Criminal Justice

in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 2605: Provides that impersonation of a disabled veteran vendor is a class A misdemeanor

Provides that impersonation of a disabled veteran vendor, by carrying or possessing a specialized vending license without authority or any form of insignia or by words or actions is a class A misdemeanor.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeBill creates new misdemeanor offense for impersonating disabled veteran vendors, expanding criminalization within criminal justice system.95% confidence ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransPrevents fraud against disabled veterans' status by criminalizing impersonation, protecting their recognition and benefits integrity.95% confidence

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in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 5785: 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 by adding intoxication to weapon possession offenses, increases penalties (fine to $10k), and revokes firearms permits, restricting rights and strengthening enforcement.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Drug Policy Firearms

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in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 3492: Increases the penalties for overtaking and passing a school bus

Increases the penalties for overtaking and passing a school bus; provides that for the first conviction a person shall be punished by a fine of not less than $350 nor more than $500; provides that for a second conviction a person shall be punished by a fine of not less than $500 nor more than $800; also provides that for a third conviction a person shall be punished by a fine of not less than $800 nor more than $1000.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeIncreases penalties for school bus passing violations through higher fines, aligning with stricter sentencing policies rather than criminal justice reform.90% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill increases penalties for unsafe school bus passing, directly protecting K-12 students during transportation - a core safety measure under education policy.95% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationIncreases penalties for unsafe school bus passing, directly enhancing road safety standards within transportation infrastructure policy.95% confidence

Sub-Topics School Transportation Driver Licensing Public Transit Traffic Safety

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in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 2458: Changes the designation of incest from a class E to a class B felony

Changes the designation of incest in the third degree from a class E to a class B felony, and incest in the second degree from a class D to a class B felony.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeUpgrades incest penalties to higher felony classifications, increasing mandatory sentencing severity without reform elements.95% confidence

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in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 3261: Establishes the crime of criminal sale of a controlled substance upon the grounds of a drug or alcohol treatment center, or alcoholics anonymous or narcotics anonymous meeting

Establishes the crime of criminal sale of a controlled substance upon the grounds of a drug or alcohol treatment center, or alcoholics anonymous or narcotics anonymous meeting; designates such crime as a class E felony.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeCreates new felony for drug sales at treatment centers/AA meetings, expanding criminalization rather than advancing reform or rehabilitation.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Drug Policy

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in committee · New York · Senate May 5, 2026

S 3639: Relates to penalties for leaving the scene of an accident involving a death

S 3639, "Nick's Law," increases penalties for drivers who flee the scene of an accident resulting in death. It upgrades the offense to a class B felony (with fines of $2,000-$30,000) instead of a lower misdemeanor, directly affecting drivers who leave such accidents without reporting. The bill also adjusts court procedures for adolescent offenders charged with this specific hit-and-run, requiring additional factors to be considered before transferring cases to family court. These changes aim to strengthen accountability for leaving death-related accident scenes.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeIncreases penalties to class B felony for hit-and-run deaths, aligning with 'increases mandatory sentences' indicator for oppose stance.95% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationBill enhances road safety by increasing penalties for hit-and-run deaths, directly addressing vehicle regulation safety standards within transportation policy.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts

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in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 5881: Provides for sentence of life without parole for defendants convicted of certain sex offenses against a child or mentally disabled person; repealer

Provides for the imposition of a sentence of life imprisonment without parole for defendants convicted of certain sex offenses against a child or mentally disabled person.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeMandates life without parole for specific sex offenses against vulnerable victims, increasing mandatory sentences and restricting defendant rights.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Probation & Parole

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in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 4185: Increases penalty for leaving scene of an accident without reporting to class E felony

This bill (S 4185) changes penalties for drivers who flee an accident scene without reporting. It reclassifies the basic offense - leaving without exchanging information or reporting - as a class E felony (previously a misdemeanor), with fines of $1,000-$2,500. If the accident causes serious injury, it becomes a class E felony ($1,000-$5,000 fine); if it causes death, it becomes a class D felony ($2,000-$5,000 fine). The bill directly affects drivers who fail to stop and report after collisions, increasing penalties for this specific behavior.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeReclassifies minor traffic offense as felony, increasing penalties and expanding criminalization without reform elements.95% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationBill increases penalties for hit-and-run offenses, directly enhancing road safety standards by deterring drivers from fleeing accident scenes.95% confidence

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in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 2731: Allows rifles, shotguns, and firearms on college and university campuses

This bill amends New York's penal law to remove criminal penalties for possessing rifles, shotguns, or firearms on college and university campuses. It explicitly states that the prohibition on weapon possession "shall not apply to college or university buildings or grounds," meaning students, faculty, and visitors could legally carry such firearms without authorization on campus. However, the bill maintains that schools cannot authorize teachers, administrators, or non-security staff to carry weapons - only certified security personnel with special registration may be permitted to do so. The change eliminates the current class E felony charge for firearm possession on campus grounds, shifting the legal standard for campus safety.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeBill removes criminal penalties for campus firearm possession, expanding gun access contrary to criminal justice reform goals of reducing violence and enhancing safety measures.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Drug Policy Firearms

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in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 1473: Relates to the justified use of physical force

Relates to the justified use of physical force; removes requirement that a person facing an imminent physical threat must retreat; provides immunity from civil and criminal liability.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeRemoves retreat requirement for physical force use and grants immunity, weakening law enforcement accountability - aligns with 'oppose' indicators.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Firearms

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