Criminal Justice (Drug Policy)

in committee · New York · Assembly Jul 29, 2026

A 11642: Prohibits unlawful seizure of ballots

This bill creates a new crime for taking possession of ballots that eligible voters have already marked and submitted through legal means. It specifically makes it a class E felony for anyone to seize, confiscate, remove, or otherwise take control of these valid ballots. The law includes exceptions for election officials working with proper approval and law enforcement officers acting under a valid court order. By defining these actions as a felony, the legislation aims to protect the integrity of the voting process from unauthorized interference.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill creates a felony to protect ballot integrity and prevent unlawful seizure by unauthorized persons, enhancing election security and justice.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts Drug Policy Law Enforcement Tags Elections

Track

passed both · New York · Assembly Jun 2, 2026

A 11388: Provides additional protection to judges and their family members under the Judicial Security Act

Provides additional protection to judges and their family members under the Judicial Security Act; expands protection to domestic partners and adult children; relates to records to be kept private; relates to the continuation of the prohibition against the public disclosure of personal information; authorizes the chief administrator of the courts to develop procedures necessary to prevent the disclosure of personal information in the possession of the unified court system.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill strengthens judicial security by expanding protections for judges and families, enhancing the safety of the justice system infrastructure.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts Drug Policy

Track

in committee · New York · Senate May 5, 2026

S 9798: Prohibits using possession of reproductive or sexual health devices as evidence in a trial, hearing or proceeding in certain circumstances

Provides that possession of a condom or other reproductive or sexual health device may not be received in evidence in any trial, hearing or proceeding as evidence of conduct which would constitute an offense defined in article 230 of the penal law.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill protects civil rights by limiting the use of reproductive health devices as evidence, reducing unnecessary criminalization and enhancing defendant rights.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Drug Policy

Track

in committee · New York · Senate Mar 12, 2026

S 9439: Provides for enhanced penalties for larceny and criminal possession of stolen property against elderly persons

This bill increases penalties for theft and possession of stolen property when the victim is 60 years of age or older. It applies to offenders who knew the victim's age before or during the crime and have a prior conviction for similar offenses against elderly people. Under this law, misdemeanor theft cases become class E felonies, and felony cases move up one severity category. The changes affect prosecutors, courts, and individuals charged with these specific crimes against older adults.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill strengthens penalties for crimes against elderly victims, enhancing protection and deterrence within criminal justice system.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Drug Policy Tags Seniors

Track

in committee · New York · Assembly Mar 6, 2026

A 10426: Relates to employment at certain licensees for the purposes of parole conditions

Clarifies that employment at any licensee under the cannabis law satisfies employment requirements for parole, probation or other state supervision unless the terms and conditions of said parole, probation, or state supervision explicitly prohibit such employment.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill clarifies employment eligibility for parole, promoting rehabilitation and reducing barriers to reentry, which supports criminal justice reform goals.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Drug Policy Probation & Parole

Track

passed both · New York · Assembly Jun 2, 2026

A 10698: Prohibits cannabis inversion

Enacts the "cannabis supply chain integrity and anti-inversion act"; prohibits any act or omission involving illicit cannabis; provides penalties for such cannabis inversion.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill strengthens criminal justice by prohibiting illicit cannabis activities, establishing penalties, and protecting whistleblowers who report violations, enhancing law enforcement oversight.85% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentBill includes whistleblower protection for employees reporting cannabis violations, directly supporting worker rights and protections in the workplace.75% confidence

Sub-Topics Drug Policy

Track

passed · New York · Senate Jun 3, 2026

S 8637: Relates to purposes of the drug treatment and public education fund

Expands the purposes of the drug treatment and public education fund to include prevention and recovery programs; requires reporting to be made available on the office of addiction services and supports' website.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesExpands fund purposes to include prevention/recovery programs, directing existing budget toward public health services.90% confidence ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeExpands drug treatment fund to include prevention/recovery programs, directly supporting criminal justice reform through rehabilitation and recidivism reduction.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareExpands drug treatment fund to include prevention/recovery programs, strengthening public health services under healthcare topic.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Drug Policy Substance Abuse

Track

in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 8, 2026

A 1647: Relates to decriminalizing the possession of buprenorphine

This bill removes criminal penalties for possessing buprenorphine (a medication used to treat opioid addiction) when used for medical purposes under specific circumstances. It directly affects individuals who currently face criminal charges for possessing this medication, particularly those using it in addiction treatment. The key change amends Public Health Law to clarify that possession for medical use by a practitioner or patient is no longer classified as a crime. The law remains focused on medical use during treatment for addiction, without creating new programs or funding.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill removes criminal penalties for medical buprenorphine use in opioid treatment, reducing unnecessary criminalization and promoting rehabilitation over punishment in criminal justice reform.90% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareDecriminalizes buprenorphine possession for substance use disorder treatment, improving access to medication-assisted therapy for addiction, a healthcare service.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Drug Policy Public Health Substance Abuse

Track

in committee · New York · Senate Jun 2, 2026

S 8951: Prohibits cannabis inversion

Enacts the "cannabis supply chain integrity and anti-inversion act"; prohibits any act or omission involving illicit cannabis; provides penalties for such cannabis inversion.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill imposes penalties for illicit cannabis activities, strengthening law enforcement authority in criminal justice enforcement.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Drug Policy

Track

in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 2331: Relates to decriminalizing the possession of buprenorphine

S 2331 removes buprenorphine from the legal definitions of "controlled substance" and "narcotic preparation" under New York's penal law. This change means possessing buprenorphine (a medication used to treat opioid use disorder) will no longer be treated as a criminal offense under these specific provisions. The bill amends two sections of the penal law to exclude buprenorphine from lists that previously carried criminal penalties for possession. It will take effect on November 1, 2025.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeRemoves criminal penalties for buprenorphine possession, reducing unnecessary incarceration and aligning with drug policy reform to prioritize treatment over punishment.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareDecriminalizes buprenorphine for opioid treatment, removing criminal penalties and improving access to medication-assisted therapy for addiction.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Drug Policy Substance Abuse

Track