Criminal Justice

in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 3089: Relates to courthouse facility dogs for witnesses

Authorizes courts to exercise discretion permitting a courthouse facility dog for use by witnesses to be used in any judicial proceeding; provides that courts with an available courthouse facility dog must allow a witness under eighteen years of age, or who has a developmental disability, to use a courthouse facility dog to accompany such person while testifying in court; allows any witness who does not meet the criteria of being under eighteen years of age or having a developmental disability to use a courthouse facility dog, if available, to accompany them while testifying in court; defines terms; makes related provisions.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeAuthorizes courthouse facility dogs for vulnerable witnesses (minors/disabled), reducing trauma during testimony - enhances court accessibility in criminal justice proceedings.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts

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in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 2005: Enacts the sex trade survivors justice and equality act; repealer

Relates to certain prostitution offenses and fines relating thereto; relates to motions to vacate judgment and motions for new sentencing; relates to investigation into acts alleged to be the unauthorized practice of massage therapy by potential victims of human trafficking; prohibits the possession of reproductive or sexual health devices from being permitted in specified criminal or civil proceedings as evidence of prostitution; relates to services for exploited individuals, services for victims of human trafficking and the interagency task force on human trafficking; establishes the victims of sexual exploitation fund; makes conforming changes; repeals provisions relating to prostitution, prostitution in a school zone, defense against patronizing a person for prostitution and a motion to dismiss information, simplified information, prosecutor's information or misdemeanor complaint.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill reforms prostitution offense handling, vacates judgments for survivors, prohibits evidence misuse - aligns with victim protection and criminal justice reform85% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareProhibits possession of reproductive health devices as evidence in prostitution cases, protecting access to reproductive healthcare services and preventing legal barriers to care.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Drug Policy Human Trafficking Sentencing

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in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 104: 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 in sex offense cases, protecting victim rights and preventing retraumatization during trials.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Human Trafficking

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in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 6062: Relates to jurisdiction over police discipline

Relates to jurisdiction over police discipline; provides that the civilian complaint review board and the police commissioner shall have concurrent jurisdiction over the discipline of the New York city police department and of the police force of the department.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeGives civilian complaint review board concurrent jurisdiction over police discipline, enhancing accountability in law enforcement oversight.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Policing

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in committee · New York · Senate Jan 8, 2025

S 1034: Relates to the establishment of a single computerized state DNA identification index and requires municipalities to expunge any DNA record stored in a municipal DNA identification index

Relates to the establishment of a single computerized state DNA identification index; requires municipalities to expunge any DNA record stored in a municipal DNA identification index.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeExpunges erroneous DNA records, reducing wrongful convictions and protecting civil rights in criminal justice systems.85% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyBill mandates expunging DNA records from municipal databases, enhancing data privacy protections in state DNA indexing systems.85% confidence

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failed · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 3299: Includes exposing a first responder or correction officer to fentanyl, a fentanyl derivative or an opiate containing fentanyl or fentanyl derivative in the definition of the offense of assault in the first degree

Includes exposing a first responder or correction officer to fentanyl, a fentanyl derivative or an opiate containing fentanyl or a fentanyl derivative in the definition of the offense of assault in the first degree.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeExpands assault definition to protect first responders/correction officers from fentanyl exposure, strengthening legal safeguards for law enforcement personnel within criminal justice framework.92% confidence

Sub-Topics Violent Crime

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in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 3634: Relates to the availability of certain benefits to exonerees; repealer

Relates to claims for unjust conviction and imprisonment and the availability of certain benefits and entitlements to exonerees; allows for sealing of records, payment of awards and payment of attorney's fees; repeals certain provisions relating thereto.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill provides benefits, record sealing, and attorney fees for exonerees, correcting wrongful convictions and supporting post-conviction justice reform.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Victims' Rights

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in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 4814: Relates to grants to cover the costs of school resource officers and authorizes boards of cooperative educational services to enter into contracts with local police entities to provide school resource officers

Relates to the provision of grants to eligible school districts to cover the costs of school resource officers employed at schools in such districts; authorizes boards of cooperative educational services to enter into contracts with local police entities to provide school resource officers.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeFunds school resource officers (law enforcement in schools), directly supporting law enforcement presence within the criminal justice system.90% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationProvides grants for school resource officer costs, directly funding school safety programs within K-12 education95% confidence

Sub-Topics Policing School Safety

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in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 1208: Establishes a New York state prison labor board; repealer

Establishes a New York state prison labor board to ensure that all labor programs comply with the requirements of the labor law and are for the purpose of promoting successful rehabilitation, reentry and reintegration into the community and not for the purpose of earnings or cost-savings which inure to the benefit the state or any private individual or corporation; prohibits the department of corrections and community supervision from unfairly attaching, garnishing or disbursing the funds of incarcerated individuals where such individuals have not requested disbursement; requires that all interest accumulated on incarcerated individuals' funds be credited to such individual's accounts; eliminates the preferred status of the department of corrections and community supervision regarding commodities and services furnished by the correctional industries program; repeals certain provisions of the state finance law relating to such preferred status.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeEstablishes prison labor board to prioritize rehabilitation over profit, prohibiting cost-saving exploitation, aligning with criminal justice reform goals.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Probation & Parole

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in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 1284: Enacts the "Wandering Officers Act"

Enacts the "Wandering Officers Act" prohibiting provisional or permanent appointment of a person as a police officer if such person has previously been fired as a police officer from any jurisdiction within or without the state, if such person left a position as a police officer either while under an investigation or while being the subject of a disciplinary action which could result in termination from any jurisdiction within or without the state, or if such person resigned while criminal charges were pending stemming from actions committed while on duty as a police officer in any jurisdiction within or without the state.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill prohibits hiring police officers with prior disciplinary issues or termination, enhancing accountability standards in law enforcement - a key criminal justice reform indicator.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Policing

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