Criminal Justice

in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 7081: Authorizes the state inspector general to receive and investigate complaints of sexual assault in correctional facilities

Authorizes the state inspector general to receive and investigate complaints of sexual assault in correctional facilities and other places operated by the department of corrections and community supervision for the confinement of persons; requires the state inspector general to establish protocol and procedures for such reports and investigations.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeAuthorizes inspector general to investigate sexual assault in prisons, enhancing oversight and protecting inmate rights in correctional facilities.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Probation & Parole Violent Crime

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in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 337: Allows municipal commissions to use alternate lists for filling vacancies with resident and non-resident minority group members and women in order to achieve diversity in police departments

Allows municipal commissions to use alternate lists for filling vacancies with resident and non-resident minority group members and women in order to achieve diversity in police departments.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill promotes police department diversity via alternate hiring lists, aligning with criminal justice reform goals of equity and accountability in law enforcement staffing.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Policing

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in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 4785: Relates to the provision of criminal history background checks free of charge to mentoring programs operated by not-for-profit corporations

This bill waives the $25 processing fee for criminal history background checks required by mentoring programs operated by not-for-profit corporations. It requires these programs to collect fingerprints but eliminates the standard fee they would otherwise pay to the state. The exemption applies specifically to formal mentoring programs matching youth with adult volunteers for developmental support, as defined in the law. This directly affects qualifying not-for-profit mentoring organizations seeking background checks for volunteers or staff.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeWaives background check fees for youth mentoring programs, supporting prevention-focused criminal justice reform by reducing barriers to volunteer participation in developmental support.85% confidence

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in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 6382: Relates to the use in evidence of the fact of possession or presence on the premises of condoms and other sexual and reproductive health devices

This bill prohibits law enforcement from using the possession of condoms or other reproductive health devices (like PrEP, lubricants, or emergency contraception) as evidence in court cases involving prostitution, sex trafficking, or related offenses. It directly affects individuals in sex trade or trafficking situations, particularly survivors of trafficking who face disproportionate targeting when condoms are seized as evidence. Key provisions amend laws to block such evidence in trials, hearings, and arrests, while requiring police training on these rules. The law aims to protect public health and reduce discriminatory impacts on vulnerable communities.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill prohibits using condom possession as evidence in trafficking/prostitution cases, protecting survivors from unjust prosecution and advancing criminal justice reform by reducing harmful evidence practices.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts Drug Policy Human Trafficking

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in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 3980: Provides for evidence that proves or tends to prove that a victim has been convicted of a prostitution offense shall not be admissible

Removes from admissibility evidence that proves or tends to prove that a victim has been convicted of a prostitution offense within three years prior to the sex offense which is the subject of the prosecution.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeRemoves admissible evidence of victim's past prostitution conviction to protect victims' rights and ensure fair trials in sex offense cases, aligning with criminal justice reform indicators.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Human Trafficking

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in committee · New York · Assembly May 27, 2026

A 7905: Relates to the composition of the interagency task force on human trafficking

Bill A 7905 amends New York's interagency task force on human trafficking to expand its membership and clarify reporting requirements. It adds 19 new members, including two each recommended by legislative leaders, two by a trafficking service nonprofit, one survivor of trafficking, and one by the state bar association, while keeping existing agency commissioners. The task force must submit annual reports to the governor and legislative leaders by March 1st, starting in 2026, and hold at least three public meetings yearly. This directly affects state agencies coordinating anti-trafficking efforts and ensures broader stakeholder input in their work.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeExpands task force with survivor input and reporting requirements, enhancing victim-centered trafficking response within criminal justice framework95% confidence

Sub-Topics Human Trafficking

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in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 4971: Relates to breath chemical tests for the purpose of determining the alcoholic and/or drug content of the blood

Requires a police officer to provide the consequences of refusal to submit to a chemical test for the purpose of determining the alcoholic and/or drug content of the blood, both orally and in writing in such person's preferred language, and by an interpreter if necessary.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeRequires informing individuals of test refusal consequences in preferred language, protecting due process rights during law enforcement interactions.70% confidence

Sub-Topics Policing

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in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 1661: Relates to officer-involved deaths and near deaths

S 1661 creates a 10-member board to review deaths and near-deaths resulting from encounters with police officers in New York. The board, appointed by the governor with specific expertise (including former law enforcement, legal professionals, and medical experts), will examine investigations conducted by the state police's Bureau of Investigation. After review, the board must provide written recommendations to district attorneys, the governor, and other officials on whether further action - like a grand jury - is needed. The bill also requires the Bureau of Investigation to issue regular updates and public final reports on each case, with limited redactions for privacy.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeCreates 10-member board to review officer-involved deaths/near-deaths, enhancing police accountability through independent review and recommendations to prosecutors.92% confidence

Sub-Topics Policing

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in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 1682: Requires that certain New York state police vehicles be equipped with a dashboard camera

This bill requires all New York State Police vehicles used for roadway patrols, crime prevention/investigation, or emergency response to be equipped with dashboard cameras. It directly affects the New York State Police department by mandating this equipment on specified operational vehicles. The law specifies that every such vehicle must have a dashboard camera installed, effective January 1st after enactment. Implementation rules must be finalized before the effective date to ensure compliance.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeMandates dashboard cameras on police vehicles to enhance accountability and transparency in law enforcement interactions, aligning with criminal justice reform indicators.95% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationMandates dashboard cameras on patrol vehicles for roadway safety, enhancing transparency during traffic operations and aligning with transportation safety standards.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Policing Roads & Highways

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in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 5265: Relates to consent

This bill clarifies the legal definition of consent for sexual contact under New York law. It states consent must be a knowing, voluntary, and mutual decision among all participants, which can be expressed through words or clear actions showing ongoing permission. The bill specifies that consent is absent when there's physical force, threats, incapacitation, verbal withdrawal, or when a reasonable person would understand a lack of agreement. It directly affects how sexual assault cases are legally evaluated in New York courts, particularly for offenses like rape and sexual abuse. The changes take effect 30 days after becoming law.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeClarifies consent definition for sexual assault cases, enhancing legal standards and victim protection in criminal justice.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Violent Crime

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