Criminal Justice

in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 4521: Enacts the "criminal forfeiture process act"; repealer

Bill S 4521, known as the "criminal forfeiture process act," replaces the existing process for the criminal forfeiture of property. It directly affects individuals whose property is linked to specific felony offenses, such as controlled substance, cannabis, prostitution, or driving under the influence crimes, and prohibits civil forfeiture under this article. The bill requires a criminal conviction for property to be forfeited, with the forfeiture proceeding taking place as part of the criminal trial. It also includes provisions to protect the rights of "innocent owners" and "secured interest holders" of property that might otherwise be subject to seizure.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeRequires criminal conviction for property forfeiture, replacing civil forfeiture and protecting individual rights - aligns with criminal justice reform principles.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✗ Opposes Criminal Justice

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failed · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 3511: Increases the maximum sentence of imprisonment for certain misdemeanors to one year; repealer

Bill S 3511 proposes to increase the maximum possible prison sentence for individuals convicted of Class A and unclassified misdemeanors. It amends the penal law to change the maximum definite sentence for these crimes from 364 days to one year. The bill also repeals a specific subdivision within the penal law related to misdemeanor sentencing. This change would allow courts to impose slightly longer jail terms for these particular offenses.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeIncreases misdemeanor prison terms from 364 to 365 days, expanding criminalization and lengthening sentences for minor offenses.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✗ Opposes Criminal Justice

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in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 6593: Requires reporting to the federal bureau of investigation's national use-of-force data collection program

S 6593 requires New York's Division of Criminal Justice Services to report all police use-of-force incidents to the FBI's national database. It mandates reporting specific force types (like firearms, chokeholds, chemical agents, or impact weapons) and includes detailed demographic data (age, race, gender, etc.) for all involved parties. Police departments, sheriff's offices, and state police that fail to submit these reports face a 10% reduction in state funding until compliance is achieved. The bill directly affects law enforcement agencies by creating a new data collection obligation under state law, aligning with federal reporting standards.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeMandates detailed use-of-force reporting with demographic data and funding penalties for non-compliance, enhancing police accountability and transparency in criminal justice.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✗ Opposes Criminal Justice

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in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 439: Enacts "the prison wage act" relating to payment for labor performed by incarcerated individuals

This bill, known as "the prison wage act," mandates compensation for incarcerated individuals performing labor in state and local correctional facilities. It requires that these individuals be paid at least one-half of the state's minimum wage for any work performed or for which a wage would typically be due. This compensation applies to various types of labor, including general facility work, tasks for nonprofit organizations, and participation in work release programs. Additionally, hourly incentive allowances for educational and training programs must also meet this minimum wage standard.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeMandates fair wages for incarcerated labor, promoting rehabilitation and civil rights within corrections - directly advancing criminal justice reform.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentMandates minimum wage compensation for incarcerated laborers, advancing wage standards for vulnerable workforce under Labor & Employment policies.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✗ Opposes Criminal Justice

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failed · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 1041: Relates to arrest, prosecution, sentencing and penalties for offenses involving vehicular assault, manslaughter and homicide and operating a vehicle under the influence of drugs or alcohol

Amends provisions involving the arrest, prosecution, sentencing and penalties for offenses involving vehicular assault, manslaughter and homicide; removes certain barriers to prosecution for operating a vehicle under the influence of drugs or alcohol.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeRemoves barriers to prosecution for DUI offenses, increasing enforcement and penalties, aligning with restrictive criminal justice measures.95% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationBill strengthens DUI penalties to enhance road safety, directly improving vehicle regulation standards and reducing traffic-related harm.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✗ Opposes Criminal Justice

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failed · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 307: Relates to bail for certain felony offenses involving the manufacture, sale, distribution, or possession with intent to sell synthetic opioids

Authorizes the imposition of bail for certain felony offenses involving the manufacture, sale, distribution, or possession with intent to sell synthetic opioids.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeAuthorizes mandatory bail for synthetic opioid offenses, restricting pretrial release and increasing criminalization, aligning with 'oppose' indicators of reducing defendant rights.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✗ Opposes Criminal Justice

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died · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 856: Increases the number of members on the state commission of correction

Senate Bill S 856 reorganizes the State Commission of Correction by expanding its membership from three to nine individuals. The bill diversifies the appointment process, allowing the Governor, Speaker of the Assembly, Temporary President of the Senate, and the Correctional Association to each appoint members. It also mandates that the commission include members with specific professional backgrounds, such as formerly incarcerated individuals, health professionals, and attorneys. Additionally, the bill establishes a ten-year term limit for commissioners and alters the process for designating the chairperson and removing members.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeExpands Commission of Correction with diverse members including formerly incarcerated individuals, aligning with reform goals like inclusive oversight and accountability.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✗ Opposes Criminal Justice

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in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 259: Establishes the crimes of criminal trespass on a school bus, school grounds or children's camp

Establishes the crimes of criminal trespass on a school bus, school grounds or children's camp; requires the commissioner of motor vehicles, in consultation with the commissioner of transportation, to promulgate rules and regulations for certain signage on school buses; relates to professional development school bus driver safety training seminars statewide.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeBill creates new criminal offenses for trespass on school grounds, expanding criminalization, which aligns with 'oppose' indicators.90% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill establishes safety protections for school property and buses, enhancing student safety on school grounds per its criminal trespass provisions.90% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentMandates school bus driver safety training, directly improving workplace safety for this worker group.95% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationMandates school bus safety rules and signage via transportation commissioner, enhancing transportation safety standards85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✗ Opposes Criminal Justice

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vetoed · New York · Assembly Dec 19, 2025

A 3516: Relates to enacting the "keep police radio public act"

Enacts the "keep police radio public act"; ensures that, except for sensitive information, all radio communications are accessible to emergency services organizations and professional journalists.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill mandates public access to police radio comms (except sensitive info), enhancing transparency and accountability in law enforcement, aligning with criminal justice reform indicators.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✗ Opposes Criminal Justice

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failed · New York · Senate Aug 13, 2025

S 1748: Relates to authorizing bail and pre-trial detention for arson felonies

This bill adds arson offenses to categories where courts may deny pretrial release (bail) for defendants. Specifically, it authorizes judges to deny bail for "arson in the fourth degree" (§150.05) or "arson in the third degree" (§150.10) under the same conditions as other serious crimes involving harm to people or property. Prosecutors must show "reasonable cause" the defendant committed the arson, but courts may still release defendants if property damage is deemed negligible and unrelated to other crimes. The bill directly affects individuals charged with these arson offenses during pretrial proceedings.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeDenies pretrial release for specific arson offenses, restricting defendant rights without rehabilitation focus95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✗ Opposes Criminal Justice

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