Criminal Justice

died · New York · Senate Jun 5, 2026

S 5138: Abolishes citizens arrests; repealer

S 5138 abolishes New York State's legal allowance for citizens to make arrests, removing a long-standing provision that permitted ordinary people to detain others under specific circumstances. The bill repeals key sections of the criminal procedure law and penal law that previously authorized citizens to use physical force to arrest individuals suspected of committing certain serious crimes (like murder or robbery) while they were fleeing. This change directly affects all New Yorkers who previously could legally make citizen arrests, replacing that authority with exclusive police powers for arrests. The bill does not alter police procedures or create new offenses, but removes a specific legal tool available to private individuals. It is currently pending in the Assembly after passing the Senate.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeRemoves citizens' arrest power to prevent potential civil rights violations during detentions, aligning with criminal justice reform protecting individual rights.92% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Criminal Justice

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died · New York · Senate Jun 5, 2026

S 660: Relates to detaining persons for longer than twenty-four hours

Bill S 660 aims to regulate the detention of individuals by police officers and enhance transparency regarding their custody. It defines "without unnecessary delay" for detention as less than twenty-four hours from the time a person is taken into custody, requiring immediate release if this limit is not met. The bill also mandates that cities with a population of one million or more establish a searchable online registry of detained persons, showing their names, ages, and locations, with access limited to contracted defender organizations. Additionally, it establishes an evidentiary presumption in habeas corpus cases that pre-arraignment detention exceeding twenty-four hours is unlawful unless proven otherwise by clear and convincing evidence.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeRegulates police detention timelines and mandates public registry for transparency, enhancing accountability in criminal justice90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Criminal Justice

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died · New York · Senate Jun 5, 2026

S 4957: Provides for review of bail data reports by the state commission on judicial conduct

Provides for review of bail data reports by the state commission on judicial conduct to study such reports for evidence of bias or prejudice by any judge or justice, and where appropriate based on such reports, to initiate, investigate, and hear complaints and otherwise comment on matters of bias and prejudice evidenced therein.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill mandates review of bail data for judicial bias, enhancing oversight to protect against prejudice in court decisions, aligning with criminal justice reform indicators.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Criminal Justice

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in committee · New York · Senate Jun 5, 2026

S 4406: Authorizes the use of closed-circuit television for vulnerable sexual assault witnesses

Authorizes the use of closed-circuit television for vulnerable sexual assault witnesses; establishes a procedure for determining who qualifies as a vulnerable sexual assault witness.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeAuthorizes CCTVs for vulnerable sexual assault witnesses, protecting victim rights and improving court testimony procedures within criminal justice system.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Criminal Justice

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in committee · New York · Senate Jun 5, 2026

S 1645: Provides for priority status to victims of human trafficking for the receipt of certain assistance

Provides for priority for applications and expedited determination of claims for a human trafficking victim who wishes to remove permanent marks that were part of the trafficking of such victim, including but not limited to, tattoos, markings, brandings, or other symbols or insignia.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeProvides victim assistance for human trafficking survivors, aligning with criminal justice reform by supporting victim rights and trauma recovery95% confidence | Rep's Stance Voted absent

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in committee · New York · Senate Jun 5, 2026

S 3746: Requires at least one member of the state board of parole be a formerly incarcerated person

This bill requires New York's state parole board to include at least one member who has been previously incarcerated. It directly affects the board's composition, which reviews prisoner release decisions and is appointed by the governor. The law amends existing statutes to mandate that one of the board's members must have firsthand experience with the prison system. This change is a concrete policy adjustment to the board's membership rules, without specifying how this experience would influence decisions.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeMandates parole board inclusion of formerly incarcerated person, advancing reform by incorporating lived experience into release decisions to improve rehabilitation and oversight.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Criminal Justice

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passed both · New York · Senate Jun 5, 2026

S 1004: Relates to determining the capacity of a defendant to stand trial

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.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeRequires courts to assess restoration services for defendant competency, promoting fair trials and rehabilitation, aligning with criminal justice reform principles.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Criminal Justice

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in committee · New York · Senate Jun 5, 2026

S 6727: Relates to the evidentiary standard for evidentiary and disciplinary hearings

This bill (S 6727) changes the evidentiary standard for disciplinary and evidentiary hearings in New York's correction system. It replaces the current "substantial evidence" standard with the higher "preponderance of the evidence" standard (meaning it is more likely than not that the facts support the decision). This directly affects inmates and staff facing disciplinary actions in correctional facilities, as it raises the bar for evidence required to uphold those decisions. If enacted, the change would apply to all such hearings under the Correction Law and take effect 90 days after becoming law.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill raises evidentiary standard in correctional disciplinary hearings, requiring stronger evidence to protect inmates' rights from unfair punishment. Aligns with criminal justice reform by enhancing due process.90% confidence | Rep's Stance Voted absent

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passed · New York · Senate Jun 5, 2026

S 5317: Requires the office of addiction services and supports to collect certain demographic data

Requires the office of addiction services and supports to collect certain demographic data for incarcerated individuals in medication assisted treatment programs.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeCollects demographic data for incarcerated individuals in MAT programs to improve rehabilitation access and address disparities, advancing criminal justice reform goals.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Criminal Justice

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passed · New York · Senate Jun 4, 2026

S 10632: Prohibits the use of intoxication of the victim as a defense in sex crimes

Prohibits the use of intoxication of the victim as a defense in sex crimes where the victim is under the influence of any drug, intoxicant, or other substance to a degree which rendered the victim temporarily incapable of appraising or controlling such person's conduct and such condition was known or reasonably should have been known to a person in the actor's situation.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill strengthens criminal justice by removing a defense that undermines victim protection in sex crimes.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Criminal Justice

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