Criminal Justice (Drug Policy)

in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 5616: Relates to criminal possession of stolen property

Authorizes the court where there is criminal possession of stolen property to, in its discretion release the principal pending trial on the principal's own recognizance or under non-monetary conditions, fix bail, or order non-monetary conditions in conjunction with fixing bail, or, where the defendant is charged with a qualifying offense which is a felony, the court may commit the principal to the custody of the sheriff; makes related provisions.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeAuthorizes courts to use non-monetary release conditions instead of cash bail, reducing pretrial detention - a key criminal justice reform measure.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts Drug Policy

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in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 4962: Relates to establishing an automatic expunction system for certain records

Relates to establishing an automatic expunction system for certain records including unconstitutional stops that occurred between January two thousand four and June two thousand twelve by the New York city police department that either resulted in the completion of a UF-250 form or a Form 61 complaint in which the SQF section was completed and led to arrests for either resisting arrest, disorderly conduct, criminal possession of a weapon, and offenses involving marihuana.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill creates automatic expungement for unconstitutional NYPD stops (2004-2012), directly advancing civil rights and criminal justice reform by removing unjust records.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Drug Policy Policing

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in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 2366: Clarifies the definition of "tenant" to exclude squatters

Excludes squatters from tenant protections; extends the time period for tenancy rights from 30 days to 60 days of possession; adds squatting to the definition of criminal trespass in the third degree; clarifies lease provisions.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeAdds squatting to criminal trespass, expanding criminalization per bill's summary.90% confidence ✗ HousingOpposes HousingExcludes squatters from tenant protections, directly weakening legal safeguards for vulnerable occupants.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Drug Policy Landlords Tenant Rights

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in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 5817: Enhances sentences for certain offenses involving weapons on or near school grounds

Enhances sentences for certain offenses involving weapons on or near school grounds; relates to the availability of certain records of juvenile delinquents or youthful offenders; relates to annual earnings limitations for certain retired police officers employed by a school district or a board of cooperative educational services; adds a defendant's identifiable ties to the community and state to consideration for whether to fix a securing order, including residence, employment, enrollment with an educational institution, and immediate family; allows courts to hold a pre-trial community safety and well-being hearing; relates to the court's consideration of the existence of extraordinary circumstances and significant physical injury in determining whether to remove adolescent offenders to family court; defines such terms; provides factors for the court's consideration of whether extraordinary circumstances exist; exempts adolescent offenders who were illegally in possession of a loaded firearm from those authorized to be removed to family court; modifies the crime of criminal solicitation in the third degree.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeEnhances sentences for weapon offenses near schools, increasing penalties which opposes criminal justice reform efforts to reduce harsh sentencing.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts Drug Policy Firearms

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in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 1824: Includes certain charges of criminal possession of a weapon in the third degree as a qualifying offense for consideration of an order of recognizance, release under non-monetary conditions or bail

Includes certain charges of criminal possession of a weapon in the third degree as a qualifying offense for consideration of an order of recognizance, release under non-monetary conditions or bail.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeExpands non-monetary release options for certain weapon charges, aligning with bail reform to reduce pretrial detention and protect defendant rights.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Drug Policy

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in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 3110: Relates to controlled substances and indeterminate sentences; to the expansion of merit time; repealer

Relates to controlled substances and indeterminate sentences; relates to the expansion of merit time; repeals provisions relating to the allowance of limited credit time for incarcerated individuals.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeRepeals limited credit time for incarcerated individuals, increasing sentence lengths and opposing sentencing reform by restricting earned time reductions.92% confidence

Sub-Topics Drug Policy

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in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 202: Adds ammunition to the list of prohibited items to purchase or dispose of after certain convictions

This bill amends New York's penal law to explicitly include ammunition in the list of items prohibited for individuals with certain criminal convictions or disabilities. It expands existing restrictions on firearms, rifles, and shotguns to cover ammunition, making it a class D felony to purchase, dispose of, or knowingly assist a prohibited person in obtaining ammunition. The law targets individuals barred from firearm possession due to prior convictions or other disqualifying factors, and also holds accountable those who facilitate such transactions. This change directly affects people with specific criminal histories and anyone who knowingly helps them acquire ammunition.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeExpands restrictions on prohibited individuals accessing ammunition, increasing criminalization of firearm-related activities for those with certain convictions.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Drug Policy Firearms

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in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 6787: Enhances sentences for certain offenses involving weapons on or near school grounds

Enhances sentences for certain offenses involving weapons on or near school grounds; relates to the availability of certain records of juvenile delinquents or youthful offenders; relates to annual earnings limitations for certain retired police officers employed by a school district or a board of cooperative educational services; adds a defendant's identifiable ties to the community and state to consideration for whether to fix a securing order, including residence, employment, enrollment with an educational institution, and immediate family; allows courts to hold a pre-trial community safety and well-being hearing; relates to the court's consideration of the existence of extraordinary circumstances and significant physical injury in determining whether to remove adolescent offenders to family court; defines such terms; provides factors for the court's consideration of whether extraordinary circumstances exist; exempts adolescent offenders who were illegally in possession of a loaded firearm from those authorized to be removed to family court; modifies the crime of criminal solicitation in the third degree.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeBill enhances sentences for weapon offenses near schools, increasing penalties and aligning with 'increases mandatory sentences' indicator95% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts Drug Policy Firearms

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in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 6736: Establishes certain offenses based on homicide due to criminal sale of a controlled substance and the criminal sale of a controlled substance to a child in the first degree

Establishes certain offenses based on homicide due to criminal sale of a controlled substance; establishes the offense of criminal sale of a controlled substance to a child in the first degree; expands the definition of controlled substances with respect to certain offenses; increases the felony classification of certain controlled substance offenses; includes electronic prescriptions and blank prescription forms in the definition of certain controlled substance offenses.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeIncreases felony classifications for drug offenses and expands criminalization of controlled substance sales, directly opposing criminal justice reform by strengthening penalties.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Drug Policy Violent Crime

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in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 6612: Relates to petition for expungement of records for certain marihuana convictions

S 6612 allows individuals convicted of simple marijuana possession (under Penal Law §222.25) with no prior or subsequent offenses to petition courts for expungement of their records. To qualify, applicants must wait two years after their conviction, complete all probation/parole/fines, and file a verified petition with required court documents. The court must grant expungement within 90 days if no objections are raised by prosecutors or law enforcement. This removes all court records related to the conviction, including arrest details and sentencing, for eligible individuals. The law applies to convictions both before and after its effective date.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill enables expungement of non-violent marijuana convictions, reducing barriers to reentry and aligning with criminal justice reform goals like reducing recidivism.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts Drug Policy Probation & Parole

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