Prohibits the use of restraints on and the use of force against incarcerated individuals during labor and incarcerated individuals who have experienced different pregnancy outcomes, absent extraordinary circumstances, and on pregnant and post-pregnancy persons during a custodial interrogation; provides for certain exceptions for restraints to be used and in such case limits the use to wrist restraints.
This bill amends New York's criminal procedure law to clarify how courts assess whether a defendant has the mental capacity to stand trial. It requires psychiatric examiners to specifically evaluate whether "restoration services" (such as medication support, competency training, or symptom management) could reasonably restore a defendant's capacity within a set timeframe, and include this assessment in their reports. The bill directly affects defendants in criminal cases who may lack mental capacity due to illness or disability, ensuring their evaluation process considers potential treatment pathways. Key provisions define "restoration services" and mandate that examiners' reports detail the feasibility of such services before a court decides on next steps.
Requires that any law enforcement agency in the state that encrypts any portion of its radio communications shall ensure that all of its radio communications, with the exception of sensitive information, may be monitored in real time by professional journalists, newscasters, and individuals employed by emergency services organizations.
Provides that no state or local correctional facility shall deny entry to a person visiting such facility due to the fact that such person is menstruating or has a contraceptive device or appears on body scan imaging or alternative methods to have or be using a menstrual product or contraceptive device.
This bill requires New York courts to publish detailed criminal case data online in a machine-readable format. It mandates collecting and sharing defendant demographics (age, gender, race/ethnicity), judge names, case issues, and publication status for every criminal case, with new data updated quarterly. The information must be accessible via a free public database allowing search and bulk download for analysis. This affects courts (which must transmit data) and the public (which gains access to previously unpublished case details). The law applies to all criminal cases, including those resolved in favor of the defendant.
Provides for enrollment of eligible incarcerated persons in the medical assistance for needy persons program; provides for enrollment of incarcerated individuals in other medical assistance programs, where eligible.
Establishes visiting policies for incarcerated people, to provide incarcerated people opportunities for personal contact with relatives, friends, clergy, volunteers and other persons to promote better institutional adjustment and better community adjustment upon release.
Requires the commissioner of corrections and community supervision to make correctional facility water testing results accessible directly, upon request, to incarcerated individuals and correctional facility staff in such facilities and make such water testing results available to the public on the website of the department.
This bill (S 3974) amends New York State correction law to ensure incarcerated individuals do not lose earned time allowances if they fail to complete assigned work or treatment programs due to circumstances beyond their control (e.g., medical issues or facility disruptions). It specifically revises sections of the correction law to clarify that time credits - earned through good behavior, program participation, or educational/vocational achievements - must not be withheld for such unavoidable circumstances. The policy directly affects incarcerated people in state facilities who qualify for time reductions under existing programs. The change aligns with current provisions but explicitly prevents punitive withholding of time allowances for factors outside an individual’s control.
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.
