Criminal Justice

in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 8815: Increases penalties for indecent exposure and public sexual activities occurring within public and association libraries

This bill increases criminal penalties for indecent exposure or public sexual acts committed in public or association libraries. It creates a new felony offense ("aggravated public lewdness") for repeat offenders (convicted within 10 years) or for engaging in sexual acts in libraries, raising penalties from misdemeanors to a class E felony. The law directly affects individuals committing these acts in libraries, with specific provisions targeting behavior observed by minors under 16. The changes apply to all public libraries and non-profit association libraries as defined in education law.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeBill increases penalties for specific acts, creating a new felony and expanding criminalization, aligning with 'oppose' indicators of increasing mandatory sentences and expanding criminalization.90% confidence

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in committee · New York · Senate May 27, 2025

S 6746: Establishes the crime of concealment of identity during a protest

This bill makes it a violation to wear a mask or facial covering that disguises identity during a protest, lawful assembly, or riot. It applies to anyone participating in such events who conceals their face, except for masks worn for weather protection, religious reasons, medical needs, or in specific public parades or exhibitions. The law criminalizes the act itself, not the protest or assembly, and specifies these four exceptions to the prohibition. The bill defines the violation as a separate offense under penal law, with no mention of penalties in the provided text.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeCriminalizes mask-wearing at protests, expanding criminalization of protest conduct; exceptions narrow but don't negate core restriction on assembly rights90% confidence

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in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 5604: Creates the crime of reckless endangerment of the public health for recklessly transmitting HIV/AIDS

Creates crimes of reckless endangerment of public health with respect to HIV/AIDS transmission; creates crime of filing false instrument with respect to HIV/AIDS; provides for HIV/AIDS testing for alleged sex offenders and public health offenders; provides for contagious disease testing for persons in the custody of the department of corrections; provides that if an incarcerated individual tests positive notice shall be given to all employees that will have contact with such incarcerated individual.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeCreates new criminal offense for reckless HIV transmission, expanding criminalization in public health context without reform indicators92% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections

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in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 25: Relates to barring a person convicted of a hate crime from attending any state public school of higher education

Bars a person who is convicted of a hate crime from attending any SUNY or CUNY institution; provides for the expulsion of a student who is convicted of hate crimes; provides for reinstatement of such student if the conviction is subsequently overturned.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeBill restricts educational access for hate crime convicts, reducing post-conviction rights beyond standard sentencing, aligning with 'oppose' indicators.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Civil Rights

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in committee · New York · Senate May 27, 2025

S 4821: Relates to cemetery desecration; repealer

Removes the $250 amount of damage from cemetery desecration in the second degree; makes cemetery desecration in the second degree a class E felony to apply to any damage or theft regardless of value; adds crime of cemetery desecration in the first degree and makes such crime a class D felony.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeBill increases penalties for cemetery desecration by making it a felony regardless of damage value, expanding criminalization and harshening sentencing.95% confidence

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in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 5573: Provides that rape in the first degree shall be a class A-I felony

This bill reclassifies rape in the first degree as a class A-I felony under New York's penal law, making it one of the most serious criminal offenses. It mandates life imprisonment without parole for anyone convicted of this specific crime, removing eligibility for parole or conditional release. The law directly affects individuals convicted of rape in the first degree, requiring judges to impose this sentence without discretion. This change updates sentencing requirements to align with the severity classification of the crime.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeMandates mandatory life without parole for first-degree rape, increasing sentencing severity and removing judicial discretion, aligning with 'increases mandatory sentences' indicator.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Probation & Parole Sentencing

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in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 1039: Creates the crime of unlawful possession of a radio frequency jamming device

This bill creates a new class D felony offense for knowingly possessing a device that disrupts wireless communications (like cell signals or GPS) without legal authorization. It directly affects individuals who own or carry such jamming devices, including those used to interfere with emergency services or commercial networks. The law prohibits possession of any device capable of emitting radio noise or signals that interfere with wireless communications. Violators face criminal penalties under state law, with the offense defined as unlawful possession without a right to do so.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeCreates new felony for jamming devices, expanding criminalization without reform focus or oversight improvements.90% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyCriminalizes unauthorized jamming of wireless networks, directly enhancing cybersecurity by preventing interference with critical communications infrastructure.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Drug Policy Telecommunications

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in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 5393: Relates to offenses committed while in or upon a building, facility, property, vehicle or train owned, leased or operated by the metropolitan transportation authority

Relates to sexual abuse in the first degree where a person is incapable of consent while a passenger on public transportation and the contact was intentional and with the sole purpose of sexual gratification; relates to public lewdness while a passenger on public transportation; establishes enhanced penalties for offenses committed while in or upon a building, facility, property, vehicle or train owned, leased or operated by the metropolitan transportation authority; provides for the suspension or revocation of the use of a building, facility, property, vehicle or train owned, leased or operated by the metropolitan transportation authority.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeBill establishes enhanced penalties for sexual abuse and public lewdness on public transportation, expanding criminalization and increasing punitive measures without reform indicators.95% confidence

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in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 4210: Enacts "CJ's law" in relation to increasing the penalties for leaving the scene of an accident without reporting where such accident resulted in the death of a minor

Enacts "CJ's law" in relation to increasing the penalties for leaving the scene of an accident without reporting where such accident resulted in the death of a minor to a class C felony punishable by a fine of not less than four thousand nor more than eight thousand dollars in addition to any other penalties provided by law.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeIncreases penalties for hit-and-run causing minor's death to class C felony, aligning with 'oppose' indicators of harsher sentencing.95% confidence

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in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 105: Includes within the class A misdemeanor of criminal possession of a weapon in the fourth degree, the possession of a weapon, outside the home, while intoxicated; repealer

Includes within the class A misdemeanor of criminal possession of a weapon in the fourth degree, the possession of a firearm, rifle or shotgun, outside the home, while impaired or intoxicated by use of alcohol or drugs; increases maximum fine for such offense to $10,000; provides for chemical testing of certain persons for whom there is reasonable cause to believe are in violation of such provision; provides for revocation of firearms permit upon conviction or refusal of a chemical test.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeExpands criminalization of weapon possession while intoxicated, increases penalties, and revokes firearms permits - strengthening punitive measures rather than reforming justice.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Drug Policy Firearms

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