Criminal Justice (Policing)

in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 8485: Relates to criminal impersonation in the first degree

This bill (S 8485) expands New York's criminal impersonation law to specifically include impersonating a firefighter. It makes it a class E felony to pretend to be a firefighter (or wear their uniform without authorization) while obstructing emergency personnel during life-threatening situations like fires, explosions, or toxic gas incidents. The law directly affects individuals who falsely pose as firefighters to interfere with emergency responses. This amendment clarifies that such impersonation during critical emergencies will be prosecuted under the same felony charge as impersonating police or federal officers.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeExpands criminal penalties for impersonating firefighters during emergencies to protect emergency personnel, strengthening public safety enforcement.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Policing

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in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 4201: Relates to stalking a police officer, peace officer, correction officer or firefighter

Establishes the crime of stalking a police officer, peace officer, correction officer or firefighter to include intent to harass, annoy or alarm a police officer, peace officer, correction officer, firefighter or an immediate family member of a police officer, peace officer, correction officer or firefighter, intentionally engaging in a course of conduct directed at such person which is likely to cause such person to reasonably fear physical injury or serious physical injury, the commission of a sex offense against, or the kidnapping, unlawful imprisonment or death of such person or a member of such person's immediate family.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeExpands criminalization by establishing stalking of officers as a new crime, aligning with 'oppose' indicators.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Domestic Violence Policing

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vetoed · New York · Assembly Dec 19, 2025

A 3516: Relates to enacting the "keep police radio public act"

Enacts the "keep police radio public act"; ensures that, except for sensitive information, all radio communications are accessible to emergency services organizations and professional journalists.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill mandates public access to police radio comms (except sensitive info), enhancing transparency and accountability in law enforcement, aligning with criminal justice reform indicators.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Policing

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in committee · New York · Assembly Sep 8, 2025

A 3836: Relates to the completion of training requirements for sheriffs and undersheriffs

Relates to the completion of training requirements for sheriffs and undersheriffs; directs the municipal police training council to promulgate rules and regulations relating to qualification for municipal police forces for persons who were previously sworn members of the state police and to provide certificates to such persons who meet such qualifications.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeRequires training standards for sheriffs, enhancing law enforcement professionalism and accountability.80% confidence

Sub-Topics Law Enforcement Policing

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in committee · New York · Senate May 21, 2026

S 2446: Establishes a wound care kit and xylazine test strip distribution

Establishes a wound care kit and xylazine test strip distribution program to supply wound care kits designed for the treatment of injection-related wounds and skin and soft tissue infections, and xylazine test strips, to individuals with a substance use disorder or who are otherwise at risk of drug use, free of charge; prohibits facilities from collecting personally identifying information on such individuals; prohibits police from targeting individuals receiving wound care kits or xylazine test strips under such program.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticePromotes harm reduction for substance use, reduces criminalization by prohibiting police targeting of recipients, aligns with reform goals of diverting from punitive measures.85% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill provides free wound care kits and xylazine test strips for substance use disorder patients, directly improving access to treatment for injection-related wounds and infections, aligning with healthcare access and public health support.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Policing Substance Abuse

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signed · New York · Senate Dec 5, 2025

S 946: Authorizes the removal of police officer candidates from an eligible list when such candidate does not meet psychological fitness requirements or lacks good moral character standards

Authorizes the removal of police officer candidates from an eligible list when such candidate does not meet psychological fitness requirements or lacks good moral character standards.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill enforces stricter psychological and moral standards for police candidates, enhancing officer fitness and accountability in law enforcement.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Policing

in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 8719: Establishes a blue envelope program for persons with mental health disorders, behavioral disorders and persons who are neurodivergent

Establishes a blue envelope program for persons with mental health disorders, behavioral disorders and persons who are neurodivergent to be provided with blue envelopes to keep their identification, vehicle registration, and other related documents to improve their safety during law enforcement interactions; requires the municipal police training council to promulgate rules and regulations requiring training and instruction for all police officers with respect to the blue envelope program.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill creates safety protocol for vulnerable individuals during police interactions via blue envelopes and mandates officer training, directly improving law enforcement engagement under criminal justice reform.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Policing

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in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 4455: Establishes a tax credit for taxpayers who donate equipment or materials to first responder live training programs

This bill creates a tax credit for taxpayers who donate equipment or materials to first responder training programs. The credit equals the donated items' value (up to $3,000 per tax year) for programs involving police, fire, emergency services, or hospital staff using real-world scenario training outdoors. Donors must provide proof of the donation's value, the training's occurrence, and that the recipient organization requested the items. The credit applies to donations made during the tax year, with documentation requirements to verify eligibility.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill creates tax credit (up to $3k) for donations to first responder training, reducing taxable income - direct tax relief supporting public safety funding.90% confidence ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill provides tax credit for equipment donations to police/fire training programs, directly funding first responder capacity within criminal justice system.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Tax Credits Tax Incentives Policing

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in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 6831: Relates to requiring a police officer or a district attorney to apply for a court order to compel a chemical test to determine blood alcohol content in certain cases

Requires court-ordered blood alcohol content testing for all drivers involved in fatal and serious physical injury accidents where there is a reasonable cause to believe an alcohol-related offense has been committed; provides exception when seeking court order would unduly interfere with emergency medical assistance or other necessary services at incident scene.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeRequires court order for BAC testing, adding judicial oversight to protect civil rights during DUI investigations, aligning with accountability indicators.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts Policing

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passed · New York · Senate Jun 1, 2026

S 8059: Establishes a blue envelope program for persons with mental health disorders, behavioral disorders and persons who are neurodivergent

Establishes a blue envelope program for persons with mental health disorders, behavioral disorders and persons who are neurodivergent to be provided with blue envelopes to keep their identification, vehicle registration, and other related documents to improve their safety during law enforcement interactions; requires the municipal police training council to promulgate rules and regulations requiring training and instruction for all police officers with respect to the blue envelope program.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeProvides blue envelopes for vulnerable individuals during police interactions, requiring officer training to enhance safety and reduce harm - promotes reform in law enforcement practices92% confidence

Sub-Topics Policing

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