Criminal Justice (Corrections)

in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 477: Increases the penalty for rape in the first degree

This bill changes the penalty for first-degree rape from a class B felony to a more serious class A-II felony under New York's penal law. It does not alter the definition of the crime itself, which remains based on factors like forcible compulsion, victim incapacity, or age. The change directly affects individuals convicted of first-degree rape, resulting in a higher potential prison sentence. The bill's sole modification is the reclassification of the felony level, with no other provisions or changes to the offense.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeIncreases felony classification for first-degree rape, resulting in harsher sentences, aligning with 'oppose' indicators of stricter penalties.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections

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in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 3800: Establishes the crime of staging a construction site accident

This bill makes it a felony to intentionally stage a construction site accident to file a fraudulent insurance claim. It directly affects individuals or groups who enter construction sites to fake injuries or damage with the specific intent of submitting a false insurance claim. The law criminalizes both personally staging such accidents and directing others to do so, treating it as a class E felony punishable by prison time. The key provision creates a new criminal offense specifically targeting insurance fraud at construction sites.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeBill creates new felony for staged construction accidents, expanding criminalization (indicator: 'expands criminalization')95% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections

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in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 1208: Establishes a New York state prison labor board; repealer

Establishes a New York state prison labor board to ensure that all labor programs comply with the requirements of the labor law and are for the purpose of promoting successful rehabilitation, reentry and reintegration into the community and not for the purpose of earnings or cost-savings which inure to the benefit the state or any private individual or corporation; prohibits the department of corrections and community supervision from unfairly attaching, garnishing or disbursing the funds of incarcerated individuals where such individuals have not requested disbursement; requires that all interest accumulated on incarcerated individuals' funds be credited to such individual's accounts; eliminates the preferred status of the department of corrections and community supervision regarding commodities and services furnished by the correctional industries program; repeals certain provisions of the state finance law relating to such preferred status.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeEstablishes prison labor board to prioritize rehabilitation over profit, prohibiting cost-saving exploitation, aligning with criminal justice reform goals.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Probation & Parole

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in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 2608: Creates parity for incarcerated individual telephone services for international calls to family members

Creates parity for incarcerated individual telephone services for international calls to family members outside continental United States, Canada, U.S. Virgin Islands, Puerto Rico, Guam or Central Northern Mariana Islands by requiring identical restrictions on the duration or number of phone calls and use of unit or facility phones made available to incarcerated individuals who are calling family members who are not outside continental United States, Canada, U.S. Virgin Islands, Puerto Rico, Guam or Central Northern Mariana Islands.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeEnables consistent family communication for incarcerated individuals, supporting rehabilitation and reducing recidivism through improved inmate-family connections.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections

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in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 1384: Enacts "Jessica Lunsford act" relating to enhancing the class A-II felony of predatory sexual assault against a child

Enacts "Jessica Lunsford act" relating to enhancing the class A-II felony of predatory sexual assault against a child by expanding the acts to which such offense applies; establishes a mandatory sentence of 25 years to life term of imprisonment; requires electronic monitoring of incarcerated individuals upon release from prison.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeMandates 25+ year sentences, expands criminalization of child sexual assault without reform elements95% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Violent Crime

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in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 3102: Conforms the definition of an incarcerated individual with a serious mental illness to the definition of "person with a serious mental illness" in the mental hygiene law

Conforms the definition of an incarcerated individual with a serious mental illness to the definition of "person with a serious mental illness" in the mental hygiene law.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeConforming definitions ensures consistent mental health care for incarcerated individuals, aligning corrections with mental hygiene law to support rehabilitation and reduce recidivism.85% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareAligns incarcerated mental health definitions with mental hygiene law, ensuring consistent access to mental health services for this population.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections

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failed · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 1584: Increases penalties for criminal use of a firearm in the first degree when committing a drug related felony offense

Bill A 1584 increases the penalties for individuals convicted of criminal use of a firearm in the first degree, particularly when committing certain violent or drug-related felony offenses. It raises the additional consecutive prison sentence for this crime from five years to ten years. This ten-year sentence becomes mandatory, removing judicial discretion to waive it, and district attorneys are prohibited from dismissing this specific charge in plea bargains. The bill also establishes that the combined ten-year consecutive term and the minimum term of the underlying felony create a new aggregate minimum sentence, during which the individual is ineligible for parole or conditional release. This aggregate minimum term's application is expanded to include defendants whose liability for displaying a weapon is based on the actions of another person.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeIncreases mandatory 10-year sentence for firearm/drug crimes, removes judicial discretion and plea bargaining options - aligns with 'oppose' indicators of harsher penalties.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Firearms Sentencing

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in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 302: Prohibits corrections employees from participating in degrading behavior towards incarcerated persons or fellow employees

Prohibits corrections employees from participating in degrading behavior towards incarcerated persons or fellow employees; establishes any individual who participates in such behavior shall be disciplined by the department and may have their employment terminated for cause.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeProhibits degrading behavior by corrections staff, protecting incarcerated persons' rights and advancing humane treatment in corrections reform.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections

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in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 3455: Relates to penalties for the promotion of prison contraband

Relates to penalties for the promotion of prison contraband; amends the definition of dangerous contraband; amends the promotion of prison contraband in the first degree to a class C felony.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeBill elevates prison contraband promotion to class C felony, increasing penalties. Matches 'oppose' indicators of stricter sentencing.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections

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in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 4250: Increases the penalties for theft of a companion animal

This bill increases penalties for stealing companion animals (like dogs and cats) by amending New York's Agriculture and Markets Law. It raises the maximum jail sentence from six months to one year for offenders convicted of this theft, while keeping the maximum fine at $5,000. The change directly affects individuals who steal pets, making the punishment more severe under existing law. The bill amends Section 366 of the Agriculture and Markets Law, effective 90 days after enactment.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeIncreases maximum jail sentence for pet theft, raising penalties under sentencing laws, aligning with 'oppose' indicators of stricter sentencing.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections

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