Criminal Justice (Victims' Rights)

in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 7296: Establishes the division of the crime victims' statewide advocate to represent crime victims' legal interests

Establishes the division of the crime victims' statewide advocate to represent crime victims' and witnesses' legal interests during discovery and trial and assist with victim compensation applications.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeCreates victim advocate division to represent victims' legal interests and assist with compensation, advancing victim rights in criminal justice proceedings.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Victims' Rights

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in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 471: Provides that crimes committed against a person on school grounds shall be deemed to be one category higher than the specified crime the person committed

Provides that crimes committed against a person on school grounds shall be deemed to be one category higher than the specified crime the person committed; enacts "Suzanne's Law".

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeElevates school-related crimes to higher categories, increasing penalties. Directly aligns with 'oppose' indicator of stricter sentencing.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Victims' Rights

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in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 846: Relates to testimonies in parole hearings

Requires that all comments and testimony made by a third party either in support or opposition in a parole hearing shall be considered when coming to a decision; adds provisions relating to confidentiality of victim statements.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeRequires all third-party testimony in parole hearings to be considered, enhancing victim confidentiality and promoting fairer corrections decisions.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Probation & Parole Victims' Rights

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in committee · New York · Senate Jan 30, 2025

S 3872: 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 JusticeProvides benefits, seals records, and pays fees for exonerees, advancing criminal justice reform by correcting wrongful convictions.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Victims' Rights

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in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 59: Requires victims be notified of right to make a victim impact statement and allows them to personally appear at parole hearings and make such a statement

Requires the district attorney to notify victims by letter of the final disposition of the case within sixty days of such disposition in cases where such final disposition includes a conviction; provides such letter shall also notify victims of their right to make a victim impact statement; allows them to personally appear at parole hearings and make such a statement.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill mandates victim notification and participation in parole hearings, enhancing victim rights within criminal justice process per reform indicators.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Probation & Parole Victims' Rights

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in committee · New York · Senate Mar 24, 2026

S 8013: Relates to claims for unjust conviction and imprisonment

Provides that in order to present the claim for unjust conviction and imprisonment, claimant must establish by documentary evidence that: they have been convicted of one or more felonies or misdemeanors against the state and subsequently sentenced to a term of imprisonment, and have served all or any part of the sentence; and they have had the one or more felonies and misdemeanors dismissed with prejudice following serving all or part of the sentence; and their claim is not time-barred.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill enables claims for unjust conviction/conviction, providing redress for wrongful imprisonment - directly supports civil rights and reform in criminal justice system.92% confidence

Sub-Topics Victims' Rights

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failed · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 6684: Permits at the discretion of the court certain members of the victim's family to read statements in court during the sentencing of a defendant

Permits at the discretion of the court certain members of the deceased victim's family to read statements in court during the sentencing of a defendant, rather than allowing only a single member of the victim's family to read a statement in court, upon consultation with counsel for the defendant and the people.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeAllows multiple victim family members to share impact statements during sentencing, enhancing victim voice in criminal justice proceedings.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts Sentencing Victims' Rights

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in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 3090: Creates a "purple alert system" for missing victims of domestic violence

This bill creates a statewide "purple alert system" to rapidly notify the public when a domestic violence victim (who has voluntarily opted in) goes missing. It requires law enforcement to report such cases to a designated state coordinator, who then activates the alert through participating media, highway message signs, and other channels. The system mandates strict privacy protections (including HIPAA compliance) and includes specific protocols for verifying cases, issuing alerts, and terminating them once the victim is found or the case resolves. The alert system directly affects participating domestic violence victims, law enforcement agencies, and media entities that volunteer to broadcast the alerts.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill creates a victim protection system for domestic violence missing persons with privacy safeguards, enhancing law enforcement response and aligning with criminal justice reform goals of victim safety and accountability.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Domestic Violence Victims' Rights

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in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 2578: Relates to the enforcement of a judgment against certain trust and annuities in the case of minor victims of sexual abuse

This bill (S 2578) changes how certain financial assets can be used to pay compensation for minor victims of specific sexual crimes. It removes an exemption that previously protected trusts, annuities, and similar accounts held for a judgment debtor (the person who owes money), making these assets subject to payment in cases where a minor was a victim of rape in the first degree, aggravated sexual abuse, or sexual conduct against a child. The key provision amends New York's Civil Practice Law to require these assets be used to satisfy judgments for physical or psychological injury caused by those offenses. This directly affects minor victims of these crimes and their ability to recover compensation from the perpetrator's assets held in certain financial accounts.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeRemoves asset exemptions to ensure compensation for minor victims of serious sexual crimes, strengthening victim protections within criminal justice.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Victims' Rights

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in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 7179: Authorizes use of closed-circuit television for the testimony of domestic violence victim witnesses in a criminal proceeding

Authorizes use of closed-circuit television for the testimony of domestic violence victim witnesses in a criminal proceeding subject to the same restrictions as are applicable to child witnesses.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeAuthorizes closed-circuit TV for domestic violence victims, protecting witness safety and facilitating testimony in criminal proceedings - aligns with victim-centered justice reforms.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Domestic Violence Victims' Rights

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