Criminal Justice

in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 2641: Includes the use of a governmental agency to harass a person within the crime of harassment in the first degree

This bill amends New York's penal law to expand the definition of "aggravated harassment in the first degree." It specifically adds two new scenarios: (1) unlawfully disclosing confidential government-held information to harass someone, and (2) directing government employees to interact with a person in an official capacity to harass them. These actions would now be treated as aggravated harassment, increasing penalties for misusing government systems to cause fear or distress. The law directly affects individuals who exploit government agencies or data to target others with harassment, making such misuse a criminal offense.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeExpands criminalization by adding government-related harassment scenarios, increasing penalties for official misuse of authority.90% confidence

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in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 4853: Relates to expanding the crime of public lewdness

Adds to the crime of public lewdness the electronic transmission of an image depicting exposed private or intimate parts without the consent of the recipient.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeExpands criminalization by adding electronic transmission of intimate images to public lewdness, aligning with 'expands criminalization' oppose indicator.90% confidence

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in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 3844: Relates to the imposition of securing orders for certain crimes committed by individuals without permanent residency status

Relates to the imposition of securing orders for offenses committed on a peace officer, police officer, firefighter, emergency medical services professional or uniformed worker by individuals without permanent residency status; provides such individuals shall be remanded to the custody of the sheriff for the entirety of the judicial proceedings related thereto.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeBill mandates custody for entire proceedings for crimes against public safety workers by non-residents, reducing defendant rights (no bail) - an 'oppose' indicator.90% confidence ✗ ImmigrationOpposes ImmigrationMandates custody for non-residents committing crimes against officers, increasing state enforcement against undocumented immigrants.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Policing Enforcement

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in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 3491: Relates to aggravated cruelty to animals in the presence of a child

Relates to aggravated cruelty to animals in the presence of a child; increases the potential term of imprisonment from two to four years when such crime is committed in the presence of a child; defines presence of a child.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeIncreases sentencing for animal cruelty involving children, aligning with stricter penalties (OPPOSE indicator: increases mandatory sentences).95% confidence

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failed · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 5839: Relates to aggravated obstructing emergency medical services

Establishes the crime of aggravated obstructing emergency medical services for conduct which obstructs the efforts of certain emergency services, personnel or systems while obstructing traffic or posing a risk of serious physical injury; permits forfeiture.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeBill establishes new criminal offense for obstructing emergency services, expanding criminalization without reform elements or accountability measures.85% confidence

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in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 7921: Relates to the crime of computer tampering in the third degree

Adds that a person is guilty of computer tampering in the third degree when they intentionally enter or alter in any manner or destroy computer material indicating that a person did or did not receive a vaccination that is reported to the New York state immunization information system or the New York city immunization registry.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeExpands criminalization by creating new offense for tampering with vaccination data in immunization systems95% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyBill criminalizes tampering with vaccination records in immunization systems, enhancing cybersecurity for health data integrity by protecting critical information systems from unauthorized alteration.95% confidence

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in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 7049: Establishes "Jeremiah's Law"

This bill creates a new class E felony offense for falsely reporting that a child under 13 was involved in an incident. It specifically applies when someone falsely files a report under a defined third-degree incident category (section 240.50) concerning a minor. The law directly affects individuals who make such false reports, imposing felony penalties instead of lesser offenses. The key provision defines the specific scenario (false report about a child under 13) and elevates the penalty to a felony. The law takes effect November 1 following its enactment.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeBill elevates false child incident reporting to felony level, expanding criminalization and increasing penalties. This aligns with OPPOSE indicators of expanding criminalization.95% confidence

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in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 6275: Authorizes the investigation of insurance fraud and fines related to the commission of such crime and combatting motor vehicle theft

Authorizes the investigation of fraudulent activities with regard to individuals operating motor vehicles without insurance; increases the civil penalty for forging insurance documents; creates the crime of offering a false application for motor vehicle insurance or registration.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeCreates new crime for false insurance applications and increases penalties, expanding criminalization of non-violent offenses per indicators.90% confidence

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failed · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 5584: Relates to national instant criminal background checks and ammunition; repealer

Removes ammunition and ammunition sales from the requirements of background checks; repeals certain provisions of law relating thereto; repeals the background check fund.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeRemoves ammunition background checks and defunds background check system, weakening a key criminal justice safety measure.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Firearms

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in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 4941: Relates to possession and sale of armor piercing ammunition; repealer

This bill makes possessing or selling armor-piercing ammunition a class B felony in New York, directly affecting individuals who handle this type of ammunition. It adds specific provisions to the penal law stating that possessing armor-piercing ammunition, or unlawfully selling, exchanging, or disposing of it, constitutes a serious criminal offense. The bill repeals an existing subdivision and amends two sections of the penal law to include these new felony classifications. These changes raise penalties for these activities from lesser offenses to a class B felony, the second-highest criminal classification in New York.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeBill classifies armor-piercing ammunition possession as felony, expanding criminalization and increasing penalties, directly opposing reform-focused criminal justice policies.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Drug Policy Firearms

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