Criminal Justice (Drug Policy)

in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 6851: Relates to penalties for the crimes relating to methamphetamine laboratory operations

Relates to penalties for the crimes relating to methamphetamine laboratory operations, including criminal possession of methamphetamine manufacturing materials and unlawful manufacture of methamphetamines.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeBill increases penalties for meth lab crimes, expanding criminalization without reform indicators.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Drug Policy

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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

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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

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in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 4863: Relates to the criminal possession of fentanyl

This bill reclassifies criminal possession of fentanyl (or fentanyl analogs) used to enhance other illegal substances as a class E felony under New York law. It directly affects individuals who knowingly possess, manufacture, distribute, or use fentanyl for this purpose, shifting the offense to a felony-level penalty. The key provision defines the specific conduct covered and establishes the felony classification, replacing any prior lesser penalties for this activity. The law takes immediate effect upon enactment.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeReclassifies fentanyl possession as felony, increasing penalties and expanding criminalization, opposing reform-focused criminal justice policies.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Drug Policy

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in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 7379: Places kratom on the schedules of controlled substances

S 7379 would classify kratom (mitragyna speciosa korth) as a Schedule I controlled substance under New York State law, making it illegal to possess, sell, or distribute without authorization. This directly affects New Yorkers who use or sell kratom, as it would become subject to the state's strictest drug control regulations. The bill amends the public health law by adding a specific definition of "kratom" to Schedule I, which lists substances with no accepted medical use and a high potential for abuse. The law would take effect 90 days after enactment, with necessary regulations to be implemented by that date.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeBill criminalizes kratom possession/sale via Schedule I classification, expanding drug-related criminalization. Directly aligns with 'expands criminalization' indicator for oppose stance.95% confidence ✗ HealthcareOpposes HealthcareBill restricts access to kratom (a substance used by some for health purposes) by classifying it as Schedule I, limiting patient access under drug control policy.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Drug Policy Public Health

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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 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 · 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 · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 5443: Relates to unlawful possession or sale of imitation drug paraphernalia

Establishes the crime of unlawful possession or sale of imitation drug paraphernalia when such person knowingly possesses, purchases, delivers, sells, or possesses with intent to sell or deliver any punch, die, plate, stone, pill press, tableting machine, encapsulating machine or any other equipment in order to print, imprint, or reproduce the trademark, trade name or other identifying mark, imprint or device of another or any likeness of any of the foregoing upon any substance or container or labeling thereof knowing, intending, or having reasonable cause to believe that it will be used to manufacture an imitation drug.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeBill creates new crime for possessing equipment to counterfeit drug labels, expanding criminalization per indicators.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Drug Policy

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in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 4092: Establishes the crime of homicide by sale of an opiate controlled substance

This bill creates a new class A-1 felony offense for unlawfully selling or transporting an opiate controlled substance (as defined by public health law) that causes another person's death. It directly affects individuals who sell or transport opiates (like heroin or fentanyl) when such actions result in fatalities. The law includes a limited defense if the defendant jointly used the substance with the deceased for mutual consumption. The offense carries the highest felony penalty under New York law, with the bill named "Laree's Law" in recognition of opioid-related deaths.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeCreates new class A-1 felony for opiate sales causing death, increasing penalties and expanding criminalization without reform elements.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Drug Policy Violent Crime

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