Criminal Justice (Domestic Violence)

in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 2723: Repeals the sunset on certain provisions related to arrests in situations involving certain family offenses

This bill repeals an expiration date (sunset) for specific arrest provisions related to family offenses under New York's domestic violence law. It directly affects domestic violence victims and law enforcement by making current arrest protocols permanent, removing the automatic end date of September 1, 2025. The key mechanism is simply removing the sunset clause from the 1994 Family Protection and Domestic Violence Intervention Act, ensuring these arrest rules remain in effect indefinitely. No new requirements or changes to arrest procedures are introduced.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeRepeals sunset on domestic violence arrest protocols, ensuring permanent victim protection and consistent law enforcement under NY's 1994 law, aligning with criminal justice reform priorities.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Domestic Violence

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in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 5222: Allows lifetime orders of protection in certain cases

This bill amends New York's criminal procedure law to allow courts to issue lifetime orders of protection in specific cases. It directly affects victims of domestic violence where the respondent is convicted of certain felonies, including those under Penal Law articles 120, 125, 130, 135, or 263, or specific sections (255.25-255.27), or attempts to commit such felonies. The key provision changes the maximum duration for protection orders in these felony cases from fixed terms (e.g., 8 years) to "the lifetime of the defendant or the victim, whichever is shorter." This applies when courts enter protection orders following sentencing for qualifying offenses, without altering existing rules for misdemeanors or other offenses.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeLifetime protection orders strengthen victim safety and prevent repeat offenses in domestic violence cases, directly advancing criminal justice reform goals.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Domestic Violence Sentencing

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in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 8054: Requires police officer training programs on interacting with individuals who are a part of a sexual orientation and/or gender minority

This bill requires all police and peace officers in New York to complete mandatory training on interacting with LGBTQ+ individuals. It mandates that training programs - developed with input from LGBTQ+ officers and community members - cover topics like terminology, historical context, creating inclusive workplaces, and responding to hate crimes or domestic violence involving LGBTQ+ people. The training must address the differences between sexual orientation and gender identity, including how these relate to race, culture, and religion. The law takes effect April 1, 2026, and requires the municipal police training council to implement necessary rule changes by then.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeMandates police training on LGBTQ+ interactions to promote inclusive practices, protect civil rights, and enhance law enforcement accountability in criminal justice.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Domestic Violence Policing

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in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 9061: Relates to creating the crime of aggravated harassment of a survivor of domestic violence or sexual assault

This bill creates a new felony offense for harassing someone specifically because the harasser believes the person is a survivor of domestic violence or sexual assault. It directly affects survivors of these crimes by adding a targeted legal protection against harassment that exploits their trauma. The key provision makes it a class E felony (punishable by up to four years in prison) to commit "aggravated harassment" with the belief or perception that the victim is a survivor. The law would take effect November 1, 2025, if passed.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeCreates new felony protection for domestic violence/sexual assault survivors against trauma-exploiting harassment, directly advancing victim protection and civil rights within criminal justice reform.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Domestic Violence Violent Crime

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in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 1753: Relates to establishing Bella's Law, which correlates animal abuse with domestic violence

S 1753, "Bella's Law," requires New York's Office of Children and Family Services to investigate potential domestic violence when someone is accused of or under investigation for animal abuse. It directly affects individuals accused of animal abuse crimes (such as cruelty, abandonment, or harming service animals) and mandates law enforcement to notify child services during such cases. The law creates a mechanism where police must coordinate with child services to determine if animal abuse is linked to domestic violence, requiring a formal investigation and documentation via domestic incident reports. This applies to all animal abuse accusations in New York starting from the law's effective date.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill mandates coordination between law enforcement and child services when animal abuse is alleged, directly linking to domestic violence investigations - a criminal justice reform measure enhancing victim protection and systemic coordination.92% confidence

Sub-Topics Domestic Violence Policing

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failed · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 5579: Relates to acts of domestic violence committed in the presence of children

Bill A 5579 establishes a new Class E felony offense for individuals who commit acts of domestic violence in the presence of a child aged 15 years or less. It defines "domestic violence crime" as intentionally committing a specified offense, such as various degrees of assault, menacing, or sexual abuse, against a member of the same family or household. The bill specifies who qualifies as a family or household member for these purposes. Any sentence imposed for this new felony would be served consecutively to the sentence for the underlying domestic violence offense.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill creates new felony for domestic violence near children, increasing penalties to protect victims and strengthen enforcement against domestic violence crimes.92% confidence

Sub-Topics Domestic Violence Violent Crime

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in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 3317: Relates to the creation of Melinda's Law in relation to the basis for removal of children

Melinda's Law protects non-abusive parents who report domestic violence from losing custody of their children. It requires courts to consider whether a parent reported abuse before removing children, treating them as "not at fault" if they reported it and are not neglectful. The law prevents abusers from threatening to have children taken away as leverage to control the non-abusive parent. It applies to cases where domestic violence - defined to include emotional, psychological, or physical abuse - has occurred, with specific court procedures to verify reports. This directly affects parents in domestic violence situations seeking to report abuse without fear of child removal.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill protects non-abusive parents reporting domestic violence from custody loss, aligning with criminal justice reform by preventing abuser leverage and safeguarding victim rights in court proceedings.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts Domestic Violence

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in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 4789: Relates to training requirements for attorneys appointed to represent a child in certain proceedings

This bill requires attorneys appointed to represent children in family court proceedings to complete specific training. It mandates 6 hours of initial training and ongoing training covering juvenile delinquency law, domestic violence dynamics, and its impact on children - particularly regarding custody, visitation, and child support. Training programs must be developed with input from the State Office for the Prevention of Domestic Violence and approved by the Office of Court Administration. The bill also encourages public defender offices to offer state-bar-approved training on juvenile delinquency for continuing legal education credit. It directly affects all attorneys representing children in these court cases.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeMandates training on juvenile delinquency law for child attorneys, improving representation in cases affecting juvenile justice reform.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts Domestic Violence Juvenile Justice

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in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 7396: Relates to the investigation of suspicious deaths and domestic violence

Requires investigation and autopsy of suspicious deaths where the deceased individual had an identifiable history of being victimized by domestic violence.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeMandates investigations/autopsies for domestic violence-linked suspicious deaths, enhancing victim protection and accountability in criminal justice system.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Domestic Violence

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in committee · New York · Assembly Mar 12, 2026

A 5606: Prohibits discrimination against any individual with an actual or perceived status as a victim of domestic violence, a sex offense, or stalking

Prohibits discrimination against any individual with an actual or perceived status as a victim of domestic violence, a sex offense, or stalking; requires training on discrimination against individuals with an actual or perceived status as a victim of domestic violence, a sex offense, or stalking.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill prohibits discrimination against crime victims, protecting civil rights within criminal justice system, aligning with reform efforts to ensure fair treatment of vulnerable populations.90% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentProhibits workplace discrimination against victims of domestic violence/stalking, directly protecting workers' rights under employment standards as defined in the topic description.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Civil Rights Domestic Violence

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