Criminal Justice

passed · New York · Senate Mar 11, 2026

S 1050: Relates to allowing telephone calls prior to an incarcerated individual's transfer

This bill requires New York's Department of Corrections to allow incarcerated individuals to make at least one free phone call to family or a chosen contact immediately before being transferred to a new facility, and another within 24 hours of arrival at the new facility. It applies directly to incarcerated people and their families or designated representatives. Exceptions only apply when making a call would create an unacceptable risk to safety or security, and the department must document such denials in writing. The law aims to maintain family connections during transfers while prioritizing facility safety.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeAllows family communication during transfers, supporting rehabilitation and reducing recidivism - key criminal justice reform goals.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✗ Opposes Criminal Justice

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died · New York · Senate Mar 10, 2026

S 7117: Authorizes the correctional association to inspect residential juvenile detention facilities

S 7117 authorizes New York's Correctional Association to inspect all types of juvenile detention facilities - including secure, non-secure, and residential divisions - operated by the Office of Children and Family Services. The bill requires unannounced facility visits, review of incident reports, and immediate reporting of suspected abuse to relevant agencies. It also mandates annual public reports on facility conditions and establishes a confidential hotline for youth to report maltreatment, with Prisoners' Legal Services empowered to represent affected youth. The law directly affects juveniles in detention, facility operators, and oversight bodies, focusing on transparency and safety without altering facility operations or funding.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeAuthorizes inspections, abuse reporting, and public transparency in juvenile facilities, enhancing oversight and youth protection within corrections95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✗ Opposes Criminal Justice

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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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in committee · New York · Senate Mar 5, 2026

S 4547: Relates to judicial diversion programs; repealer

S 4547 establishes a dedicated "diversion part" in every county court to handle judicial diversion cases for eligible defendants. It directly affects individuals charged with specific class B, C, D, or E felonies (excluding certain serious offenses like class A felonies) who have a qualifying mental health or substance use diagnosis. The bill requires a clinical evaluation by licensed professionals to determine if diversion is appropriate, including recommendations for evidence-based treatment (like counseling or medication) instead of incarceration. It repeals outdated provisions about alcohol/substance use evaluations and clarifies eligibility criteria for this program.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeCreates judicial diversion programs requiring clinical evaluations and evidence-based treatment for eligible defendants, promoting rehabilitation over incarceration for mental health/substance use cases.90% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill mandates clinical evaluations and evidence-based treatment referrals for mental health/substance use cases in judicial diversion, directly advancing access to mental health services through the court system.85% 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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