Criminal Justice (Victims' Rights)

in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 9035: Establishes a task force on victim services reimbursements

This bill creates a 12-member task force to study and improve how New York reimburses victim services providers - specifically nonprofits supporting victims of domestic violence, trafficking, and other harms. The task force will examine current reimbursement rates, funding models, and regulations that make it difficult for these organizations to sustain operations. It must hold public hearings across the state and submit two reports (within 1 year and 2 years) with recommendations to modernize the funding system. The task force’s work will inform future legislative proposals but does not change funding directly.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill creates task force to improve victim services reimbursement rates for nonprofits aiding crime victims, directly supporting victim assistance within criminal justice system.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Domestic Violence Human Trafficking Victims' Rights

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in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 6343: Relates to allowing courts to consider a principal's threat to public safety when determining bail

Allows courts to consider whether a principal poses a current physical danger to the safety of any crime victim, person or the community when determining bail.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill allows courts to consider public safety threats in bail decisions, aligning with criminal justice reform goals of community protection and victim safety.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Victims' Rights

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in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 4238: Adjusts the compensation of formerly incarcerated individuals who were unjustly convicted

Retroactively adjusts the compensation of formerly incarcerated individuals who were unjustly convicted; exempts such adjusted income from state income taxes.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesExempts adjusted compensation from state income taxes, providing tax relief for beneficiaries per bill summary.95% confidence ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill compensates unjustly convicted individuals, directly advancing criminal justice reform by addressing wrongful convictions and protecting civil rights.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Victims' Rights

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in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 390: Permits at the discretion of the court certain members of the victim's family to read statements in court during the sentencing of a defendant

Permits at the discretion of the court certain members of the deceased victim's family to read statements in court during the sentencing of a defendant, rather than allowing only a single member of the victim's family to read a statement in court, upon consultation with counsel for the defendant and the people.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeExpands victim impact statements during sentencing, enhancing victim voice in criminal justice proceedings per reform-focused victim advocacy principles.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts Sentencing Victims' Rights

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in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 9243: Increases the crime victim assistance fee, creates a crime victim's lien and creates a crime victim's assistance account

Increases the mandatory surcharge and the crime victim's assistance fee which is levied upon any person convicted of a crime or violation in this state; creates a crime victim's lien which allows such recovery against a convicted offender in the amount of the unpaid portion of the mandatory surcharge or the crime victim's assistance fee; creates a crime victim's assistance account.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill increases victim fees and creates lien/restitution system, directly funding victim assistance within criminal justice framework per bill summary.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Victims' Rights

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in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 5019: Relates to the discharging of certain sentences

This bill (S 5019) expands eligibility for early sentence termination by making **all felony convictions** eligible for discharge, removing prior restrictions that excluded certain felonies under New York's Penal Law. It directly affects individuals serving felony sentences under community supervision who have completed **three consecutive years** without revocation. The parole board may grant discharge if it determines this is in society's best interest, provided the person has made a good-faith effort to pay restitution, fees, and surcharges. The discharge ends the sentence entirely for the affected offense, with no automatic eligibility. This changes the current law by removing exclusions for specific felony types.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeExpands early sentence termination to all felonies, removing restrictions, promoting rehabilitation and reducing recidivism through broader eligibility for discharge.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Probation & Parole Sentencing Victims' Rights

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in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 142: Increases from twenty-four to sixty months, the time for which reconsideration for parole for a violent felony offense shall be determined

Enacts "Lorraine's Law"; increases from twenty-four to sixty months, the time for which reconsideration for parole for a violent felony offense shall be determined.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeExtends parole reconsideration period for violent offenders, restricting early release and increasing sentence length per bill's explicit language.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Probation & Parole Victims' Rights Violent Crime

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in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 4645: Requires unanimous agreement by the parole board to release incarcerated individuals on parole

S 4645 requires New York's parole board to unanimously agree before releasing an incarcerated person on parole, replacing previous majority-vote rules. If denied, the board must provide a detailed, written explanation of the denial within two weeks and set a reconsideration date within 24 months. Upon release, individuals receive parole conditions including restitution collection details and a notice that voting rights will be restored. This bill directly affects incarcerated people seeking parole and alters the board's decision-making process under New York's executive law.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeRequires unanimous parole board agreement, making release harder than previous majority rule. Restricts inmate release, opposing criminal justice reform efforts to reduce incarceration.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Civil Rights Probation & Parole Victims' Rights

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in committee · New York · Senate Apr 21, 2026

S 1644: Provides for a right to representation by counsel for certain actions of the parole board

Provides for a right to representation by counsel in any proceeding where an incarcerated individual is under consideration for release on parole and where such incarcerated individual is financially unable to retain counsel.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeGuarantees legal counsel for indigent parole seekers, directly protecting defendant rights in criminal justice proceedings.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Probation & Parole Victims' Rights

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in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 7174: Adjusts the compensation of formerly incarcerated individuals who were unjustly convicted

Retroactively adjusts the compensation of formerly incarcerated individuals who were unjustly convicted; exempts such adjusted income from state income taxes.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesExempts retroactive compensation from state income tax, providing direct tax relief to affected individuals per bill's summary.95% confidence ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeCompensates wrongfully convicted individuals, advancing criminal justice reform by addressing systemic errors and protecting civil rights.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Victims' Rights

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