What's happening
This bill increases penalties for leaving the scene of a motor vehicle accident resulting in injury or death in New York.
Why it matters
Expands circumstances for more severe charges. By adding “leaving the scene of the accident” as an aggravating factor, the bill means drivers involved in serious accidents who flee will face harsher penalties, even if they weren’t intoxicated or otherwise at fault for the crash.
Closes a legal loophole. Previously, some drivers could avoid the most severe charges by leaving the scene, making it harder for law enforcement to prove intoxication or other offenses. This bill addresses that gap, incentivizing drivers to remain at the scene and comply with the law.
Strengthens justice for victims. The bill acknowledges the additional harm and trauma caused to victims and their families when offenders flee, aiming to ensure greater accountability and deterrence for hit-and-run incidents involving injury or death.
Signals legislative intent to prioritize public safety. By aligning the law with public concerns over hit-and-run accidents, the bill reflects a broader commitment to discouraging reckless and irresponsible behavior on New York roads.
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Who cares
Headline styles
Tougher Penalties for Hit-and-Runs
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
No co-sponsors yet.
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.
Includes leaving the scene of an accident within the crimes of aggravated vehicular manslaughter and aggravated vehicular assault when physical injury or death occurs to a person or persons
In Senate Committee · Codes · Sponsor Patrick M. Gallivan
Full text
2 pagesUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
4056
2019-2020 Regular Sessions
IN ASSEMBLY
January 31, 2019
Introduced by M. of A. WEPRIN -- read once and referred to the Committee on Codes
AN ACT to amend the penal law, in relation to leaving the scene of a motor vehicle accident that resulted in physical injury or death of a person or persons
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assembly, do enact as follows:
Section 1. Subdivisions 6 and 7 of section 125.14 of the penal law, subdivision 6 as amended and subdivision 7 as added by chapter 496 of the laws of 2009, are amended and a new subdivision 8 is added to read as follows:
(6) has previously been convicted of violating any provision of this article or article one hundred twenty of this title involving the operation of a motor vehicle, or was convicted in any other state or jurisdiction of an offense involving the operation of a motor vehicle which, if committed in this state, would constitute a violation of this article or article one hundred twenty of this title; [or]
(7) commits such crime while operating a motor vehicle while a child who is fifteen years of age or less is a passenger in such motor vehicle and causes the death of such child[.]; or
(8) commits such crime and then leaves the scene of the accident in the manner defined in subdivision two of section six hundred of the vehicle and traffic law.
§ 2. Subdivisions 5 and 6 of section 120.04-a of the penal law, subdivision 5 as amended and subdivision 6 as added by chapter 496 of the laws of 2009, are amended and a new subdivision 7 is added to read as follows:
(5) has previously been convicted of violating any provision of this article or article one hundred twenty-five of this title involving the operation of a motor vehicle, or was convicted in any other state or jurisdiction of an offense involving the operation of a motor vehicle
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD02968-01-9
A. 4056 2
which, if committed in this state, would constitute a violation of this article or article one hundred twenty-five of this title; [or]
(6) commits such crime while operating a motor vehicle while a child who is fifteen years of age or less is a passenger in such motor vehicle and causes serious physical injury to such child[.]; or
(7) commits such crime and then leaves the scene of the accident in the manner defined in subdivision two of section six hundred of the vehicle and traffic law.
§ 3. This act shall take effect on the one hundred twentieth 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.