Criminal Justice

passed · New York · Senate Feb 3, 2026

S 518: Requires the inclusion of cultural competency training in the basic training and pre-employment course curricula for police, firefighters, correction officers and first responders

Requires the inclusion of cultural competency training in the basic training and pre-employment course curricula for state police officers and municipal police officers and sheriffs, members of fire departments and companies, corrections officers, first responders, emergency medical technicians and advanced emergency medical technicians.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeRequires diversity training for law enforcement, promoting accountability and reducing bias - key criminal justice reform measures.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Policing

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in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 2434: Relates to the crimes of bribery and abuse of public trust

This bill amends New York's penal law to update bribery and abuse of public trust offenses. It lowers the monetary threshold for second-degree bribery from $5,000 to $1,000 (making it a class C felony) and raises the first-degree threshold from $100,000 to $3,000 for certain crimes. The bill also creates a new "abuse of public trust" category (Article 196) for public servants who misuse their position to facilitate or conceal felony offenses. These changes directly affect public servants and individuals offering benefits to influence their official actions, increasing penalties for bribery and misuse of public office.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill lowers bribery thresholds for felony charges and creates new abuse of public trust offense, strengthening accountability for public officials in criminal justice system.90% confidence

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in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 1463: Abolishes citizens arrests; repealer

This bill eliminates New York State's legal allowance for ordinary citizens to make arrests without police involvement. It specifically repeals sections of the criminal procedure law and penal law that previously permitted private individuals to use physical force (including deadly force in limited cases) to arrest people suspected of committing certain felonies like robbery or murder. The change directly affects citizens who might have attempted to detain someone for a crime, removing their legal authority to do so. It does not impact police arrest powers but restricts this practice to law enforcement only. The bill takes immediate effect upon enactment.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeRepeals citizen arrest provisions, reducing potential misuse of force and enhancing accountability in criminal procedure90% confidence

Sub-Topics Policing Violent Crime

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in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 5076: Relates to the prohibition on certain databases and registries

Provides that no state or local agency, or any agent thereof, may use any funds, facilities, property, equipment or personnel of such agency to investigate, enforce or provide assistance in the investigation or enforcement of any federal program requiring registration of individuals, or maintaining a database of individuals, on the basis of race, color, creed, gender, sexual orientation, religion or national or ethnic origin.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeProhibits discriminatory data collection by law enforcement based on protected characteristics, aligning with civil rights protections in criminal justice reform.95% confidence ✓ ImmigrationSupports ImmigrationBill prohibits state/local agencies from assisting federal programs requiring registration based on national/ethnic origin, limiting cooperation with federal enforcement.90% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyProhibits databases tracking protected characteristics, enhancing data privacy protections by restricting discriminatory data collection.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Enforcement Sanctuary Policies

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in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 150: Allows lifetime orders of protection in certain cases

This bill amends New York law to allow courts to issue **lifetime orders of protection** when the respondent is convicted of specific violent felonies, including sexual assault under Penal Law sections 255.25-255.27 or felonies in Penal Law articles 120, 125, 130, 135, or 263 (or attempts to commit them). Previously, such orders had fixed time limits (up to 8 years), but this change adds "lifetime" as a duration option for these high-risk cases. The law directly affects victims of domestic violence or abuse where the perpetrator received one of these felony convictions. It does not apply to lesser offenses or non-felony cases.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeExtends lifetime protection for victims of violent felonies, enhancing victim safety and aligning with criminal justice reform priorities.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Domestic Violence Violent Crime

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passed · New York · Senate Apr 27, 2026

S 4470: Establishes "DJ's law" requiring training for police officers on discharging a firearm at a moving vehicle

Enacts "DJ's law" which requires training for police officers on discharging a firearm at a moving vehicle; requires the municipal police training council to develop and disseminate written policies and procedures regarding such force.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeMandates police training and written policies on firearm use at moving vehicles, enhancing officer accountability and reducing force misuse per criminal justice reform indicators.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Firearms Law Enforcement Policing

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in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 5617: Relates to amending the New York City Charter in relation to expanding the investigative scope of the Civilian Complaint Review Board

This bill expands the Civilian Complaint Review Board's (CCRB) authority to investigate complaints against NYPD officers alleging bias-based profiling. It specifically adds to the CCRB's jurisdiction complaints involving bias based on race, ethnicity, religion, gender, sexual orientation, disability, or other protected characteristics - such as when officers target individuals based on these factors rather than behavior. The bill also requires the CCRB to investigate the truthfulness of official police statements made during complaint resolutions and mandates that findings cannot rely solely on unsworn complaints or prior unsubstantiated claims. This directly affects NYPD officers, the public filing complaints, and the CCRB's investigative process.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeExpands CCRB authority to investigate bias-based policing complaints, enhancing police accountability and aligning with criminal justice reform goals.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Policing

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in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 7790: Establishes the commission on public officer investigation

Establishes the commission on public officer investigation; provides for an independent commission to review matters concerning the public peace, public safety and public justice and the alleged commission of an indictable offense by certain public officials; provides that after such review, if the commission has found a substantial basis to conclude that a violation of the law has occurred, the commission shall authorize a full investigation by the attorney general.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeCreates independent commission to review public official misconduct, enhancing law enforcement accountability and oversight per bill's focus on 'public justice' and 'indictable offenses'.95% confidence

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in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 321: Requires the parole board to grant parole to incarcerated individuals who successfully participate in a temporary release program without interruption immediately prior to appearance before the board

Requires the parole board to grant parole to incarcerated individuals who successfully participate in a temporary release program for two years without interruption immediately prior to appearance before the board.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeRequires parole for successful completion of two-year release program, promoting rehabilitation and reducing recidivism through structured reintegration.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Probation & Parole

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in committee · New York · Senate Jun 6, 2025

S 7546: Requires the district attorney to mail disposition of criminal felony trial to any crime victim not present at time defendant sentenced or acquitted after completion of trial

Requires that following the acquittal after trial or the sentencing of any defendant for a felony, the district attorney, or their designee, shall mail a written summary of the disposition of such felony to any victim who was not present at the time that the defendant was sentenced or acquitted after trial.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeRequires district attorneys to notify victims of felony trial outcomes, advancing victim rights protection in criminal justice process.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Sentencing Victims' Rights

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