Criminal Justice

passed · New York · Senate Mar 9, 2026

S 205: Relates to a threat to share an intimate image

Establishes that when an actor threatens to disseminate or publish a still or video image depicting such other person with one or more intimate parts exposed or engaging in sexual conduct with another person, including a still or video image created or altered by digitization, where such person may reasonably be identified from the still or video image itself or from information displayed in connection with the still or video image within the provisions of unlawful dissemination or publication of an intimate image.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeBill creates new criminal offense for threatening intimate image dissemination, expanding criminalization per indicators.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✗ Opposes Criminal Justice

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died · New York · Senate Mar 5, 2026

S 4836: Increases the number of county court judges in Schenectady county

This bill would increase the number of county court judges in Schenectady County from one to two positions. It amends the judiciary law to reflect this change, requiring a new judge to be elected in the November 2025 general election and take office on January 1, 2026. The adjustment directly affects Schenectady County residents who use the county court system for legal matters and aims to address judicial workload capacity. The bill’s provisions are limited to structural changes in court staffing, with no additional funding or policy provisions described.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeIncreases county court judges to address judicial workload capacity, strengthening court system efficiency within criminal justice framework.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Criminal Justice

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passed both · New York · Assembly Mar 5, 2026

A 6338: Relates to defining a victim of a sexual offense

This bill expands the legal definition of a "victim of a sexual offense" in New York State to explicitly include individuals harmed by the unlawful dissemination or publication of intimate images. It amends Section 108 of the Executive Law to add this new category to the existing definition, which previously covered offenses under specific Penal Law sections. The change directly affects people whose intimate images are shared without consent, ensuring they are recognized under the same legal framework as victims of other sexual offenses. This is a definitional update, not a new criminal penalty, and applies to all cases falling under the revised definition.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeExpands victim definition to include non-consensual image sharing victims, strengthening legal protections and aligning with civil rights in criminal justice reform.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Criminal Justice

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passed · New York · Senate Mar 5, 2026

S 1285: Relates to jury deliberations

S 1285, the "Tiarah Poyau Act," allows juries in criminal trials to request written instructions about legal requirements (such as offense elements or defenses) during deliberations. The bill requires courts to provide these written instructions upon request, after giving attorneys a chance to review and comment on them. This change aims to clarify legal standards for juries without altering substantive law. It directly affects juries, judges, and defense/prosecution attorneys in criminal cases. The bill passed the Senate in April 2025 and is now in the Assembly.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeClarifies jury instructions in criminal trials to prevent errors, aligning with fair trial protections and criminal justice reform goals without altering substantive law.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Criminal Justice

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died · New York · Senate Mar 5, 2026

S 5041: Relates to defining a victim of a sexual offense

This bill expands the legal definition of "victim of a sexual offense" to include individuals who are victims of the unlawful dissemination or publication of intimate images. It directly affects people whose private images are shared without consent, ensuring they are covered under existing protections for sexual offense victims. The key change amends New York's Executive Law to add this specific scenario to the definition, aligning it with related penal law provisions. This update provides a clearer legal framework for supporting victims of non-consensual image sharing.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeExpands victim definition to include non-consensual image sharing, strengthening protections under criminal justice laws for victims of sexual offenses.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Criminal Justice

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passed · New York · Senate Feb 25, 2026

S 6181: Relates to employment at certain licensees for the purposes of parole conditions

Clarifies that employment at any licensee under the cannabis law satisfies employment requirements for parole, probation or other state supervision unless the terms and conditions of said parole, probation, or state supervision explicitly prohibit such employment.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeClarifies employment at cannabis licensees satisfies parole requirements, reducing barriers to reintegration and aligning with recidivism reduction goals in criminal justice reform.92% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Criminal Justice

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passed · New York · Senate Feb 24, 2026

S 1892: Expands who may visit local correctional facilities

Expands who may visit local correctional facilities to include persons and accompanying staff of the chief executive officer of a county, members of a county legislative body, mayor of the city of New York, New York city public advocate, New York city comptroller, and members of the New York city council.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeExpands oversight access to correctional facilities via elected officials, enhancing transparency and accountability - a key criminal justice reform indicator.92% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Criminal Justice

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signed · New York · Senate Feb 13, 2026

S 8762: Relates to the removal of actions to certain courts in an adjoining county

Allows the removal of criminal actions to a mental health court in an adjoining county and provides for the reversion to the original court of record where the defendant fails to comply with or complete the mental health court program.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill creates mental health court diversion for eligible defendants, promoting rehabilitation over traditional sentencing and reducing recidivism - key criminal justice reform indicators.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Criminal Justice

signed · New York · Senate Feb 13, 2026

S 8763: Relates to the method of notifying certain crime victims of the disposition of criminal trial

Requires that following the acquittal after trial or the sentencing of any defendant for a felony, the district attorney, or their designee, shall provide by mail, electronically, or by any other reasonable and secure means of written communication a written summary of the disposition of such felony to any victim who was not present at the time that the defendant was sentenced or acquitted after trial.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeMandates victim notification after felony disposition, enhancing victim rights and transparency in criminal justice proceedings.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Criminal Justice

signed · New York · Senate Feb 13, 2026

S 8769: Provides confidentiality for communications arising out of law enforcement peer support counseling

This bill establishes legal confidentiality for conversations between police officers and peer support specialists during official counseling sessions. It directly affects law enforcement officers seeking mental health support and the peer support specialists who provide it. Key provisions prohibit disclosing session details unless there's a specific threat of suicide, self-harm, violence, or child abuse - allowing limited disclosure only to prevent harm. Officers must receive written notice before sessions explaining these confidentiality rules and exceptions. The law ensures peer support communications remain private except in clearly defined safety emergencies.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill establishes confidentiality for police peer support counseling, promoting officer mental health and accountability - key aspects of criminal justice reform.85% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill protects mental health counseling confidentiality for police officers, removing barriers to access and aligning with mental health service support indicators.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentConfidentiality protects law enforcement officers' access to mental health support, enhancing workplace safety and workers' rights in high-stress roles without restricting protections.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Criminal Justice