Criminal Justice

in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 6553: Relates to comprehensive services to individuals with a persistent pattern of involvement in the New York city criminal justice system

Directs the New York city mayor's office of criminal justice to provide comprehensive services to 9,000 individuals identified as having a persistent pattern of involvement in the New York city criminal justice system; provides that income from vocational programs shall not be considered for purposes of determining public assistance.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeProvides vocational services to reduce recidivism, ensuring income from programs doesn't affect public assistance eligibility95% confidence

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in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 4684: Establishes the crime of aggravated criminal concealment of identity

This bill creates a new offense called "aggravated criminal concealment of identity" for individuals who commit certain serious crimes while wearing a mask or face covering. It directly affects people committing listed offenses like assault, stalking, sexual abuse, kidnapping, robbery, or terrorism-related crimes while concealing their identity. The key mechanism is automatic sentencing enhancement: if the underlying crime is a violent felony, this new offense is treated as a violent felony; for other crimes, it elevates the offense category. Minimum sentences are specified, such as at least six years for indeterminate sentences when the underlying crime is a class B felony.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeCreates new offense with automatic sentencing enhancement for masked violent crimes, expanding criminal penalties rather than reforming justice system.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Domestic Violence Sentencing Violent Crime

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in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 5087: Requires the department of corrections and community supervision to create a family reunion program

Requires the department of corrections and community supervision to create a family reunion program to provide eligible incarcerated individuals and their families the opportunity to meet for an extended period of time in a residential setting.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeCreates family reunion program to maintain family bonds, reducing recidivism through rehabilitation support in corrections95% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Probation & Parole

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in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 7176: Requires certain justices and judges to visit the correctional facility with the highest population in the county in which such justice or judge was elected or appointed

Requires justices of the supreme court, judges of the county court and judges of the court of claims, regularly sitting in a criminal term or in a term with criminal as well as civil jurisdiction to visit the correctional facility with the highest population of incarcerated individuals in the county in which such justice is appointed or elected within two years of such appointment or election and every two years thereafter; requires a report on the conditions of such correctional facility.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeRequires judges to visit correctional facilities and report conditions, enhancing oversight and promoting transparency for potential criminal justice reforms.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Judges

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in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 4976: Relates to drug and domestic violence offenses qualifying for bail

This bill amends New York's bail laws to include drug offenses, domestic violence crimes, and offenses causing death or serious physical injury as "qualifying offenses" that may trigger stricter bail conditions. It directly affects defendants charged with these specific crimes, requiring courts to consider them when deciding whether to release someone on their own recognizance, set bail, or impose custody. Key provisions add new categories to existing bail rules, including "aggravated family offenses" (covering domestic violence) and class B-D felonies under Article 220 of the Penal Law. The law maintains existing exceptions, such as releasing defendants for negligible property theft not linked to broader criminal activity.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeBill expands strict bail conditions for drug/domestic violence offenses, restricting defendant release options and reducing rights per bail reform indicators.92% confidence

Sub-Topics Domestic Violence

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in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 5137: Requires the prosecution to disclose to the defendant certain information relating to jailhouse informants; requires prosecutors to notify victims of the informant's crimes in certain circumstances

Requires the prosecution to disclose to defense counsel certain information relating to jailhouse informants; requires prosecutors to notify victims of the informant's crimes if the prosecutor has offered the informant a benefit in exchange for testimony or other cooperation.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeRequires disclosure of jailhouse informant info to defendants, enhancing transparency and defendant rights in criminal proceedings, aligning with reform indicators.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Victims' Rights

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in committee · New York · Senate Apr 29, 2025

S 1806: Prohibits correctional facilities from denying entry to certain peer support advocates based on such advocates' prior history of incarceration

Prohibits correctional facilities from denying entry to peer support advocates who are certified or licensed and are participating in the provision of corrections-based substance use disorder treatment and transition services based on such advocates' prior history of incarceration.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill removes barriers for formerly incarcerated peer advocates in correctional facilities, directly supporting rehabilitation programs and reducing recidivism through expanded access to substance use treatment services.92% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill enables peer support for substance use disorder treatment in correctional facilities by removing barriers based on prior incarceration, improving access to mental health services.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Drug Policy Substance Abuse

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in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 5078: Relates to reporting voting rates for parole commissioners

S 5078 requires the State Board of Parole to include in its annual report the specific release voting rate for each individual parole commissioner when reviewing applicants for community supervision or deportation. This mandates tracking and reporting how often each commissioner votes to release people appearing before the board, broken down by demographic categories like age, gender, race, and ethnicity. The bill directly affects parole commissioners (who make release decisions) and the State Board of Parole (which compiles the report). It adds this transparency measure to existing reporting requirements without changing parole eligibility or procedures.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeMandates transparency in parole commissioners' voting rates with demographic breakdowns, enhancing oversight of release decisions within criminal justice system.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Probation & Parole

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in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 32: Relates to setting bail for defendants who pose a threat to public safety

Relates to setting bail for dangerous defendants who pose a threat to public safety; requires a court to make an individualized determination based on the principal's record of a prior felony conviction, failure to appear in court or arrest during the interim period while awaiting a preliminary hearing or trial.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeBill mandates stricter bail for dangerous defendants with prior felonies/failure to appear, reducing defendant rights and increasing detention - aligns with OPPOSE indicators.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts

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passed · New York · Senate Jun 5, 2026

S 5317: Requires the office of addiction services and supports to collect certain demographic data

Requires the office of addiction services and supports to collect certain demographic data for incarcerated individuals in medication assisted treatment programs.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeCollects demographic data for incarcerated individuals in MAT programs to improve rehabilitation access and address disparities, advancing criminal justice reform goals.85% confidence

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