As a new legislative session begins, The Legal Aid Society calls on lawmakers in Albany to pass a comprehensive set of bills to improve the lives of its clients and all New Yorkers.

The Civil Practice focuses on legislation to keep New Yorkers in their homes. “Good Cause” would provide tenants in unregulated units basic protections against unjust evictions and excessive rent increases, and the Housing Access Voucher Program would provide homeless New Yorkers a path to permanent and affordable housing.

Additional priority legislation includes reforms to make Medicaid more accessible and equitable for all New Yorkers, increased employee benefits and protections, legislation to increase basic needs assistance, a shelter allowance increase, and an increase in personal needs and special needs assistance.

Legal Aid is calling on Albany to increase resources to help new arrivals find housing and to assist asylum seekers with temporary protective status and work authorization applications.

Read the complete list of Civil priorities here.

The Criminal Defense practice, in conjunction with the City’s other defender organizations, is asking Albany to pass critical criminal justice reforms, including the Treatment Not Jail Act, which would dramatically expand pre-trial diversion for people with mental health or substance use concerns.

The defender offices also called on Albany to cease any further dangerous rollbacks to bail laws that have contributed to an increased pre-trial detention population that disproportionately impacts Black and Latinx New Yorkers and those who cannot afford the amount of cash bail imposed on their freedom.

Funding to assist with discovery obligations and staffing needs remains a priority, as is the passage of HESC/DALF expansion to increase student loan assistance for lawyers serving the public interest.

Read the complete list of defender priorities here.

The Juvenile Rights practice is focused on a host of reforms that will benefit vulnerable children and young people. The measures include #Right2RemainSilent legislation to better protect young New Yorkers by requiring that they consult with an attorney before police interrogation, as well as the Juvenile CARE Act, which would ensure that young people are not barred from future education, housing, or employment opportunities as a result of past juvenile delinquency adjudications.

Legal Aid also called on Albany to prioritize the Preserving Family Bonds Act, passed by the Legislature in 2023 but vetoed by Governor Hochul last month, and the Youth Justice and Opportunities Act, which would provide alternative sentencing and record sealing for young adults.

Read the complete Juvenile Rights Practice priorities here.