What's happening
This bill increases penalties for stealing memorial plaques and requires permanent revocation of scrap metal processor licenses for related thefts.
Why it matters
Elevates theft of memorial-related items. such as plaques and statues valued over $100—from a minor offense to a higher-degree crime (grand larceny and criminal possession in the fourth degree), reflecting their sentimental and community significance.
Targets scrap metal processors specifically. permanently revoking the license of any processor convicted of possessing stolen memorial property, which aims to cut off a key market for stolen plaques and memorial items.
Acts as a deterrent beyond ordinary theft laws. by singling out theft from memorial sites, the bill acknowledges the unique harm and public outrage caused by these crimes, aiming to better protect spaces of remembrance and respect for the deceased.
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Who cares
Scrap metal processors
The bill would permanently revoke their licenses if they are convicted under the new fourth-degree stolen-property provision for memorial items worth more than $100.
Memorial caretakers and venue operators
The bill would establish specific theft and stolen-property provisions for plaques, statues and other items worth more than $100 kept or used for memorial observances.
Police and prosecutors
The bill would add grounds for charging theft and fourth-degree criminal possession of stolen property involving qualifying memorial items.
Headline styles
Punish Memorial Plaque Theft
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
No co-sponsors yet.
History
- Referred to codes
- Referred to codes
Full text
1 pageUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
1984
2017-2018 Regular Sessions
IN ASSEMBLY
January 17, 2017
Introduced by M. of A. LENTOL -- read once and referred to the Committee on Codes
AN ACT to amend the penal law, in relation to stolen memorial plaques; and to amend the general business law, in relation to the revocation of scrap metal processors' licenses
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assembly, do enact as follows:
Section 1. Section 155.30 of the penal law is amended by adding a new subdivision 12 to read as follows:
12. The value of the property exceeds one hundred dollars and the property consists of a memorial plaque, statue or other item or property that is kept or used in connection with memorial observance in any building, structure, park, or other venue.
§ 2. Section 165.45 of the penal law is amended by adding a new subdivision 8 to read as follows:
8. The value of the property exceeds one hundred dollars and the property consists of a memorial plaque, statue or other item or property that is kept or used in connection with memorial observance in any building, structure, park, or other venue.
§ 3. The opening paragraph of section 69-f of the general business law is designated subdivision 1 and a new subdivision 2 is added to read as follows:
2. If any person is convicted of criminal possession of stolen property in the fourth degree pursuant to subdivision eight of section 165.45 of the penal law, such person's license, which was issued pursuant to this article, shall be revoked permanently.
§ 4. This act shall take effect on the ninetieth day after it shall have become a law.
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD03406-01-7
Reflowed for reading: line numbers and page breaks removed. Cite the official text.
Summaries, headlines and scores are AI-generated from the official bill text. How we score bills. Source: NYS Open Legislation.