Criminal Justice

in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 885: Relates to requiring state and local law enforcement officers to identify themselves to the public

New York's S 885 requires state and local law enforcement officers to identify themselves during specific interactions, including traffic stops, pedestrian stops, and searches. Officers must state their full name, rank, command, and the reason for the encounter, and provide a business card with contact details after non-arrest interactions. The bill excludes situations where identification would compromise safety or ongoing investigations. It directly affects officers during routine encounters and aims to create a written record of interactions for the public.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeRequires officers to identify themselves during stops, enhancing transparency and accountability in law enforcement encounters per criminal justice reform indicators.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Law Enforcement

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in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 679: Establishes the crime of coercive control

Relates to establishing the crime of coercive control; provides that a person is guilty of coercive control when such person engages in a course of conduct against a member of such person's same family or household, without the victim's consent, which results in limiting or restricting, in full or in part, the victim's behavior, movement, associations or access to or use of such victim's own finances or financial information; provides that coercive control is a class E felony.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeCreates new felony for coercive control, strengthening victim protections and holding abusers accountable, advancing criminal justice reform.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Domestic Violence

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in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 8586: Prohibits state or local police from accepting military surplus equipment from the federal government

This bill bans all state and local police departments in New York from accepting military surplus equipment (such as armored vehicles or weapons) from the federal government. It directly affects every law enforcement agency, including state police divisions and municipal police departments, by prohibiting the receipt of such equipment under any circumstances. The law explicitly states that no existing rules or regulations can override this ban, and it takes effect immediately upon passage. The policy change is a direct prohibition on acquiring federal military equipment, with no exceptions or alternative provisions.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBans military equipment for police to reduce militarization, aligning with criminal justice reform goals like enhancing accountability and protecting civil rights.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Policing

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died · New York · Senate Jun 5, 2026

S 3909: Enacts the "New York state phoenix act"

Enacts the "New York State Phoenix Act"; extends the statute of limitations for felony family offenses to ten years and misdemeanor family offenses to five years.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeExtending statute of limitations for family offenses supports victims' access to justice, aligning with criminal justice reform principles by enabling timely prosecution.85% confidence

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in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 317: Relates to prohibiting certain discriminatory peremptory challenges to prospective jurors

Prohibits peremptory challenges of prospective jurors based on race, color, national origin, ancestry, gender, gender identity or expression, religion, religious practice, age, disability, or sexual orientation.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeProhibits discriminatory jury challenges, advancing fair trials and civil rights in criminal courts per bill's explicit language.95% confidence

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in committee · New York · Senate Mar 31, 2026

S 260: Relates to extreme risk protection orders

Relates to extreme risk protection orders; defines "exception"; authorizes a police officer or district attorney to file an application for an extreme risk protection order if found that a person meets the requirements of an exception pursuant to section 6340 of the civil practice law and rules; makes related provisions.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeAuthorizes extreme risk protection orders to prevent gun violence, aligning with criminal justice reform by addressing public safety through legal intervention without criminalization.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Policing

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passed · New York · Senate Jun 2, 2026

S 8061: Provides for mental health counseling for correction officers and civilian staff in correctional facilities

Directs the commissioner of corrections and community supervision, in consultation with the commissioner of mental health, to make mental health counseling available to all correction officers and civilian staff in correctional facilities.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeProvides mental health support for correctional staff, enhancing facility safety and staff well-being within corrections - aligns with reform goals to improve system effectiveness and reduce incidents.85% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill mandates mental health counseling access for correctional staff, directly advancing mental health services as a core healthcare component.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Probation & Parole

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in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 3969: Reforms the commission on forensic science; and makes conforming changes; repealer

Updates the membership, powers, duties and procedures of the commission on forensic science; establishes the scientific advisory committee, the social justice, ethics, and equity assessment committee and the forensic analyst license advisory committee; makes conforming changes.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeEstablishes social justice, ethics, and equity committee for forensic science, promoting reform in criminal justice system's fairness and oversight.85% confidence

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in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 4002: Relates to establishing an automatic expunction system for certain records

Relates to establishing an automatic expunction system for certain records including unconstitutional stops that occurred between January two thousand four and June two thousand twelve by the New York city police department that either resulted in the completion of a UF-250 form or a Form 61 complaint in which the SQF section was completed and led to arrests for either resisting arrest, disorderly conduct, criminal possession of a weapon, and offenses involving marihuana.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeCreates automatic expungement for unconstitutional NYPD stops (2004-2012), clearing records for affected individuals and advancing accountability - aligns with reform indicators.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Drug Policy Policing

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in committee · New York · Assembly Feb 25, 2026

A 9142: Relates to permitting admission of spontaneous statements by victims of certain offenses who are elderly, physically disabled, incompetent or determined to be incapacitated

This bill allows certain statements made by victims of fraud, abuse, or theft to be used as evidence in court if the victim was determined to be incapacitated under mental health law. It specifically permits spontaneous statements made by the victim to a non-defendant adult (18+) about the crime, provided the prosecution gives pre-trial notice, the court finds the statement reliable based on its timing and context, and the victim testifies or is available to testify. The law directly affects victims who are incapacitated and their cases under specific New York Penal Law sections (155, 170, 190). It changes evidence rules to make these statements admissible as an exception to hearsay, without altering the legal standard for conviction.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeAllows victim statements as evidence for incapacitated victims, supporting prosecution of crimes and aligning with victim protection reforms in criminal justice.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts

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