Criminal Justice

in committee · New York · Senate Jun 9, 2025

S 8312: Relates to the removal of actions to certain courts in an adjoining county

This bill allows criminal defendants in counties outside New York City to have their cases moved to a mental health court in a neighboring county, with consent from the defendant, both district attorneys, and the receiving court. It requires a 5-day waiting period before the transfer takes effect unless the receiving court agrees to accept the case sooner. The law specifically prohibits moving family offense cases involving household members to veterans treatment courts under this provision. This primarily affects defendants facing criminal charges who qualify for specialized court programs in adjacent jurisdictions, streamlining access to mental health-focused sentencing.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill expands access to mental health courts for criminal defendants outside NYC, promoting diversion and treatment over traditional prosecution - a key criminal justice reform to reduce recidivism and address mental health needs.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts Sentencing

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in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 6287: Directs the office of mental health to conduct a study on the effects of abuse suffered while incarcerated on formerly incarcerated individuals

This bill directs New York's Office of Mental Health, in collaboration with Corrections and Community Supervision, to study how abuse experienced during incarceration affects the mental, behavioral, and physical health of formerly incarcerated individuals. The study must identify both short-term and long-term impacts, associated costs, and recommend effective treatment practices. The Office of Mental Health must submit a final report to state leaders within one year of the bill's effective date.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeStudies incarceration abuse impacts to improve mental health treatments and rehabilitation, directly advancing criminal justice reform through evidence-based policy recommendations.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates study on incarceration abuse's mental health impacts to identify effective treatments, directly supporting mental health services for vulnerable population.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Probation & Parole

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in committee · New York · Senate Mar 27, 2025

S 6978: Removes statute of limitations for certain civil actions related to child sexual assault offenses

This bill removes time limits for civil lawsuits related to childhood sexual abuse. It allows victims to file lawsuits at any time after the abuse occurred, regardless of when it happened, as long as they were under 18 at the time. The law covers civil claims for physical, psychological, or other injuries from offenses including rape, incest, sex trafficking, and child sexual performances as defined in New York's penal law. It specifically applies to cases where the abuse occurred before the victim turned 18, and does not require a prior criminal conviction to file a civil claim.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeRemoves statute of limitations for child sexual abuse civil cases, enabling victims to seek justice regardless of time elapsed, aligns with victim rights protection in criminal justice reform.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Human Trafficking Violent Crime

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in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 22, 2026

A 8929: Relates to convictions under the felony murder rule; repealer

Repeals the crime of felony murder; permits vacating conviction and resentencing of defendants convicted of felony murder; requires reporting of certain crime statistics and information.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeAmends felony murder rule to require direct causation/intent, permits conviction vacating/resentencing, adds duress defense - reduces wrongful convictions and advances reform.95% confidence

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in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 6612: Relates to petition for expungement of records for certain marihuana convictions

S 6612 allows individuals convicted of simple marijuana possession (under Penal Law §222.25) with no prior or subsequent offenses to petition courts for expungement of their records. To qualify, applicants must wait two years after their conviction, complete all probation/parole/fines, and file a verified petition with required court documents. The court must grant expungement within 90 days if no objections are raised by prosecutors or law enforcement. This removes all court records related to the conviction, including arrest details and sentencing, for eligible individuals. The law applies to convictions both before and after its effective date.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill enables expungement of non-violent marijuana convictions, reducing barriers to reentry and aligning with criminal justice reform goals like reducing recidivism.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts Drug Policy Probation & Parole

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in committee · New York · Assembly Apr 21, 2026

A 7576: 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; requires the department of corrections and community supervision to collect data on medical incidents and response times, and to publish an annual report detailing such data.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeEstablishes medical oversight and access to records for incarcerated individuals, enhancing transparency and rights within correctional facilities - key criminal justice reform.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareEnsures incarcerated individuals access to medical records and independent oversight, protecting patient rights in correctional healthcare settings.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Probation & Parole

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in committee · New York · Assembly Mar 12, 2026

A 5606: Prohibits discrimination against any individual with an actual or perceived status as a victim of domestic violence, a sex offense, or stalking

Prohibits discrimination against any individual with an actual or perceived status as a victim of domestic violence, a sex offense, or stalking; requires training on discrimination against individuals with an actual or perceived status as a victim of domestic violence, a sex offense, or stalking.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill prohibits discrimination against crime victims, protecting civil rights within criminal justice system, aligning with reform efforts to ensure fair treatment of vulnerable populations.90% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentProhibits workplace discrimination against victims of domestic violence/stalking, directly protecting workers' rights under employment standards as defined in the topic description.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Civil Rights Domestic Violence

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failed · New York · Senate May 5, 2026

S 8492: Establishes a digital legal mail program

Establishes a digital legal mail program for the delivery of privileged correspondences to incarcerated individuals housed at correctional facilities; requires law offices sending legal mail via digital platforms to incarcerated individuals to register with the department of corrections.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill enables digital legal mail for incarcerated individuals, ensuring access to legal counsel and protecting civil rights. This supports criminal justice reform by upholding due process and legal representation in correctional facilities.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections

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in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 3514: Relates to establishing mental health coordinators for New York state law enforcement

Establishes four mental health coordinators to provide mental health support and education for members of law enforcement; establishes that coordinators shall provide training, assistance, reporting and set standards for continuing mental health education.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeMental health coordinators for law enforcement enhance officer well-being and accountability, aligning with criminal justice reform indicators like improved police practices.85% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareEstablishes mental health coordinators for law enforcement, directly supporting mental health services through training and education programs.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Mental Health

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passed · New York · Senate May 5, 2026

S 3158: Adds animal fighting to the definition of criminal activity for purposes of enterprise corruption crimes

This bill amends New York's Penal Law to explicitly include animal fighting as a qualifying felony for enterprise corruption charges. It directly affects individuals or groups operating animal fighting rings, as their activities will now count as "criminal activity" under enterprise corruption statutes. The key change adds "section three hundred fifty-one of the agriculture and markets law relating to animal fighting" to the list of felonies that trigger enterprise corruption penalties. This expands the scope of enterprise corruption prosecutions to cover animal fighting operations without changing the core definition of the crime.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeExpands enterprise corruption charges to include animal fighting, strengthening prosecution of organized crime rings under criminal justice statutes.92% confidence

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