Bill > A00632

This bill amends the New York Criminal Procedure Law to expand the circumstances under which a defendant can be held on bail, specifically by adding a new provision that allows bail to be set for misdemeanor and felony offenses involving the possession, display, or discharge of firearms, rifles, shotguns, machine-guns, or disguised guns. The bill modifies three sections of the criminal procedure law (sections 510.10, 530.20, and 530.40) to include these firearm-related offenses as qualifying conditions for bail eligibility. Previously, bail could be set for certain felonies, class A misdemeanors, and specific weapon-related charges, but this bill broadens those categories to include a wider range of firearm-related offenses. The changes also update gender-specific language to use the gender-neutral term "their" instead of "his or her" and provide prosecutors the opportunity to show reasonable cause for setting bail in these cases. The bill aims to give courts more discretion in setting bail for defendants charged with firearm-related offenses, potentially increasing public safety by allowing detention of individuals deemed to pose a risk due to weapons charges.

Housing and Urban Affairs

https://www.nysenate.gov/legislation/bills/2025/A632