Criminal Justice

in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 4169: Prohibits level 2 and 3 sex offenders from residing within 1,500 feet of their victim or school grounds; also prohibits such offenders from attending school activities

Prohibits level 2 and 3 sex offenders from residing within 1,500 feet of their victim or school grounds; prohibits such offenders from attending or participating in school sponsored activities.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeRestricts sex offender residency and school access, expanding criminalization and limiting offender rights without reform focus90% confidence

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in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 7301: Relates to desecration of property commemorating a historical figure

This bill makes intentionally damaging or stealing commemorative property (like monuments, markers, or street signs) honoring historically significant figures a class C felony. It directly affects anyone who damages such property without legal right or reasonable belief in their right to do so. Key provisions define the offense as requiring intent to damage or steal, covering all property related to figures with historical or cultural significance, whether living or deceased. The law specifies a felony penalty for these actions, effective November 1 following enactment.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeBill creates new felony for damaging historical monuments, expanding criminalization without reform context or alignment with criminal justice reform indicators.90% confidence

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in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 5544: Provides for a sex offender registry check for youth organization volunteers who have direct contact with youths under the age of 18

This bill requires youth organizations (like sports leagues, clubs, or religious groups that use volunteers to supervise children) to conduct sex offender registry checks before allowing volunteers with direct contact with youth under 18 to serve. Organizations must check the statewide registry using a specific phone number before a volunteer begins, inform the volunteer about the check, and give them the option to withdraw before the check is done. Organizations cannot allow individuals listed on the registry to volunteer in roles involving direct youth contact, and must complete initial checks for all current volunteers by January 1, 2026. Violations carry small civil penalties ($100 for first offense, up to $200 for repeat offenses).

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill mandates sex offender registry checks for youth volunteers, preventing potential crimes against minors. This aligns with criminal justice reform by enhancing community safety and victim protection through proactive prevention.95% confidence

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in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 3454: Establishes criminal offenses committed against the elderly or disabled persons

This bill (S 3454) creates new criminal offenses specifically targeting abuse of elderly and disabled individuals in New York. It defines "vulnerable elderly" (60+ with age-related functional limitations) and "disabled" (with substantial life activity impairments), and establishes two key offenses: abandonment (a class E felony) and endangerment of welfare (a class A misdemeanor) when caregivers fail to prevent harm. The bill also includes a legal presumption that offenders intentionally targeted victims due to their age or disability. These provisions directly affect caregivers, family members, and others legally responsible for the care of vulnerable seniors and disabled adults.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeCreates new criminal offenses for abuse of vulnerable populations, strengthening legal protections under criminal justice framework95% confidence

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in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 1205: Increases certain penalties for violating the prohibition of animal fighting and for aggravated cruelty to animals

Increases certain penalties for violating the prohibition of animal fighting and for aggravated cruelty to animals; requires a psychiatric evaluation for defendants convicted of aggravated cruelty to animals.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeIncreases penalties for animal cruelty, aligning with 'increases mandatory sentences' indicator under oppose stance92% confidence

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in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 6325: Relates to proceedings involving adolescent offenders and the possession or use of weapons

Relates to proceedings involving adolescent offenders and the possession or use of weapons; provides for the access of applicable records; expands the meaning of extraordinary circumstances to include when the defendant is accused of an offense involving the use, possession, or display of a firearm, shotgun, rifle or other deadly weapon.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeExpands criminalization of weapon offenses by adolescent offenders, increasing court proceedings over diversion programs per expanded 'extraordinary circumstances' definition.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Drug Policy Firearms Juvenile Justice

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in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 7081: Authorizes the state inspector general to receive and investigate complaints of sexual assault in correctional facilities

Authorizes the state inspector general to receive and investigate complaints of sexual assault in correctional facilities and other places operated by the department of corrections and community supervision for the confinement of persons; requires the state inspector general to establish protocol and procedures for such reports and investigations.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeAuthorizes inspector general to investigate sexual assault in prisons, enhancing oversight and protecting inmate rights in correctional facilities.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Probation & Parole Violent Crime

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in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 337: Allows municipal commissions to use alternate lists for filling vacancies with resident and non-resident minority group members and women in order to achieve diversity in police departments

Allows municipal commissions to use alternate lists for filling vacancies with resident and non-resident minority group members and women in order to achieve diversity in police departments.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill promotes police department diversity via alternate hiring lists, aligning with criminal justice reform goals of equity and accountability in law enforcement staffing.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Policing

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in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 4785: Relates to the provision of criminal history background checks free of charge to mentoring programs operated by not-for-profit corporations

This bill waives the $25 processing fee for criminal history background checks required by mentoring programs operated by not-for-profit corporations. It requires these programs to collect fingerprints but eliminates the standard fee they would otherwise pay to the state. The exemption applies specifically to formal mentoring programs matching youth with adult volunteers for developmental support, as defined in the law. This directly affects qualifying not-for-profit mentoring organizations seeking background checks for volunteers or staff.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeWaives background check fees for youth mentoring programs, supporting prevention-focused criminal justice reform by reducing barriers to volunteer participation in developmental support.85% confidence

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in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 6880: Relates to aggravated cruelty to animals during an incident of domestic violence

This bill increases penalties for aggravated cruelty to animals when committed during a domestic violence incident. It raises the maximum prison sentence from two years to four years for offenders who harm animals during domestic violence, including the period of tension before or stress after the violence. The law directly affects individuals convicted of animal cruelty who also commit domestic violence, as defined by state law. The change applies to specific acts of animal cruelty committed in the context of domestic violence, not general animal cruelty cases.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeIncreases maximum prison sentence from 2 to 4 years for animal cruelty during domestic violence, aligning with 'increases mandatory sentences' indicator.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Domestic Violence

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