Criminal Justice

in committee · New York · Assembly May 18, 2026

A 8943: Prohibits state and federal law enforcement acting within New York from covering their faces or otherwise concealing their identity, except in certain circumstances

Prohibits state and federal law enforcement operating within New York from covering their faces or otherwise concealing their identity, except in limited circumstances.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeProhibits face concealment by officers, enhancing accountability and transparency in law enforcement, aligning with reform indicators.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Law Enforcement

Track

passed · New York · Senate May 14, 2026

S 8371: Relates to the release of student education records to juvenile detention facilities

Relates to the release of student education records to juvenile detention facilities; provides that where a student has been directed to be held in a juvenile detention facility pursuant to a court order, the educational agency where such student attends school at the time of such direction shall, upon request of the juvenile detention facility where such student is held, disclose such educational records to educational program personnel at such facility without consent of the parent or eligible student under certain circumstances.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeEnables educational records access for juvenile detention facilities, supporting rehabilitation programs within corrections.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts Juvenile Justice

Track

in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 193: Provides for money upon release for certain incarcerated individuals; appropriation

This bill establishes a "Gate Money Program" providing eligible individuals released from New York State correctional facilities with monthly cash payments. Specifically, those who served at least six months in state prison and haven't received prior payments get $425 per month for up to six months (capped at $2,550 total), adjusted annually for inflation. Payments are made immediately upon release (cash/check) and then monthly by community supervision agencies, with funds not counting toward public assistance eligibility. The program is funded by a $25 million appropriation into a dedicated "gate money fund" and excludes individuals released to other states or federal custody.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill appropriates state funds ($2,550 max per individual) for post-incarceration support, directly funding a social program through budget allocation.95% confidence ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeProvides post-release financial support to reduce recidivism and aid rehabilitation, aligning with criminal justice reform goals.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Probation & Parole

Track

in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 1403: Enacts "Cariol's Law"

Enacts "Cariol's Law"; provides for a duty to intervene when a police officer or peace officer observes another police officer or peace officer using physical force that such officer reasonably believes to be clearly excessive or beyond that which is objectively reasonable under the circumstances.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeMandates officer intervention in excessive force cases, enhancing police accountability per criminal justice reform indicators.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Policing

Track

in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 5249: Prohibits members of the state police, police officers, and peace officers from intentionally covering their badges

This bill requires state police, police officers, and peace officers to visibly display their badges while on duty, prohibiting intentional covering that obscures identification. It imposes a $500 fine per violation for state police (enforced by the State Police division) and for other officers (enforced by the Division of Criminal Justice Services). Citizens can report violations via a public hotline, which officers must post on their agency's website. The law takes effect immediately upon passage.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeRequires visible badge display for police accountability, enabling public reporting of violations. Aligns with enhancing law enforcement transparency and oversight.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Policing

Track

in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 1604: Provides for immediate notification to a complainant of the service of an ex parte order of protection

This bill requires courts to immediately notify complainants when an ex parte order of protection is served on the person against whom the complaint was filed. Complainants must specify their preferred notification method (mail, phone, email, or other electronic means) to the court clerk, and courts must inform them of this option. Once police or court staff serve the order, they must immediately inform the court clerk, who then notifies the complainant in their chosen manner without delay. The law directly affects individuals seeking protection orders in domestic violence or similar cases, ensuring they receive timely updates about the service of the order.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill ensures complainants receive immediate notification of protection orders, enhancing victim rights and procedural transparency in criminal justice proceedings.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Domestic Violence Policing Victims' Rights

Track

in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 2712: Enacts the "child sex crime victims protection act"

Enacts the "child sex crime victims protection act"; establishes alternative sentencing procedures for victims of child sex crimes who commit crimes against their abusers.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeEstablishes alternative sentencing for child sex crime victims who commit crimes against abusers, reducing punitive measures for trauma survivors and aligning with reform-focused sentencing approaches.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Sentencing Victims' Rights

Track

in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 689: Reduces the classification of aggravated unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle in the third degree from a misdemeanor to a violation and adjusts the sentencing guidelines for such offense

Reduces the classification of aggravated unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle in the third degree from a misdemeanor to a violation; adjusts the sentencing guidelines for such offense by decreasing the term of imprisonment that may be imposed by the court for such offense.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeDowngrades misdemeanor to violation, reducing incarceration for minor traffic offense aligns with criminal justice reform goals of reducing unnecessary penalties.95% confidence ✗ TransportationOpposes TransportationDowngrades unlicensed driving offense from misdemeanor to violation, reducing penalties and weakening safety enforcement standards.80% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts Sentencing Driver Licensing

Track

died · New York · Assembly Jan 12, 2026

A 2620: Relates to procedures required for the custodial interrogation of children

Amends procedures required for the custodial interrogation of children to provide additional protections and for taking juveniles and sixteen and seventeen year olds into custody.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeAdds protections for minors during custodial interrogation, aligning with civil rights protections in criminal justice procedures95% confidence

Sub-Topics Juvenile Justice

Track

in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 3976: Relates to removing the fee for a sex offender to make a change to such sex offender's registration with the division of criminal justice services

Relates to removing the fee for a sex offender to make a change to such sex offender's registration with the division of criminal justice services including fees for changing their address, or any change to their status of enrollment, attendance, employment or residence at any institution of higher education.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeRemoves registration fee barriers for sex offenders, promoting compliance and reducing recidivism risk through easier updates to address/status.85% confidence

Track