Criminal Justice

passed both · New York · Senate May 18, 2026

S 329: Facilitates appellate review of rulings that implicate issues of public concern

This bill (S 329) changes criminal procedure rules to allow defendants to appeal a judge's decision denying a motion to suppress evidence - even if they later enter a guilty plea. It directly affects criminal defendants who want to challenge evidence rulings that may involve issues of public concern. The key provision amends the law to make such denial orders "reviewable upon appeal" from the final conviction, removing a previous barrier that prevented appeals after a guilty plea. This provides a clearer path for defendants to seek appellate review of critical evidence rulings without being barred by their own plea. The change applies to all criminal cases where evidence suppression is contested.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill allows defendants to appeal evidence suppression rulings after guilty plea, strengthening due process rights in criminal proceedings.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✗ Opposes Criminal Justice

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passed · New York · Assembly May 18, 2026

A 5989: Provides for automatic issuance of identification cards to incarcerated individuals and assistance with obtaining copies of certain documents

Provides for automatic issuance of identification cards to incarcerated individuals and assistance with obtaining copies of any documents needed to apply for identification cards, including, but not limited to, an incarcerated individual's social security card and birth certificate.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeProvides ID cards and document assistance for incarcerated individuals, reducing reentry barriers and aligning with recidivism reduction goals in criminal justice reform.92% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✗ Opposes Criminal Justice

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passed · New York · Assembly May 13, 2026

A 1719: Prohibits charging a fee to obtain a certified copy or certified transcript of birth in certain situations

Prohibits charging a fee to obtain a certified copy or certified transcript of birth when the department of corrections and community supervision or a local correctional facility requests such for an individual under community supervision in connection with such individual's ongoing supervision in the community.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeRemoves financial barriers for community supervision compliance, aiding reintegration and reducing recidivism risk per criminal justice reform indicators.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✗ Opposes Criminal Justice

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passed both · New York · Senate May 13, 2026

S 1946: Provides for the expungement of syringe convictions

This bill (S 1946) allows individuals convicted of specific syringe possession offenses to have their court records sealed. It directly affects people convicted under Penal Law sections 222.10, 222.15, 222.25, 222.45 (current law) or former section 220.45 (prior to the bill's effective date). The key provision adds these conviction types to the list of offenses eligible for expungement under New York's criminal procedure law. The bill creates a legal mechanism for sealing these specific past records, without changing current possession laws or penalties.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeEnables expungement of minor syringe possession convictions, reducing barriers to reentry and aligning with criminal justice reform goals to reduce recidivism.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✗ Opposes Criminal Justice

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passed · New York · Assembly May 12, 2026

A 3524: Preserves the ability to appeal a violation of a defendant's right to make a statement personally at sentencing

Preserves the ability to appeal a violation of a defendant's right to make a statement personally at sentencing notwithstanding a defendant signed an otherwise valid waiver of appeal.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticePreserves defendant's right to appeal sentencing statement violations, protecting civil rights in criminal justice proceedings90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✗ Opposes Criminal Justice

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passed · New York · Assembly May 6, 2026

A 8263: Relates to requiring training of police department and state police personnel on the protocols of the address confidentiality program

Requires the secretary of state to develop and mandate training of police department personnel and state police officers on the protocols of the address confidentiality program.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeRequires police training on address confidentiality protocols, enhancing victim protection and police accountability in criminal justice.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✗ Opposes Criminal Justice

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passed both · New York · Assembly May 4, 2026

A 1422: Requires accurate interpretation of statements made by deponents with limited English proficiency in accusatory instruments and supporting depositions

Provides that an accusatory instrument or supporting deposition consisting of factual allegations by a deponent with limited English proficiency is not sufficient unless accompanied by a sworn statement from an interpreter affirming the accuracy of the English interpretation.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeRequires sworn interpreter statements to prevent misinterpretation of deponents' statements, protecting defendant rights and ensuring fair court proceedings in criminal cases.85% confidence ✓ ImmigrationSupports ImmigrationEnsures accurate interpretation for non-English speakers in legal proceedings, preventing misrepresentation that could harm immigrant rights in accusatory instruments.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✗ Opposes Criminal Justice

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passed both · New York · Assembly Apr 29, 2026

A 4871: Establishes the chief administrator of the courts shall submit annually a report on the Drug Treatment Court Program during the preceding year

Establishes the chief administrator of the courts shall submit annually a report on the administration, function and effectiveness of the Drug Treatment Court Program during the preceding year.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeMandates annual reporting on Drug Treatment Court effectiveness, promoting program evaluation and potential reform within criminal justice92% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✗ Opposes Criminal Justice

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passed · New York · Assembly Mar 25, 2026

A 9584: Enhances know your customer requirements and responsible gaming procedures

Enhances know your customer requirements and responsible gaming procedures; relates to the opening and closing of an authorized sports bettor's account; prohibits an authorized sports bettor from allowing another person to access such bettor's account; allows a bettor who does so to be designated a prohibited bettor; provides for the disposition of revenues from violation fines.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeBill criminalizes sports wagering account sharing, expanding criminalization without reform context per indicators.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✗ Opposes Criminal Justice

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passed · New York · Assembly Mar 4, 2026

A 1034: Includes masking products within the definition of drug-related paraphernalia

Includes masking products including but not limited to synthetic urine, human urine, a substance used or designed to be added to human urine or a substance used or designed to be added to a chemical test, within the definition of drug-related paraphernalia.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeExpands criminalization by adding masking products to drug paraphernalia definition, increasing penalties for drug test evasion attempts.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✗ Opposes Criminal Justice

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