Criminal Justice

in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 5862: Relates to the storage of evidence by law enforcement agencies

Requires law enforcement agencies to store physical or other evidence it maintains within fireproof containers or within a fireproof storage area; requires law enforcement agencies to document and photograph evidence before it is stored in a fireproof container or storage area; requires that such documents and photographs be stored in a different location.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeRequires fireproof evidence storage and documentation to prevent loss, supporting case integrity and fair trials in criminal justice proceedings.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Law Enforcement

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in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 9186: Relates to the admissibility of evidence of a victim's sexual conduct, sexual predisposition, or manner of dress

Prohibits the introduction of evidence of a victim's sexual conduct, sexual predisposition, or manner of dress; defines "sexual conduct"; requires the motion, related materials, and the record of the hearing be and remain sealed.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeProhibits prejudicial victim evidence, aligning with victim rights and fair trial reforms in criminal justice proceedings.95% confidence

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in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 4917: Relates to prohibiting the use of chemical agents by police officers against minors

This bill prohibits New York police officers from using chemical agents, such as pepper spray or tear gas, against minors under the age of 18 in any circumstance. It requires all police departments to update their use-of-force policies to explicitly ban such chemical agents when interacting with minors. The law takes effect immediately and directly affects police officers and departments across New York, as well as minors under 18 who may encounter law enforcement. This change modifies existing policy requirements without altering other aspects of police conduct.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBans police use of chemical agents against minors, protecting vulnerable populations and enhancing officer accountability under criminal justice protocols.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Policing

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in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 4443: Relates to the residence of a sex offender near a school and the victim of such offender

This bill restricts where certain sex offenders can live. It prohibits Level 3 sex offenders (with victims under 18) from residing within school grounds as defined by law, and bans all Level 2 and 3 offenders from living within a quarter mile of a victim's workplace or residence (or a deceased victim's former home if family members still live there). These restrictions apply to offenders under supervision or probation and must be included in court release conditions. The law aims to limit offender proximity to schools and victims, with guidelines requiring local probation departments to consider factors like neighborhood concentration of offenders and access to treatment programs. It directly affects sex offenders designated Level 2 or 3 under New York's registration system.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeRestricts sex offender residency near schools/victims to enhance public safety and prevent recidivism, aligning with victim protection and community safety goals in criminal justice reform.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts Probation & Parole

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in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 5170: Establishes the crime of sexual abuse against a patient or client by a health care provider in the first and second degree

Establishes the crime of sexual abuse against a patient or client by a health care provider in the first and second degree; designates such crimes as being class B and E felonies, respectively.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeCreates new felony for health care provider sexual abuse, enhancing accountability and victim protection within criminal justice framework.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill criminalizes healthcare provider sexual abuse, protecting patient rights and safety within healthcare services, aligning with patient protection indicators.95% confidence

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in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 4246: Provides for the return of fines, restitution and reparation payments where there was an unjust conviction

Provides for the return of fines, restitution and reparation payments and any interest thereon where a defendant is subsequently pardoned upon the ground of innocence or the conviction is reversed or vacated.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeReturns fines/restitution to wrongfully convicted, directly protecting civil rights and advancing criminal justice reform by correcting systemic errors.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Victims' Rights

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in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 4755: Provides that people arrested in connection with felonies relating to sex offenses where the victim is less than 13 years old must submit a DNA sample

This bill requires individuals arrested for specific sex offenses against victims under 13 years old to provide a DNA sample at the time of arrest. It directly affects people charged with felonies listed in New York's penal law involving child sexual abuse. The law mandates DNA collection unless the person already has a sample in the state DNA database, and includes procedures for courts to order sample collection if refused. It also establishes safeguards to expunge DNA records if charges are dismissed, convictions are overturned, or the case results in a non-DNA-collecting outcome.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeMandates DNA collection for child sex offense arrests, strengthening evidence gathering for prosecution per criminal justice enforcement protocols.95% confidence

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in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 2664: Relates to emergency intervention for persons impaired by chemical substances

This bill amends New York's mental hygiene law to establish clear protocols for emergency intervention when someone is impaired by alcohol or substances and poses a risk of harm to themselves or others. It defines key terms like "incapacitated" and sets strict requirements: police or authorized personnel may transport such individuals to designated treatment facilities, where they must receive a medical evaluation within 12 hours and can be held for no more than 72 hours without consent. The law mandates safety measures during transport, requires discharge planning, and ensures individuals are released immediately if they no longer meet the impairment criteria. It directly affects people experiencing acute substance impairment, emergency responders, and certified treatment facilities.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill diverts substance-impaired individuals to treatment facilities instead of criminal processing, aligning with reform goals by prioritizing medical evaluation over incarceration and reducing potential criminal justice system involvement.92% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareEstablishes mandatory medical evaluations within 12 hours for substance-impaired individuals, creating structured access to treatment facilities and strengthening emergency mental health intervention protocols.92% confidence

Sub-Topics Policing Substance Abuse

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in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 1604: Relates to the provision of criminal history background checks free of charge to mentoring programs operated by not-for-profit corporations

This bill eliminates processing fees for criminal history background checks required by mentoring programs operated by non-profit organizations. It directly affects qualifying non-profit mentoring programs and their volunteer mentors by removing a $25 fee (plus $50 surcharge) that previously applied. The key mechanism amends existing laws to require state agencies to provide these checks free of charge when requested by eligible programs. This change applies specifically to programs meeting the defined criteria under New York's social services law, such as those run by incorporated non-profits or educational institutions.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeRemoves fees for background checks enabling non-profit mentoring programs, supporting youth engagement and rehabilitation efforts aligned with criminal justice reform.90% confidence

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in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 4973: Relates to authorizing voting by incarcerated individuals in correctional facilities; repealer

Relates to authorizing voting by incarcerated individuals in correctional facilities; requires the department of corrections and community supervision, in collaboration with the state and county boards of election, to establish a program to facilitate incarcerated individuals voter registration and voting.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill authorizes voting for incarcerated individuals, advancing criminal justice reform by expanding civil rights and promoting reintegration through voting access.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Probation & Parole

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