Criminal Justice (Courts)

in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 111: Relates to the confidentiality of personnel records of police officers, firefighters, correction officers and probation officers

This bill makes personnel records for police officers, firefighters, correction officers, and probation officers confidential by default. It prohibits public access to these records (used for performance reviews or promotions) without the officer's written consent, except under strict court orders. Judges must review requests for access, require a clear factual showing, and allow affected officers to be heard before granting access. The law explicitly allows prosecutors, law enforcement agencies, and courts to access records for official duties without consent.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeRestricts public access to officer personnel records without consent, weakening transparency and oversight in law enforcement accountability efforts.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts Policing Probation & Parole

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passed both · New York · Assembly Apr 29, 2026

A 4871: Establishes the chief administrator of the courts shall submit annually a report on the Drug Treatment Court Program during the preceding year

Establishes the chief administrator of the courts shall submit annually a report on the administration, function and effectiveness of the Drug Treatment Court Program during the preceding year.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeMandates annual reporting on Drug Treatment Court effectiveness, promoting program evaluation and potential reform within criminal justice92% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts

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in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 8689: Relates to unsealing unfounded child abuse and maltreatment reports in certain circumstances

Relates to unsealing unfounded child abuse and maltreatment reports upon a court order finding that justice requires the information in such reports is necessary for the determination of charges being investigated by a grand jury or for the purposes of prosecuting a violation of the penal law or otherwise necessary for the furtherance of justice.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill unseals unfounded child abuse reports for criminal proceedings, ensuring necessary information is available for justice, aligning with criminal justice reform principles.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts

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in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 2380: Disallows the suspension or revocation of a domestic violence victim's driver's license or registration for non-payment or lapse of insurance coverage

Disallows the suspension or revocation of a domestic violence victim's driver's license or registration for non-payment or lapse of insurance coverage upon a proper showing of current insurance and a court order or attorney affirmation that such individual is in fact a victim of domestic violence.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticePrevents license suspension for domestic violence victims, removing barriers to accessing courts/services and aligning with victim protection in criminal justice reform.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts Domestic Violence

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in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 7174: Provides for monitoring persons who are pedophiles and both level 3 sex offenders and sexual predators or predicate sex offenders with global positioning system

Provides for monitoring of persons who are pedophiles and both level 3 sex offenders and sexual predators or predicate sex offenders with global positioning system; establishes that the period will be determined by court; provides for the right to appeal, right to modify or terminate order and right to counsel.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill mandates GPS monitoring for sex offenders, strengthening law enforcement tools within criminal justice framework without reducing rights or reform focus.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts

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in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 4167: Relates to medicaid eligibility for youth leaving court ordered placement

This bill (S 4167) automatically grants Medicaid eligibility to youth exiting foster care in New York State. Specifically, it makes youth placed under certain Family Court Act sections (353.3 or 353.5) presumptively eligible for Medicaid starting the day they are released from court-ordered placement. This automatic eligibility lasts for up to 60 days or until a formal Medicaid determination is made, whichever comes first. During this period, medical care provided by eligible providers counts as Medicaid-covered services. The bill aims to ensure continuous health coverage for vulnerable youth transitioning out of foster care.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill provides automatic Medicaid for youth exiting court-ordered placement, supporting reentry and reducing recidivism risk. This aligns with criminal justice reform goals of improving rehabilitation outcomes.90% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareAutomatically grants Medicaid eligibility to foster youth upon release, expanding health coverage access without barriers for a vulnerable population.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts Medicaid

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in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 7293: Relates to the rights of former outpatients of mental health facilities to have files sealed after ten years

Authorizes former outpatients of mental health facilities to request a court of competent jurisdiction to render an order to have their files sealed when more than ten years have elapsed since the last treatment in such facility, they are not currently being treated for mental illness and it would be in the best interests of the petitioner and society to seal such record without the requirement of a special proceeding.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeSealing mental health records aids reintegration, reducing barriers to employment and housing - aligning with criminal justice reform goals to lower recidivism and protect civil rights.85% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill protects mental health patient rights by enabling record sealing after 10 years, aligning with patient privacy safeguards in healthcare.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts Mental Health

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in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 7371: Relates to civil rights remedies restoration

This bill allows individuals to sue the state directly for violations of specific federal civil rights laws, such as the ADA, Title IX, and the Civil Rights Act. It waives the state's sovereign immunity (meaning the state can be sued) for these violations and sets a minimum $4,000 damage award for each offense, covering both monetary losses and non-monetary harms like emotional distress. The law applies to state programs receiving federal funding and permits claims in any competent court, without limiting existing state law remedies. It directly affects people whose civil rights were allegedly violated by state actions under the covered federal laws.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill enables lawsuits against state for civil rights violations (ADA, Title IX), enhancing accountability and protecting rights in state programs.92% confidence

Sub-Topics Civil Rights Courts

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in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 3158: Requires the court to require a mental health evaluation when a person is convicted of certain crimes pertaining to animal fighting and aggravated cruelty to animals

Requires the court to require a mental health evaluation when a person is convicted of certain crimes pertaining to animal fighting and aggravated cruelty to animals; requires the convicted person to assume the costs of any evaluation and continued therapy; makes related provisions.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeRequires mental health evaluations for animal cruelty offenders, promoting rehabilitation over punishment and aligning with criminal justice reform goals.85% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates mental health evaluations and therapy for convicted individuals, directly supporting mental health services through court-ordered assessments and treatment requirements.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts

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in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 2303: Requires probation, investigation and diagnostic assessment of certain juvenile delinquents with discernible handicapping conditions prior to dispositional hearings

Provides that prior to a dispositional hearing the judge shall order a probation investigation and a diagnostic assessment of a juvenile delinquent whom the court reasonably finds, on the record, to have a demonstrable need for a remediation of a discernible handicapping condition; allows judges to refer custody through various state agencies for placement into programs under protocol and funding provisions currently in existence.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeRequires assessments and referrals for juvenile offenders with disabilities to promote rehabilitation over punishment, aligning with criminal justice reform goals.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts Judges Juvenile Justice

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