Criminal Justice (Domestic Violence)

in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 4079: Establishes the crime of coercive control

Relates to establishing the crime of coercive control; provides that a person is guilty of coercive control when such person engages in a course of conduct against a member of such person's same family or household, without the victim's consent, which results in limiting or restricting, in full or in part, the victim's behavior, movement, associations or access to or use of such victim's own finances or financial information; provides that coercive control is a class E felony.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeCreates new class E felony for coercive control, strengthening victim protections and aligning with criminal justice reform to address intimate partner violence.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Domestic Violence

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in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 4497: Relates to enhancing penalties and protecting victims of crimes of domestic violence

This bill increases penalties for repeat domestic violence offenses by elevating certain crimes to class E felonies when perpetrators have prior convictions for specific offenses (like harassment, assault, or stalking) within the last ten years and are in the same household or family as the victim. It amends New York Penal Law sections to define "same family or household" consistently and specifies qualifying prior crimes, including stalking, strangulation, and harassment offenses. The changes directly affect domestic violence perpetrators with prior convictions and strengthen legal protections for victims by imposing stricter penalties for repeat offenses. The bill does not create new victim services but modifies criminal sentencing structures for domestic violence cases.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeIncreases penalties for repeat domestic violence offenders to protect victims, aligning with criminal justice reform that strengthens victim protections through enhanced sentencing.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Domestic Violence Sentencing Violent Crime

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failed · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 4206: Requires courts to consider whether an individual poses a risk or threat of physical danger to the safety of any person or the community when imposing a securing order

Requires courts to consider whether an individual poses a risk or threat of physical danger to the safety of any person or the community when imposing a securing order; makes stalking in the second and third degree a qualifying offense; makes related provisions.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeRequires courts to assess actual danger risk before imposing securing orders, promoting due process and preventing unwarranted restrictions on individuals, aligning with civil rights protection in criminal justice reform.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Domestic Violence

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in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 3117: Provides that persons arrested for domestic violence forfeit bail when violating an order of protection

This bill requires individuals arrested for domestic violence to forfeit any bail they've posted if they later violate an existing order of protection. It applies specifically to people charged with domestic violence offenses who break court-issued protection orders, including those from New York courts or other states/tribes. The law automatically takes away the bail money without needing a separate court hearing. This directly affects individuals arrested for domestic violence who disregard protection orders, changing the consequence of violating those orders from potential additional penalties to losing their bail.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill enforces accountability for domestic violence offenders violating protection orders by automatically forfeiting bail, strengthening enforcement mechanisms within criminal justice system.92% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts Domestic Violence

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in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 3090: Creates a "purple alert system" for missing victims of domestic violence

This bill creates a statewide "purple alert system" to rapidly notify the public when a domestic violence victim (who has voluntarily opted in) goes missing. It requires law enforcement to report such cases to a designated state coordinator, who then activates the alert through participating media, highway message signs, and other channels. The system mandates strict privacy protections (including HIPAA compliance) and includes specific protocols for verifying cases, issuing alerts, and terminating them once the victim is found or the case resolves. The alert system directly affects participating domestic violence victims, law enforcement agencies, and media entities that volunteer to broadcast the alerts.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill creates a victim protection system for domestic violence missing persons with privacy safeguards, enhancing law enforcement response and aligning with criminal justice reform goals of victim safety and accountability.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Domestic Violence Victims' Rights

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in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 7179: Authorizes use of closed-circuit television for the testimony of domestic violence victim witnesses in a criminal proceeding

Authorizes use of closed-circuit television for the testimony of domestic violence victim witnesses in a criminal proceeding subject to the same restrictions as are applicable to child witnesses.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeAuthorizes closed-circuit TV for domestic violence victims, protecting witness safety and facilitating testimony in criminal proceedings - aligns with victim-centered justice reforms.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Domestic Violence Victims' Rights

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in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 7360: Provides for orders of protection for harassment

This bill (S 7360) standardizes the duration of court-issued protective orders for harassment victims after criminal convictions. It requires courts to set specific time limits for these orders based on the offense type: up to 8 years for felony sexual assault convictions, up to 5 years for certain class A misdemeanors, and up to 2 years for other offenses. Courts must also state on record why they issued or denied such orders when a temporary order was previously granted. The bill directly affects defendants convicted of harassment-related crimes and the courts issuing protective orders in those cases.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill standardizes protective order durations and requires court justification, enhancing victim protection and transparency in criminal proceedings. Aligns with supporting civil rights and accountability in criminal justice.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts Domestic Violence Violent Crime

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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 · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 4461: Repeals certain provisions of the criminal procedure law, judiciary law and the executive law and makes conforming changes thereto; repealer

This bill (S 4461) changes how police handle arrests and releases for certain offenses. It replaces old rules allowing officers to issue "appearance tickets" instead of making arrests with new criteria, specifying 11 situations where an arrest is required (e.g., hate crimes, family violence, or outstanding warrants). It also creates standardized pre-arraignment bail amounts for release before court - up to $750 for class E felonies, $500 for misdemeanors - and allows credit card payments for traffic cases. These changes directly affect police officers, people charged with crimes, and court procedures in New York. The bill does not alter sentencing or penalties but modifies early-stage law enforcement and court processes.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeStandardized bail amounts reduce arbitrary pretrial detention, aligning with criminal justice reform goals by promoting fairness in release decisions.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts Domestic Violence Policing

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in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 848: Relates to bail and domestic violence charges

This bill requires courts to specifically consider domestic violence charges when setting bail for defendants. It mandates that judges evaluate factors like prior domestic violence arrests, existing orders of protection, and history of violence against family or household members as part of bail decisions. The law directly affects defendants charged with domestic violence crimes and the courts determining their bail conditions. Courts must now document why they believe a defendant poses a flight risk and justify their chosen bail terms, including how domestic violence history influenced the decision. This changes existing bail procedures by making domestic violence a required consideration, not just one factor among many.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeMandates courts to consider domestic violence history in bail decisions, enhancing victim safety and court accountability in criminal justice reform.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Domestic Violence

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