Criminal Justice

passed both · New York · Senate May 13, 2026

S 1946: Provides for the expungement of syringe convictions

This bill (S 1946) allows individuals convicted of specific syringe possession offenses to have their court records sealed. It directly affects people convicted under Penal Law sections 222.10, 222.15, 222.25, 222.45 (current law) or former section 220.45 (prior to the bill's effective date). The key provision adds these conviction types to the list of offenses eligible for expungement under New York's criminal procedure law. The bill creates a legal mechanism for sealing these specific past records, without changing current possession laws or penalties.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeEnables expungement of minor syringe possession convictions, reducing barriers to reentry and aligning with criminal justice reform goals to reduce recidivism.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✗ Opposes Criminal Justice

Track

passed · New York · Senate May 12, 2026

S 56: Establishes a drug checking program

Establishes through the department of health a drug checking services program to allow individuals to bring drugs or controlled substances and have them tested for contaminants, toxic substances, or hazardous compounds; requires the department to establish public health surveillance of the unregulated drug supply; provides exemptions for participants in the drug checking program from certain controlled substance offenses.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeProvides exemptions from controlled substance offenses for drug checking participants, reducing criminalization and aligning with harm reduction reform in criminal justice.92% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareEstablishes public health surveillance for drug safety, reducing health risks from contaminants and aligning with harm reduction strategies in healthcare.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✗ Opposes Criminal Justice

Track

passed · New York · Senate May 6, 2026

S 319: Relates to educational leave for eligible incarcerated individuals

Provides that for the purposes of educational leave, an eligible incarcerated individual shall include an incarcerated individual who is within two years of being an eligible incarcerated individual.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill expands educational leave eligibility for incarcerated individuals, promoting rehabilitation and reducing recidivism - key aspects of criminal justice reform in corrections.90% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationExpands educational access for incarcerated individuals by extending eligibility for educational leave, aligning with 'educational access' under the topic description.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✗ Opposes Criminal Justice

Track

passed · New York · Senate May 6, 2026

S 1551: Relates to prohibiting the release of consumption data

Prohibits the release of a consumer's electrical or gas consumption data to any police officer, or private, local, state or federal law enforcement entity without a judicial court-ordered subpoena, warrant or the consumer's written consent.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeProhibits warrantless law enforcement access to consumer data, protecting civil rights and limiting overreach in criminal investigations.90% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyBill explicitly protects consumer data privacy by requiring warrants/consent for energy consumption data disclosure, directly aligning with data privacy indicators in technology policy.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✗ Opposes Criminal Justice

Track

in committee · New York · Senate May 5, 2026

S 9798: Prohibits using possession of reproductive or sexual health devices as evidence in a trial, hearing or proceeding in certain circumstances

Provides that possession of a condom or other reproductive or sexual health device may not be received in evidence in any trial, hearing or proceeding as evidence of conduct which would constitute an offense defined in article 230 of the penal law.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill protects civil rights by limiting the use of reproductive health devices as evidence, reducing unnecessary criminalization and enhancing defendant rights.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✗ Opposes Criminal Justice

Track

passed · New York · Senate May 5, 2026

S 1048: Requires public agencies to establish preliminary license application procedures to determine whether an applicant for a license would be ineligible for such license based on criminal history

Requires public agencies to establish preliminary license application procedures to determine whether an applicant for a license would be ineligible for such license based on criminal history; establishes time frames for public agencies to respond to such applications; requires public agencies to report information regarding granting licenses annually.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeMandates criminal history checks for license eligibility, potentially restricting opportunities for individuals with records, opposing reform efforts to reduce such barriers.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✗ Opposes Criminal Justice

Track

passed · New York · Senate May 5, 2026

S 197: Relates to the sentencing for the crime of aggravated cruelty to animals

Enacts "Tucker's law"; removes the provision that provides that any term of imprisonment for a violation of aggravated cruelty to animals may not exceed two years.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeRemoves 2-year cap on animal cruelty sentencing, increasing potential prison terms. Aligns with 'increases mandatory sentences' indicator for oppose stance.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✗ Opposes Criminal Justice

Track

died · New York · Senate May 4, 2026

S 4525: Requires accurate interpretation of statements made by deponents with limited English proficiency in accusatory instruments and supporting depositions

Provides that an accusatory instrument or supporting deposition consisting of factual allegations by a deponent with limited English proficiency is not sufficient unless accompanied by a sworn statement from an interpreter affirming the accuracy of the English interpretation.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeRequires sworn interpreter certification for deponent statements, protecting defendant rights and ensuring accurate legal proceedings in criminal cases.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✗ Opposes Criminal Justice

Track

passed both · New York · Assembly May 4, 2026

A 1422: Requires accurate interpretation of statements made by deponents with limited English proficiency in accusatory instruments and supporting depositions

Provides that an accusatory instrument or supporting deposition consisting of factual allegations by a deponent with limited English proficiency is not sufficient unless accompanied by a sworn statement from an interpreter affirming the accuracy of the English interpretation.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeRequires sworn interpreter statements to prevent misinterpretation of deponents' statements, protecting defendant rights and ensuring fair court proceedings in criminal cases.85% confidence ✓ ImmigrationSupports ImmigrationEnsures accurate interpretation for non-English speakers in legal proceedings, preventing misrepresentation that could harm immigrant rights in accusatory instruments.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✗ Opposes Criminal Justice

Track

passed · New York · Senate Apr 22, 2026

S 1055: Prohibits the division of criminal justice services from disclosing pending adjournment in contemplation of dismissals on civil records of arrests and prosecutions

Prohibits the division of criminal justice services from disclosing pending orders of adjournment in contemplation of dismissal on civil records of arrests and prosecutions.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticePrevents disclosure of dismissed cases on civil records, reducing barriers for individuals with past arrests and aligning with criminal justice reform goals.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✗ Opposes Criminal Justice

Track