Criminal Justice

in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 7138: Prohibits the release of certain records of victims of police violence by a coroner, coroner's physician or medical examiner

Prohibits the release of criminal history or any mental health history records by a coroner, coroner's physician or medical examiner of individuals who were the subject of the use of force by a police or peace officer.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeBill restricts release of victim records in police violence cases, hindering transparency and accountability in law enforcement oversight.80% confidence

Sub-Topics Policing

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in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 7676: Relates to criminal possession of a weapon in the third degree

This bill increases penalties for individuals who possess a weapon in subway stations, train stations, terminals, or on mass transit vehicles (like buses or trains) and use or attempt to use that weapon to commit another crime. It directly affects people carrying weapons in transit areas who escalate their actions to commit additional offenses. The key mechanism adds a new rule to the penal code, treating such weapon use in transit as a more serious crime (fourth-degree possession) rather than a lesser charge. The law applies to all public and private mass transit systems operating in these locations.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeIncreases penalties for weapon possession in transit when escalated to other crimes, expanding criminalization and strengthening sentencing without reform elements.95% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationBill enhances transportation safety by increasing penalties for weapon possession in transit areas (subway/train stations), directly addressing public transit security within the transportation topic.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Drug Policy Public Transit

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in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 5467: Relates to granting local law enforcement agencies the authority to enforce federal immigration law

Relates to granting local law enforcement agencies the authority to enforce federal immigration law under the 287(g) program in order to enhance the enforcement of federal immigration laws regarding individuals engaged in criminal activity.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeBill expands local law enforcement's authority to enforce federal immigration law under 287(g), increasing criminalization of immigration status tied to criminal activity rather than advancing reform or reducing enforcement.92% confidence ✗ ImmigrationOpposes ImmigrationThe bill grants local law enforcement agencies authority to enforce federal immigration law, which increases state immigration enforcement.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Driver Licenses & IDs Enforcement Sanctuary Policies

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in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 6547: Relates to the use of a vehicle as a weapon

Relates to the "Heather D. Heyer act" which increases penalties where a vehicle is used as a weapon in a hate crime and makes it illegal to travel upon a roadway in a vehicle within 1000 feet of a protest.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeIncreases penalties for vehicle-as-weapon hate crimes and restricts protest access, aligning with 'increases mandatory sentences' and 'expands criminalization' indicators.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Civil Rights

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in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 1501: Includes the throwing, tossing or expelling of saliva at or on an employee of a correctional facility within the crime of aggravated harassment of an employee by an incarcerated individual

Includes the throwing, tossing or expelling of saliva at or on an employee of a correctional facility within the crime of aggravated harassment of an employee by an incarcerated individual.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeExpands criminalization by adding saliva-throwing to aggravated harassment, increasing penalties for inmate misconduct against correctional staff.90% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentBill enhances workplace safety for correctional employees by criminalizing saliva-throwing as aggravated harassment, directly protecting workers' safety in their workplace.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Employment Discrimination

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in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 5069: Relates to "Chelsey's law"

Enacts "Chelsey's law"; provides that a person commits the crime of manslaughter or aggravated manslaughter when such person knows or has reasonable grounds to know that a controlled substance is likely to cause the death of another person and sells, administers, delivers, or causes the delivery of a controlled substance to another person and such substance causes, contributes to, or aids in the death of such other person.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeCreates manslaughter charge for drug dealers causing death, expanding criminalization and increasing penalties.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Drug Policy

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in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 717: Relates to the damage of a building or motor vehicle caused by fire or explosion in the course of the commission of a felony

Establishes that a person is guilty of arson when such person damages a building or motor vehicle by fire or explosion in the course of the commission or attempted commission of a felony.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeExpands criminalization by creating new arson offense for felony-related property damage, increasing penalties.85% confidence

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in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 4459: Relates to adding W-18 to the schedule of controlled substances

This bill adds W-18 (a specific synthetic compound) to Schedule I of the public health law, classifying it as a controlled substance. It directly affects anyone possessing, distributing, or manufacturing W-18, as it would now be subject to the same legal restrictions as other Schedule I drugs. The key mechanism is a technical amendment to Schedule I, inserting W-18's chemical name as a new listed substance under the law. This is a procedural change to the controlled substances schedule with no new penalties or enforcement mechanisms.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeBill adds W-18 to Schedule I controlled substances, expanding criminalization of possession/distribution. Aligns with 'oppose' indicator: expands criminalization.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Drug Policy

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in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 3982: Establishes the crime of failure to report a school safety threat

This bill (A 3982) creates a new class A misdemeanor for individuals aged 13 or older who fail to immediately report school safety threats they discover through social media, written, verbal, or electronic communications. It defines "school safety threats" broadly to include any statement or behavior indicating intent to harm students, staff, or school property, such as online posts. The law requires reporting via phone, email, or in person to law enforcement and excludes children under 13 or those with impaired judgment. Schools must also conduct annual training on these reporting requirements, and the state must develop education programs about the law.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeCreates new misdemeanor for failing to report school threats, expanding criminalization rather than reforming justice system.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Law Enforcement

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in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 222: Relates to assault on a straphanger

This bill makes it a class C felony to cause someone to fall onto subway tracks through physical contact like shoving or kicking. It directly affects individuals who commit such assaults on subway platforms, increasing the legal penalty for these specific acts. The key provision defines "assault on a straphanger" as a new felony, adding it to the list of serious crimes punishable by up to 7.5 years in prison. The law applies to any physical contact resulting in a person falling onto subway tracks, aiming to protect passengers from intentional harm.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeIncreases penalties for subway assault by creating new felony, expanding criminalization with up to 7.5 years prison95% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationBill enhances subway safety by criminalizing assaults causing falls onto tracks, directly protecting public transit users and aligning with transportation safety indicators.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Violent Crime Public Transit

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