Criminal Justice (Probation & Parole)

in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 6728: Relates to the confidentiality of personnel records of police officers, firefighters, correction officers and probation officers

This bill makes personnel records for police officers, firefighters, correction officers, and probation officers confidential. It prohibits public inspection or disclosure without the officer's written consent, except under strict court orders. Courts may only grant access after a hearing where all parties can be heard, and judges must verify the request has sufficient factual basis before sealing records for review. The law does not apply to prosecutors, attorneys general, or agencies like grand juries that legally require such records for official duties.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeBill restricts public access to law enforcement personnel records, weakening transparency and oversight mechanisms in criminal justice.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts Policing Probation & Parole

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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 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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in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 5035: Relates to discharge planning to assist incarcerated individuals in obtaining housing before release to community supervision

Relates to the department of correction and community supervision's role with respect to discharge planning to assist incarcerated individuals in obtaining housing before release to community supervision.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill mandates housing assistance for incarcerated individuals before release, directly reducing recidivism through reentry support, aligning with criminal justice reform goals.95% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill directly assists incarcerated individuals in obtaining housing before release, reducing homelessness risk for a vulnerable population, aligning with housing stability indicators.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Probation & Parole Homelessness

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in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 5586: Provides for family members of a crime victim and interested parties to make statements to members of the parole board

Provides for family members of a crime victim and interested parties to make statements to members of the parole board; provides that such oral statement shall be made to the members of the state board of parole who will determine whether the defendant is released.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeAllows victim family input in parole hearings, enhancing victim rights and transparency in criminal justice proceedings90% confidence

Sub-Topics Probation & Parole Victims' Rights

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in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 2312: Prohibits any sex offender from residing within a quarter mile of any school, playground, park or building in which child day care is provided

S 2312 prohibits sex offenders from living within 1,350 feet of schools, playgrounds, parks, or childcare facilities. This restriction directly affects individuals classified as sex offenders under New York's correction law, applying to all such locations used for child-related activities. The bill requires notification to offenders through written and oral communication from the division, parole officers, and probation officers. Violations could lead to felony charges, with penalties increasing for repeat offenses. The residency ban remains in effect as long as the individual is classified as a sex offender.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeRestriction reduces recidivism risk by limiting offender proximity to children, aligning with criminal justice reform goals.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Probation & Parole

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passed · New York · Senate May 18, 2026

S 429: 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 JusticeCreates oversight mechanism for sexual assault investigations in prisons, strengthening accountability and protecting inmate rights in correctional facilities.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Probation & Parole Violent Crime

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in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 8354: Requires that all victim impact statements in New York state be video recorded; requires that the members of the parole board review all relevant victim impact statements prior to the conduct of a parole hearing

Allows victim impact statements in New York state be video recorded; requires that the members of the parole board and all presiding commissioners for such hearing review all relevant victim impact statements prior to the conduct of a parole hearing and to sign a written attestation confirming that they have done so.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeRequires parole board review of victim impact statements, strengthening victim involvement in criminal justice process and enhancing transparency in parole decisions.92% confidence

Sub-Topics Probation & Parole Victims' Rights

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in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 3825: Relates to parole eligibility for felony offenders; repealer

Requires that all felony offenders shall be eligible for parole after serving no more than twenty-five years of their sentence; eliminates the possibility of serving consecutive terms of imprisonment which exceed a twenty-five year sentence.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill caps felony sentences at 25 years for parole eligibility, reducing maximum incarceration terms - directly advancing criminal justice reform by promoting shorter sentences and rehabilitation.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Probation & Parole Sentencing

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in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 7983: Enacts the "McDow Watson medical transparency in correctional facilities act"

Relates to required notification of an incarcerated individual's emergency contacts when such incarcerated individual experiences a serious medical event; provides that incarcerated individuals and their representatives shall have the right to access such incarcerated individual's medical records; provides requirements for access to such medical records; establishes an independent medical oversight body to monitor and evaluate the quality of medical care provided to incarcerated individuals within correctional facilities and to ensure compliance with constitutional and statutory requirements for adequate medical care; provides penalties for certain violations; requires the department of corrections and community supervision to collect data on medical incidents, response times, and correctional facility compliance with certain requirements, and to publish an annual report detailing such data.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeEstablishes independent medical oversight in correctional facilities, enhancing transparency and rights for incarcerated individuals, aligning with criminal justice reform indicators.85% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareEnsures incarcerated individuals access medical records and establishes oversight, enhancing healthcare transparency and patient rights within correctional facilities.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Probation & Parole

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