What's happening
This bill increases the criminal penalties for all degrees of computer tampering in New York, making each offense a more serious felony.
Why it matters
Significantly increases the legal consequences for computer tampering offenses. , meaning individuals convicted under these statutes could face substantially longer prison sentences and harsher penalties than before.
Elevates the severity of even the lowest level (fourth degree) computer tampering from a misdemeanor to a felony. , which can have long-lasting effects on a person’s criminal record, employment prospects, and eligibility for certain rights and benefits.
Signals a legislative response to the growing seriousness of cybercrime. , indicating that New York is prioritizing the protection of digital infrastructure, personal data, and business interests by treating these crimes with heightened gravity.
May act as a deterrent or, conversely, could increase the risk of over-penalizing relatively minor computer-related infractions. (such as unauthorized access without significant harm), raising questions about proportionality and justice in sentencing.
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Toughen Computer Tampering Penalties
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
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History
- Referred to codes
- Referred to codes
Companion bill
The same bill in the other chamber. A bill becomes law when one version passes both houses and the governor signs it, so either number can carry it.
Toughen Computer Crime Penalties
In Assembly Committee · Codes · Sponsor Andrew J. Lanza
Full text
1 pageUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
4452
2017-2018 Regular Sessions
IN ASSEMBLY
February 2, 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 computer tampering
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assembly, do enact as follows:
Section 1. The closing paragraph of section 156.20 of the penal law, as amended by chapter 558 of the laws of 2006, is amended to read as follows:
Computer tampering in the fourth degree is a class [A misdemeanor] E felony.
§ 2. The closing paragraph of section 156.25 of the penal law, as amended by chapter 89 of the laws of 1993, is amended to read as follows:
Computer tampering in the third degree is a class [E] D felony.
§ 3. The closing paragraph of section 156.26 of the penal law, as amended by chapter 590 of the laws of 2008, is amended to read as follows:
Computer tampering in the second degree is a class [D] C felony.
§ 4. The closing paragraph of section 156.27 of the penal law, as added by chapter 89 of the laws of 1993, is amended to read as follows:
Computer tampering in the first degree is a class [C] B felony.
§ 5. This act shall take effect on the first of November next succeeding the date on which it shall have become a law.
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD02356-01-7
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.