Criminal Justice

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 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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in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 3934: Provides that a fentanyl analogue shall be deemed to be a schedule I opiate

This bill (S 3934) defines "fentanyl analogue" as any synthetic opioid structurally similar to fentanyl through specific chemical modifications (e.g., changes to its ring structures or groups). It classifies all such analogues as Schedule I drugs under New York's public health law, treating them like the most strictly controlled narcotics. The law also removes the requirement for individuals to know a substance's chemical structure to be charged with possession or sale of these analogues. Exceptions include FDA-approved medications and substances used under investigational exemptions.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeExpands criminalization by classifying fentanyl analogues as Schedule I drugs and removing knowledge of chemical structure as a defense, increasing penalties for drug offenses.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Drug Policy

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in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 3282: Adds assaults against certain employees of state and local government agencies as an assault in the second degree

Establishes a person is guilty of assault in the second degree when such person intends to cause physical injury to an employee of New York state or any of its political subdivisions or of a public authority or a public benefit corporation while such employee is performing such employee's duties.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeBill expands criminalization by classifying assaults on public employees as second-degree assault, increasing penalties for such offenses.90% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentProtects government employees from assault during work duties, directly enhancing workplace safety protections for specific labor groups.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Violent Crime

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in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 2361: Relates to adolescent offenders authorized to be removed to family court

This bill amends New York's criminal procedure law to exclude certain adolescent offenders from being transferred to family court. Specifically, it exempts minors who displayed a shotgun, rifle, or deadly weapon during their offense, or who were illegally in possession of a loaded firearm, from the category of offenders eligible for family court jurisdiction. The change means these individuals would instead face prosecution in adult criminal court rather than juvenile family court. The law directly affects adolescent defendants charged with offenses involving firearms, altering the criteria for court placement. This policy change takes effect on November 1st following enactment.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeExcludes violent juvenile offenders from family court jurisdiction, directing them to adult criminal court instead of juvenile rehabilitation, opposing reform efforts to keep minors in juvenile system.92% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts Firearms Juvenile Justice

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in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 7242: Relates to the imposition of securing orders for certain crimes committed by individuals without permanent residency status

Relates to the imposition of securing orders for offenses committed on a peace officer, police officer, firefighter, emergency medical services professional or uniformed worker by individuals without permanent residency status; provides such individuals shall be remanded to the custody of the sheriff for the entirety of the judicial proceedings related thereto.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeMandates custody for non-residents committing crimes against officers, restricting defendant rights and increasing severity without reform indicators.90% confidence ✗ ImmigrationOpposes ImmigrationMandates state custody for non-residents committing crimes against first responders, increasing enforcement against undocumented immigrants without protections.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Policing Driver Licenses & IDs Enforcement Sanctuary Policies

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in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 2645: Expands the definition of the offense of murder in the first degree to include murder occurring after an attempt to commit certain sexual offenses

S 2645 expands New York's first-degree murder definition to include killings of emergency responders (like firefighters, EMTs, paramedics, or nurses) during their official duties, provided the defendant knew the victim was in that role. This new provision (subdivision 1-a, paragraph (a)(ii-a)) directly affects individuals who commit such killings, elevating the charge from second-degree murder. The key mechanism requires the defendant to have known the victim was performing emergency services at the time of the killing. The bill does not change existing murder definitions related to sexual offenses, which were already covered under prior provisions (subdivision 1(a)(vii)).

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeElevates murder charges for killing emergency responders, increasing penalties rather than promoting reform or reducing sentences.95% confidence

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in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 4406: Establishes the crimes of carjacking in first, second and third degrees

Establishes the crimes of carjacking in first, second and third degrees, as the stealing of a motor vehicle from a person or presence of another person through the use or threatened use of force; increases penalties for causing injury to such victim, displaying a real or fake gun or using such a weapon; provides that all carjackings are violent felony offenses.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeIncreases penalties for carjacking, classifies as violent felony, expands criminalization per bill summary95% confidence

Sub-Topics Firearms Policing

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in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 3142: Relates to the timing of discovery for the crime of homicide

This bill (S 3142) modifies New York's criminal procedure law to allow prosecutors to withhold the identities of certain witnesses and victims in homicide cases. Specifically, it permits the withholding of information related to 911 callers, victims of violent felonies (including those under Penal Law articles 125, 130, or 230.34), or witnesses in cases where the defendant has proven ties to a criminal enterprise. Prosecutors no longer need court approval to withhold this information - though they must notify the defendant in writing - unless the court orders disclosure for "good cause." The change directly affects defendants in homicide cases with documented criminal enterprise affiliations and aims to protect vulnerable witnesses from potential retaliation.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeRemoves court approval for withholding witness/victim identities, restricting defendant rights in homicide cases per bill's modification of discovery rules.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts Violent Crime

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in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 5042: Relates to the definition of a sexually violent offender and sex offense as applied to out-of-state offenders

This bill updates New York's definition of a "sexually violent offender" to include out-of-state convictions that match New York's standards. It specifically adds federal sex offense statutes (like those covering child pornography or sex trafficking) to the list of qualifying crimes, provided the offense elements are substantially similar to New York's definitions. This change affects individuals convicted of certain sex offenses in other states who now must register as sex offenders in New York if their crime aligns with the state's criteria. The law takes effect immediately and applies to out-of-state offenders subject to New York's registration requirements.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeBill expands sex offender registration to include out-of-state convictions matching NY standards, increasing mandatory registration requirements.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Human Trafficking

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