: Creates the substance use disorder treatment bill of rights to be posted in a conspicuous place in all treatment facilities

S 5969 requires all substance use disorder treatment facilities to post a "treatment bill of rights" in visible locations and provide a copy to every patient at admission. This bill of rights outlines 10 specific patient rights, including the right to participate in treatment planning, receive clear explanations of services, maintain privacy, and report grievances. It directly affects patients receiving treatment and facility staff, who must also receive copies of the document. The law mandates these postings and distributions without altering existing treatment standards, focusing solely on transparency and patient awareness.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill establishes patient rights in substance use treatment facilities, directly supporting rehabilitation programs and aligning with criminal justice reform goals of improving treatment quality and patient autonomy.92% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareRequires treatment facilities to post patient rights including participation, privacy, and grievance reporting for substance use disorder care, directly protecting patient rights in mental health services.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Substance Abuse

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in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 5490: Allows municipal commissions to use alternate lists for filling vacancies with resident and non-resident minority group members and women in order to achieve diversity in police departments

Allows municipal commissions to use alternate lists for filling vacancies with resident and non-resident minority group members and women in order to achieve diversity in police departments.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticePromotes diversity in police hiring, aligning with criminal justice reform goals to enhance accountability and representation in law enforcement.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Policing

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in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 5544: Provides for a sex offender registry check for youth organization volunteers who have direct contact with youths under the age of 18

This bill requires youth organizations (like sports leagues, clubs, or religious groups that use volunteers to supervise children) to conduct sex offender registry checks before allowing volunteers with direct contact with youth under 18 to serve. Organizations must check the statewide registry using a specific phone number before a volunteer begins, inform the volunteer about the check, and give them the option to withdraw before the check is done. Organizations cannot allow individuals listed on the registry to volunteer in roles involving direct youth contact, and must complete initial checks for all current volunteers by January 1, 2026. Violations carry small civil penalties ($100 for first offense, up to $200 for repeat offenses).

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill mandates sex offender registry checks for youth volunteers, preventing potential crimes against minors. This aligns with criminal justice reform by enhancing community safety and victim protection through proactive prevention.95% confidence

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in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 3454: Establishes criminal offenses committed against the elderly or disabled persons

This bill (S 3454) creates new criminal offenses specifically targeting abuse of elderly and disabled individuals in New York. It defines "vulnerable elderly" (60+ with age-related functional limitations) and "disabled" (with substantial life activity impairments), and establishes two key offenses: abandonment (a class E felony) and endangerment of welfare (a class A misdemeanor) when caregivers fail to prevent harm. The bill also includes a legal presumption that offenders intentionally targeted victims due to their age or disability. These provisions directly affect caregivers, family members, and others legally responsible for the care of vulnerable seniors and disabled adults.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeCreates new criminal offenses for abuse of vulnerable populations, strengthening legal protections under criminal justice framework95% confidence

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in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 7081: Authorizes the state inspector general to receive and investigate complaints of sexual assault in correctional facilities

Authorizes the state inspector general to receive and investigate complaints of sexual assault in correctional facilities and other places operated by the department of corrections and community supervision for the confinement of persons; requires the state inspector general to establish protocol and procedures for such reports and investigations.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeAuthorizes inspector general to investigate sexual assault in prisons, enhancing oversight and protecting inmate rights in correctional facilities.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Probation & Parole Violent Crime

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in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 337: Allows municipal commissions to use alternate lists for filling vacancies with resident and non-resident minority group members and women in order to achieve diversity in police departments

Allows municipal commissions to use alternate lists for filling vacancies with resident and non-resident minority group members and women in order to achieve diversity in police departments.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill promotes police department diversity via alternate hiring lists, aligning with criminal justice reform goals of equity and accountability in law enforcement staffing.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Policing

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in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 4785: Relates to the provision of criminal history background checks free of charge to mentoring programs operated by not-for-profit corporations

This bill waives the $25 processing fee for criminal history background checks required by mentoring programs operated by not-for-profit corporations. It requires these programs to collect fingerprints but eliminates the standard fee they would otherwise pay to the state. The exemption applies specifically to formal mentoring programs matching youth with adult volunteers for developmental support, as defined in the law. This directly affects qualifying not-for-profit mentoring organizations seeking background checks for volunteers or staff.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeWaives background check fees for youth mentoring programs, supporting prevention-focused criminal justice reform by reducing barriers to volunteer participation in developmental support.85% confidence

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