Criminal Justice

passed · New York · Senate Apr 28, 2026

S 54: Prohibits the use of intoxication of the victim as a defense in sex crimes

Prohibits the use of intoxication of the victim as a defense in sex crimes where the victim is under the extreme influence of any substance which renders them incapable of appraising or controlling such victim's conduct and incapable of clearly expressing lack of consent.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeProhibits victim intoxication defense in sex crimes, strengthening victim consent protections and aligning with criminal justice reform principles.85% confidence

Track

in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 1291: Relates to the appointment of a special independent counsel

Provides that in instances involving alleged criminal offense or offenses committed by a person, whether or not formally on duty, who is a peace officer as defined in section 2.10 of the criminal procedure law and employed or contracted by a corrections agency, or is a peace officer as defined in subdivision twenty-five of section 2.10 of the criminal procedure law, concerning any incident in which the death of a person, whether in custody or not, is caused by an act or omission of such peace officer, the attorney general shall have the authority to transfer the investigatory authority and criminal jurisdiction under this section to an individual or individuals independent of the office of the attorney general.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill establishes independent counsel for investigations into peace officers causing death, enhancing police accountability in criminal justice cases.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Law Enforcement

Track

passed · New York · Senate Mar 20, 2025

S 5559: Relates to remedies for unlawful discharge or discrimination for the exercise of an employee's right to be absent from employment for jury duty

Creates, in addition to the existing sanction of criminal contempt of court, the remedies of labor law civil penalties and employee's right to bring civil action for unlawful discharge, penalty or discrimination on account of the exercise by an employee of a juror's right to be absent from employment by reason of jury service.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeProtects employees' right to serve on juries, ensuring court system functionality and civil rights within criminal justice framework.85% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentProtects employees from retaliation for jury duty by enabling civil actions and penalties, strengthening workplace rights and employment standards.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Civil Rights Courts

Track

in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 2445: Relates to authorizing courts to reduce or modify sentences for certain individuals when such sentence is deemed excessive

Authorizes courts to reduce or modify sentences upon a motion for certain individuals convicted of a felony in which the sentence is greater than necessary to achieve the purpose of sentencing.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeAuthorizes courts to reduce excessive felony sentences, aligning with sentencing reform to prevent unnecessary incarceration and promote proportionality.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Sentencing

Track

in committee · New York · Senate Jun 12, 2025

S 6897: Requires rates paid for rehabilitation and opioid treatment be pursuant to certain fee schedules published by the office of addiction services and supports

Requires rates paid for rehabilitation and opioid treatment be pursuant to certain fee schedules published by the office of addiction services and supports.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill mandates fee schedules for rehabilitation and opioid treatment, directly supporting criminal justice reform by ensuring structured funding for substance abuse programs that reduce recidivism.90% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates standardized reimbursement rates for opioid/rehab services, ensuring consistent funding and access to critical addiction treatment programs under state oversight.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Drug Policy Substance Abuse

Track

in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 7725: Provides that instructions to the jury shall include certain defenses

Provides that instructions to the jury shall include certain defenses; provides that such instructions shall include, but not be limited to, "Do not let bias, sympathy, prejudice, or public opinion influence your decision"; defines the term "bias".

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeRequires jury instructions to address bias, promoting fair trials and reducing prejudice in verdicts, aligning with criminal justice reform goals.92% confidence

Track

in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 13, 2026

A 697: Prohibits the use of the term "excited delirium" as a diagnosis, label, or cause of death

Prohibits the use of the term "excited delirium" as a diagnosis, label, or cause of death on death certificates, autopsy reports, police reports or any report, policy or procedure by a public agency or contractor; defines excited delirium.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBans 'excited delirium' in death reports to prevent misuse in police accountability cases, aligning with criminal justice reform efforts to reduce officer misconduct justification.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Policing

Track

in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 972: Establishes the "protect our privacy (POP) act" to impose limitations on the use of drones for law enforcement purposes

Establishes the "protect our privacy (POP) act" to impose limitations on the use of drones for law enforcement purposes; prohibits the use of drones by law enforcement at concerts, protests, demonstrations, or other actions protected by the first amendment.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeRestricts drone surveillance at protests (1st Amendment), protecting civil liberties and limiting law enforcement overreach in criminal justice contexts.90% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyBill prohibits law enforcement drone use at protests, protecting privacy rights under First Amendment, aligning with data privacy protection goals.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Law Enforcement

Track

in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 1337: Relates to the processing of evidence related to sexual offenses and the inclusion of such results in the state DNA identification index

Relates to the processing of evidence related to sexual offenses and the inclusion of such results in the state DNA identification index; requires evidence of sexual offenses to be collected and forwarded to any forensic DNA laboratory for testing within the established time frame.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeRequires timely DNA testing for sexual offense evidence, improving case processing efficiency and evidence integrity in criminal justice system.90% confidence

Track

in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 4609: Establishes the crime of doxing a police officer or a peace officer

Establishes the crime of doxing a police officer or a peace officer when a person knowingly makes restricted personal information about a police officer or peace officer, or a member of the immediate family of such officer, publicly available with the intent to threaten, intimidate, or incite the commission of a crime of violence against the police officer or peace officer, or a member of the immediate family of such officer; or with the intent and knowledge that the restricted personal information is likely to be used to threaten, intimidate, or facilitate the commission of a crime of violence against the police officer or peace officer, or a member of the immediate family of such officer.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill creates new offense to protect officers from doxing, strengthening law enforcement safety within criminal justice system.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Policing

Track