Criminal Justice

passed · New York · Senate Mar 30, 2026

S 524: Relates to establishing the crime of voyeurism

Establishes the crime of voyeurism in the first and second degree which is defined as when someone for their own amusement, entertainment, profit, sexual arousal or sexual gratification trespasses or uses an instrument to observe for the purpose of viewing a person dressing or undressing or the sexual or other intimate parts of such person at a place and time when such person has a reasonable expectation of privacy, without such person's knowledge or consent.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeCreates new legal protections against privacy violations, aligning with civil rights safeguards in criminal justice by defining voyeurism as a crime with consent requirements.85% confidence

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in committee · New York · Senate Jan 23, 2025

S 3040: Relates to the former crime of loitering for the purpose of engaging in a prostitution offense and expunges criminal records for persons previously convicted of such crime

Relates to the former crime of loitering for the purpose of engaging in a prostitution offense; expunges criminal records for persons previously convicted of such crime; directs the chief administrator of the courts to provide information regarding such expungement; adds language to identify that the crime of loitering for the purpose of engaging in a prostitution offense is no longer in law.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeExpunges records for a repealed offense, aligning with criminal justice reform by reducing barriers to reintegration and protecting civil rights.95% confidence

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in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 9061: Relates to creating the crime of aggravated harassment of a survivor of domestic violence or sexual assault

This bill creates a new felony offense for harassing someone specifically because the harasser believes the person is a survivor of domestic violence or sexual assault. It directly affects survivors of these crimes by adding a targeted legal protection against harassment that exploits their trauma. The key provision makes it a class E felony (punishable by up to four years in prison) to commit "aggravated harassment" with the belief or perception that the victim is a survivor. The law would take effect November 1, 2025, if passed.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeCreates new felony protection for domestic violence/sexual assault survivors against trauma-exploiting harassment, directly advancing victim protection and civil rights within criminal justice reform.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Domestic Violence Violent Crime

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in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 1290: Imposes an excise tax on the sale of ammunition to be deposited into the gun violence impact fund; establishing the gun violence impact fund

Imposes an excise tax on the sale of ammunition to be deposited into the gun violence impact fund; establishes the gun violence impact fund; authorizes the director of the office of victim services to administer grants from the gun violence impact fund.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesImposes excise tax on ammunition sales to fund gun violence impact program, advancing public safety funding through new revenue allocation.95% confidence ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill creates gun violence impact fund via ammunition tax, directly funding initiatives addressing gun violence - a core criminal justice issue - aligning with reform goals by allocating resources to prevention and victim services.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Sales Tax Firearms

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in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 482: Relates to a school resource officer program

Relates to creating a school resource officer program to permit the employment of retired law enforcement officers and provide grants to school districts and non-public schools for such purpose.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill funds school resource officer programs, directly supporting law enforcement presence in schools per Criminal Justice topic description.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Law Enforcement

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in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 8159: Authorizes the use of closed-circuit television for vulnerable sexual assault witnesses

Authorizes the use of closed-circuit television for vulnerable sexual assault witnesses; establishes a procedure for determining who qualifies as a vulnerable sexual assault witness.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeAuthorizes closed-circuit TV for vulnerable sexual assault witnesses, protecting victim rights during testimony - a reform supporting victim-centered justice procedures.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Violent Crime

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in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 1417: Relates to the failure to produce records in response to a FOIL request; and criminalizes the failure to comply with the freedom of information law

This bill (S 1417) strengthens New York's Freedom of Information Law (FOIL) by making failure to comply with public record requests a criminal offense. It requires state agencies to respond to written FOIL requests within 5 business days, grant or deny requests within 30 days, and provide records within 90 days - adding specific deadlines and certification requirements for agency heads and the governor if delays occur. The law directly affects all state agencies, their leaders (like commissioners or directors), and the governor’s office when requests are not handled on time. Key provisions include mandatory written reviews by agency heads, public posting of delay certifications, and criminal penalties for willful non-compliance.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill strengthens FOIL compliance, enhancing transparency and police accountability - directly aligns with criminal justice reform indicators like oversight.85% confidence

Tags Government Transparency

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in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 5610: Relates to the statute of limitations for certain assault offenses committed against a member of the same family or household

This bill extends the time limit for prosecuting first-degree assault against family or household members from the standard period to ten years. It directly affects victims of such assaults and prosecutors who must file charges within this new timeframe. The key provision adds a specific ten-year window for cases involving assault in the first degree (as defined in Penal Law §120.10) committed against someone in the same household or family, as defined in Penal Law §530.11. This change applies immediately upon enactment and modifies the criminal procedure law to prioritize these cases.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeExtends statute of limitations for domestic assault cases, aiding victims' access to justice and prosecution timelines per Penal Law provisions.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Violent Crime

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in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 1753: Relates to establishing Bella's Law, which correlates animal abuse with domestic violence

S 1753, "Bella's Law," requires New York's Office of Children and Family Services to investigate potential domestic violence when someone is accused of or under investigation for animal abuse. It directly affects individuals accused of animal abuse crimes (such as cruelty, abandonment, or harming service animals) and mandates law enforcement to notify child services during such cases. The law creates a mechanism where police must coordinate with child services to determine if animal abuse is linked to domestic violence, requiring a formal investigation and documentation via domestic incident reports. This applies to all animal abuse accusations in New York starting from the law's effective date.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill mandates coordination between law enforcement and child services when animal abuse is alleged, directly linking to domestic violence investigations - a criminal justice reform measure enhancing victim protection and systemic coordination.92% confidence

Sub-Topics Domestic Violence Policing

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in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 6771: Grants immunity to law enforcement employees who intervene against police misconduct

Grants immunity from liability and professional retaliation against a law enforcement employee who intervenes against police misconduct committed by another member of law enforcement.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill grants immunity to officers reporting misconduct, enhancing police accountability per criminal justice reform indicators.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Policing

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