Criminal Justice (Juvenile Justice)

in committee · New York · Senate Apr 30, 2026

S 10108: Authorizes the correctional association to inspect residential juvenile detention facilities

This bill authorizes the Correctional Association of New York to inspect residential juvenile detention facilities operated by the Office of Children and Family Services. It grants the association the power to conduct both scheduled and unannounced visits to review facility conditions, records, and staff, while also allowing confidential contact with youth residents. Additionally, the bill establishes a confidential toll-free hotline for youths to report abuse and expands the legal authority of Prisoners' Legal Services of New York to represent these youths, review their records, and investigate complaints. The legislation requires the Correctional Association to submit annual public reports on the state of these facilities and mandates that the Office of Children and Family Services respond in writing to any findings or recommendations. These provisions specifically apply to secure, limited secure, and non-secure facilities but exclude children placed in foster care or directly with relatives.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill strengthens oversight of juvenile detention facilities, protects youth rights, and enhances accountability in the corrections system.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Juvenile Justice

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in committee · New York · Senate Apr 9, 2026

S 9871: Prohibits removal of adolescent offenders to family court in certain circumstances

This bill prevents juvenile offenders from being transferred to adult criminal court if they possessed a loaded firearm while committing a crime, keeping them in the family court system instead. It specifically adds a new condition where the mere possession of a loaded gun during the offense is enough to stop the transfer, regardless of whether the gun was used to threaten anyone or cause injury. The law applies to cases where the prosecutor cannot prove that the defendant caused significant physical injury, displayed a weapon to further the crime, or committed specific sexual offenses. By making this change, the bill ensures that juveniles with loaded firearms but without other aggravating factors remain under the jurisdiction of family courts rather than facing adult prosecution.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeBill restricts transfer to adult court for juveniles possessing loaded firearms, limiting prosecutorial discretion and reducing access to adult justice mechanisms.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts Firearms Juvenile Justice

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in committee · New York · Senate Apr 2, 2026

S 9715: Relates to the age of persons eligible for a sentence of life imprisonment without parole

This bill clarifies that only individuals who were eighteen years of age or older at the time of committing a crime can be sentenced to life imprisonment without the possibility of parole. It directly affects the sentencing guidelines for serious offenses such as murder, terrorism, and the use of chemical or biological weapons by explicitly excluding minors from this specific punishment. The legislation ensures that defendants under the age of eighteen remain eligible for indeterminate sentences with a maximum term of life imprisonment, while those aged eighteen and above face the stricter penalty for the listed crimes. This change codifies the age restriction into the penal law and takes effect immediately upon passage.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill restricts life without parole for minors, aligning with criminal justice reform and protecting youth rights.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Juvenile Justice Probation & Parole Sentencing

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passed · New York · Senate Jun 2, 2026

S 9824: Allows certain minor defendants to utilize electronic appearances

This bill allows minors under 18 to participate in certain court arraignments via electronic appearance instead of appearing in person. It permits this under specific conditions, such as when the minor is hospitalized, facing extreme weather, requesting the option with a guarantee of non-monetary release, or when no Youth Part judge is available. For electronic appearances involving minors, the court must determine that the virtual format serves the child's best interests and that physical attendance would unnecessarily disrupt important activities like school or medical treatment. The law also requires that all parties, including the prosecutor and the minor's legal advisor, consent to the electronic process on the record.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill supports criminal justice reform by allowing minors to appear electronically, reducing barriers to court access and prioritizing the child's best interests.85% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyBill promotes digital equity by expanding access to electronic court appearances for minors, ensuring technology facilitates justice rather than hindering it.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts Judges Juvenile Justice

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in committee · New York · Senate Mar 10, 2026

S 9410: Relates to the resentencing of certain juvenile and adolescent offenders

Relates to the resentencing of certain juvenile and adolescent offenders who were convicted prior to October 1, 2018 for offenses not including, rape, sexual assault, murder in the first degree or aggravated murder.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill allows resentencing for juvenile offenders, promoting criminal justice reform and rehabilitation by reducing harsh sentences for non-violent crimes.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Juvenile Justice Violent Crime

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in committee · New York · Assembly Mar 20, 2026

A 10674: Requires probation, investigation and diagnostic assessment of certain juvenile delinquents with discernible handicapping conditions prior to dispositional hearings

Provides that prior to a dispositional hearing the judge shall order a probation investigation and a diagnostic assessment of a juvenile delinquent whom the court reasonably finds, on the record, to have a demonstrable need for a remediation of a discernible handicapping condition; allows judges to refer custody through various state agencies for placement into programs under protocol and funding provisions currently in existence.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill mandates diagnostic assessments and rehabilitation programs for juvenile delinquents with handicapping conditions, promoting restorative justice and reducing recidivism through proper intervention.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts Judges Juvenile Justice

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in committee · New York · Senate Feb 13, 2026

S 9210: Prohibits requiring certain municipalities to contribute local shares of eligible expenditures in order to receive funding associated with raising the age of juvenile jurisdiction above fifteen years of age

Prohibits requiring counties or the city of New York to contribute local shares of eligible expenditures in order to receive funding associated with raising the age of juvenile jurisdiction above fifteen years of age.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeProhibits local funding barriers for juvenile jurisdiction reform, enabling access to funds for raising age of juvenile jurisdiction, aligning with criminal justice reform goals.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Juvenile Justice

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in committee · New York · Senate Feb 9, 2026

S 9164: Prohibits the detainment of minors with adult detainees

This bill prohibits New York City from holding minors under 18 in facilities designed for adults. It specifically bans placing youth under 18 in secure juvenile detention centers used for individuals aged 18 or older. The law creates a new category of "older youth detention facility" for 18- to 21-year-olds, ensuring this age group is held separately from younger minors. It directly affects NYC's juvenile justice system by requiring separation of minors under 18 from adult detention settings. The policy change takes effect January 1, 2027.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticePrevents minors under 18 from being held with adults, aligning with juvenile justice reform best practices to protect youth and improve rehabilitation.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Juvenile Justice

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in committee · New York · Assembly Feb 12, 2026

A 10264: Establishes the youth justice innovation fund

Establishes the youth justice innovation fund to make funds available to community-based organizations for services and programs with the purpose of youth development and preventing youth arrest and incarceration.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill establishes a state fund to allocate budget resources for youth development programs, directly advancing fiscal support for community services under appropriations.95% confidence ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticePrevents youth arrest/incarceration via community funding, aligning with reform goals to reduce system involvement90% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Juvenile Justice

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in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 15, 2026

A 9316: Relates to the removal of adolescent offenders to family court; and relates to jurisdiction of family court

Limits the circumstances under which the case of an adolescent offender may be removed to family court; limits the jurisdiction of family court with respect to certain repeat adolescent offenders.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeLimits family court jurisdiction for repeat adolescent offenders, restricting rehabilitative pathways and shifting toward punitive handling rather than reform-focused approaches.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts Juvenile Justice

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