Criminal Justice

in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 4130: Provides legal assistance to youth ordered by the court into the custody of the office of children and family services and placed or committed to a state operated juvenile detention center

Provides legal assistance to youth ordered by the court into the custody of the office of children and family services and placed or committed to a state operated juvenile detention center.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeProvides legal assistance to juveniles in detention, protecting rights and aligning with reform by ensuring due process in youth criminal justice system.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts Juvenile Justice

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in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 1430: Requires insurance and Medicaid coverage for inpatient and outpatient substance abuse treatment for a period of not less than forty-five days

This bill requires all health insurance plans and Medicaid to cover inpatient and outpatient substance use disorder treatment for at least 45 days, directly affecting individuals seeking addiction care. It mandates that coverage includes unlimited medically necessary treatment in residential settings for inpatient care and prohibits insurers from applying stricter financial or treatment limits (like prior authorization) to substance use disorder services than those applied to standard medical care. The law applies to both hospital and medical insurance policies, ensuring consistent coverage without extra hurdles for addiction treatment. This creates a concrete policy change by standardizing minimum coverage duration and removing discriminatory restrictions in insurance practices.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeMandates substance abuse treatment coverage, aligning with rehabilitation-focused criminal justice reform to reduce recidivism.85% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates 45-day coverage for substance abuse treatment, prohibits stricter limits than medical care, expanding access to addiction services.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Insurance Mental Health Substance Abuse

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in committee · New York · Senate Jan 8, 2025

S 964: Relates to the prohibition on certain databases and registries

Provides that no state or local agency, or any agent thereof, may use any funds, facilities, property, equipment or personnel of such agency to investigate, enforce or provide assistance in the investigation or enforcement of any federal program requiring registration of individuals, or maintaining a database of individuals, on the basis of race, color, creed, gender, sexual orientation, religion or national or ethnic origin.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeProhibits state agencies from using funds for databases based on protected characteristics, preventing discriminatory law enforcement practices.95% confidence ✓ ImmigrationSupports ImmigrationBill prohibits state/local agencies from assisting federal programs that register individuals based on national/ethnic origin, thereby limiting cooperation with federal enforcement.85% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyProhibits state agencies from creating/maintaining databases based on protected characteristics, directly enhancing data privacy protections.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Enforcement Sanctuary Policies

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in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 5443: Relates to unlawful possession or sale of imitation drug paraphernalia

Establishes the crime of unlawful possession or sale of imitation drug paraphernalia when such person knowingly possesses, purchases, delivers, sells, or possesses with intent to sell or deliver any punch, die, plate, stone, pill press, tableting machine, encapsulating machine or any other equipment in order to print, imprint, or reproduce the trademark, trade name or other identifying mark, imprint or device of another or any likeness of any of the foregoing upon any substance or container or labeling thereof knowing, intending, or having reasonable cause to believe that it will be used to manufacture an imitation drug.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeBill creates new crime for possessing equipment to counterfeit drug labels, expanding criminalization per indicators.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Drug Policy

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in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 8745: Provides for an adverse inference in disciplinary proceedings against testimony of correction officers who disable cameras

Provides for an adverse inference against the testimony of an officer or other employee of the department of corrections and community supervision, where such officer or other employee violated department rules or regulations by turning off a facility camera or body-worn camera or otherwise prevented such camera or cameras from recording the incident which is the subject of such disciplinary proceeding.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill mandates adverse inference for correction officers disabling cameras, enhancing accountability in corrections, a key criminal justice component.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Probation & Parole

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passed · New York · Senate Apr 24, 2025

S 3831: Relates to removing the ten year time period from the crime of persistent sexual abuse

Bill S 3831 amends the state's penal law regarding the crime of persistent sexual abuse. Currently, a person can be charged with persistent sexual abuse if they commit certain sexual abuse offenses and have two or more prior convictions for similar crimes within a ten-year period, excluding time incarcerated. This bill removes that ten-year time limit for prior convictions. As a result, any qualifying past convictions, regardless of when they occurred, would count towards a charge of persistent sexual abuse, affecting how individuals with multiple past sexual abuse convictions are prosecuted for subsequent offenses.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeBill removes ten-year limit for prior convictions in persistent sexual abuse, increasing sentencing severity by including older convictions. Aligns with 'increases mandatory sentences' indicator for oppose.90% confidence

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in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 4092: Establishes the crime of homicide by sale of an opiate controlled substance

This bill creates a new class A-1 felony offense for unlawfully selling or transporting an opiate controlled substance (as defined by public health law) that causes another person's death. It directly affects individuals who sell or transport opiates (like heroin or fentanyl) when such actions result in fatalities. The law includes a limited defense if the defendant jointly used the substance with the deceased for mutual consumption. The offense carries the highest felony penalty under New York law, with the bill named "Laree's Law" in recognition of opioid-related deaths.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeCreates new class A-1 felony for opiate sales causing death, increasing penalties and expanding criminalization without reform elements.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Drug Policy Violent Crime

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in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 6728: Relates to the confidentiality of personnel records of police officers, firefighters, correction officers and probation officers

This bill makes personnel records for police officers, firefighters, correction officers, and probation officers confidential. It prohibits public inspection or disclosure without the officer's written consent, except under strict court orders. Courts may only grant access after a hearing where all parties can be heard, and judges must verify the request has sufficient factual basis before sealing records for review. The law does not apply to prosecutors, attorneys general, or agencies like grand juries that legally require such records for official duties.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeBill restricts public access to law enforcement personnel records, weakening transparency and oversight mechanisms in criminal justice.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts Policing Probation & Parole

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in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 5562: Provides for presumptive eligibility for medical assistance benefits of individuals leaving incarceration

Provides presumptive eligibility for medical assistance benefits for individuals released from correctional facilities for at least sixty days following release.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeProvides medical benefits for post-incarceration individuals, supporting rehabilitation and reducing recidivism - key criminal justice reform goals.90% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareExpands healthcare access for formerly incarcerated individuals by providing immediate medical assistance eligibility, improving coverage continuity post-release.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections

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in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 3481: Relates to national instant criminal background checks and ammunition; repealer

Removes ammunition and ammunition sales from the requirements of background checks; repeals certain provisions of law relating thereto; repeals the background check fund.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeBill removes ammunition background checks and repeals the background check fund, directly weakening a key criminal justice safety measure for gun violence prevention.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Firearms

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