What's happening
This bill makes it a felony to livestream or share live video of oneself or an accomplice committing a felony or violent felony.
Why it matters
Targets Individuals Publicizing Their Own Crimes. This bill aims to criminalize the act of livestreaming or sharing live video of oneself or an accomplice actively committing a felony, addressing a recent trend where offenders publicize their illegal acts for notoriety or attention.
Creates Two Tiers of Offenses. The law distinguishes between general felonies (second degree, class E felony) and violent felonies (first degree, class D felony), making livestreaming violent crimes subject to harsher penalties and reflecting the heightened societal harm of such acts.
Broad Definition of ‘Broadcast’ and ‘Disseminate’. By defining “broadcast” and “disseminate” broadly, the bill covers not just traditional livestreams but any electronic transmission intended for viewing, ensuring that a wide range of digital sharing methods are included.
Potential Impact on Free Speech and Digital Platforms. The bill could have significant implications for social media companies and users, raising questions about enforcement, platform liability, and the balance between public safety, evidence gathering, and freedom of expression online.
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Who cares
Headline styles
Ban Live Crime Broadcasting
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
History
- Enacting clause stricken
- 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.
Ban Livestreaming Crimes
In Senate Committee · Rules · Sponsor Rich Funke
Full text
2 pagesUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
8238
2017-2018 Regular Sessions
IN ASSEMBLY
June 2, 2017
Introduced by M. of A. SEPULVEDA -- read once and referred to the Committee on Codes
AN ACT to amend the penal law, in relation to establishing the crime of unlawful broadcast of criminal activity
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assembly, do enact as follows:
Section 1. The penal law is amended by adding two new sections 245.15 and 245.20 to read as follows: § 245.15 Unlawful broadcast of criminal activity in the second degree.
1. A person is guilty of unlawful broadcast of criminal activity in the second degree when he or she, during the commission of any acts constituting any felony offense, or acting as an accomplice to such offense, or acting as an agent to the person who commits such offense, broadcasts or causes to be broadcast or disseminated live video of such acts on any media format.
2. For the purposes of this section and section 245.20 of this article:
(a) "Broadcast" means electronically transmitting a visual image with the intent that it be viewed by a person.
(b) "Disseminate" means to give, provide, lend, deliver, mail, send, forward, transfer or transmit, electronically or otherwise to another person.
Unlawful broadcast of criminal activity in the second degree is a class E felony. § 245.20 Unlawful broadcast of criminal activity in the first degree.
1. A person is guilty of unlawful broadcast of criminal activity in the first degree when he or she, during the commission of any acts constituting a violent felony offense as defined in section 70.02 of this chapter, or acting as an accomplice to such offense, or acting as an agent to the person who commits such offense, broadcasts or causes to
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD11299-01-7
A. 8238 2
be broadcast or disseminated live video of such acts on any media format.
Unlawful broadcast of criminal activity in the first degree is a class D felony.
§ 2. This act shall take effect on the sixtieth day after it shall have become a law.
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.