Criminal Justice

in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 4250: Increases the penalties for theft of a companion animal

This bill increases penalties for stealing companion animals (like dogs and cats) by amending New York's Agriculture and Markets Law. It raises the maximum jail sentence from six months to one year for offenders convicted of this theft, while keeping the maximum fine at $5,000. The change directly affects individuals who steal pets, making the punishment more severe under existing law. The bill amends Section 366 of the Agriculture and Markets Law, effective 90 days after enactment.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeIncreases maximum jail sentence for pet theft, raising penalties under sentencing laws, aligning with 'oppose' indicators of stricter sentencing.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections

Track

in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 1973: Relates to prohibiting supervised injection sites

Relates to prohibiting supervised injection sites; provides that it shall be unlawful for any person to own, operate, work in or volunteer at a supervised injection site; defines terms and establishes penalties.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeBill prohibits supervised injection sites, opposing harm reduction initiatives in criminal justice reform that reduce drug-related offenses through medical supervision.95% confidence ✗ HealthcareOpposes HealthcareBill prohibits supervised injection sites, which are public health services for harm reduction, restricting access to a healthcare-related program.92% confidence

Sub-Topics Drug Policy Substance Abuse

Track

in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 2603: Relates to the offense of aggravated cruelty to animals

S 2603 expands the definition of "aggravated cruelty to animals" to include intentionally causing injury with a deadly weapon (like a gun or knife) or a dangerous instrument (like a broken bottle). This specifically targets individuals who use such objects to harm companion animals, making it a more severe offense. The law defines "aggravated cruelty" as conduct meant to cause extreme pain or carried out in a depraved, sadistic way. It directly affects people convicted of animal cruelty involving weapons, increasing penalties for those acts. The bill takes effect immediately upon enactment.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeBill expands criminal definition for animal cruelty, increasing sentencing severity, aligning with 'oppose' indicators of stricter penalties.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Firearms

Track

in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 9150: Makes aggravated cruelty to animals a class E felony; repealer

This bill makes intentionally causing extreme pain to companion animals (like dogs, cats, and household pets) a class E felony. It defines "aggravated cruelty" as conduct intended to cause extreme pain or carried out in a depraved/sadistic manner, while excluding lawful activities such as hunting, veterinary care, or dispatching diseased animals. Convicted individuals may lose ownership of the animals involved and forfeit them to humane societies. The law repeals an outdated provision and adds these definitions and penalties to New York’s penal code. It directly affects individuals who commit severe animal cruelty against companion animals, not farm animals.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeBill elevates animal cruelty to felony, expanding criminalization. Increases penalties without reform alignment, matching 'oppose' indicators.90% confidence

Track

in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 7404: Relates to establishing the offense of aggravated reckless driving

This bill creates a new offense called "aggravated reckless driving" for cases where reckless driving causes actual harm to a person or property. It defines this as a more serious class A misdemeanor (compared to standard reckless driving, which is a lower-level misdemeanor) and specifies that defendants charged with this offense may be released on bail. The law applies to drivers who endanger others or damage property while operating a vehicle, including in private parking lots used for business access (with four+ spaces), but excludes single-family residential driveways. This changes the legal consequences for drivers whose actions directly cause injury or property damage.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeCreates stricter misdemeanor classification for reckless driving causing harm, expanding criminalization without reform elements like rehabilitation or accountability.85% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationBill creates stricter penalties for reckless driving causing harm, directly enhancing transportation safety standards under vehicle regulations.90% confidence

Track

in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 8217: Relates to procedures relating to driving while ability impaired by drugs

Bill A 8217 amends the vehicle and traffic law by altering the definition of "drug." Currently, the definition includes specific substances listed in public health law and cannabis. This bill proposes to expand that definition to include any substance or combination of substances that impair, to any extent, a person's physical or mental abilities. This change would affect drivers and law enforcement in cases related to driving while ability impaired by drugs.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeExpands criminalization by broadening drug definition for DUI, increasing potential prosecutions under impaired driving laws.95% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationBill expands drug impairment definition in vehicle law, enhancing traffic safety enforcement under transportation regulations.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Drug Policy

Track

in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 1957: Relates to establishing the offense of false pretense

This bill makes it a felony to impersonate someone online (e.g., via social media, email, or digital profiles) with the intent to harm, intimidate, threaten, or defraud them. It specifically targets situations where others reasonably believe the impersonator is the real person. Violations are classified as a class D felony, punishable by up to seven years in prison. The law directly affects individuals who commit malicious online impersonation, creating a legal remedy for victims.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeCreates new felony for online impersonation, expanding criminalization and increasing penalties (up to 7 years), opposing reform by broadening criminal liability.90% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyBill criminalizes malicious online impersonation to protect victims from fraud/harm, directly enhancing cybersecurity and data privacy protections against digital threats.92% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Social Media

Track

in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 690: Relates to aggravated cruelty to animals in the presence of a child

Relates to aggravated cruelty to animals in the presence of a child; increases the potential term of imprisonment from two to four years when such crime is committed in the presence of a child; defines presence of a child.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeBill increases mandatory sentencing for animal cruelty, aligning with 'increases mandatory sentences' indicator for oppose stance.85% confidence

Track

in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 3577: Relates to the crime of endangering the welfare of a child

Creates a new class D violent felony offense of endangering the welfare of a child in the first degree; converts the current offense of endangering the welfare of a child to a second degree crime.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeBill creates new violent felony classification for child endangerment, increasing penalties and aligning with OPPOSE indicators of stricter sentencing.95% confidence

Track

in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 4699: Relates to the crime of aggravated harassment of an employee by an incarcerated individual

Relates to the crime of aggravated harassment of an employee by an incarcerated individual; requires any imprisonment imposed by such conviction run consecutively to any undischarged term of imprisonment to which the defendant is subject.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeRequires consecutive imprisonment for aggravated harassment by incarcerated individuals, increasing mandatory sentences without reform elements.95% confidence

Track