What's happening
This bill allows consecutive prison sentences for certain violent offenses if the offender was under supervision and caused serious harm or death to multiple victims.
Why it matters
Targets especially serious repeat offenders. The bill specifically applies to those already under some form of criminal justice supervision (supervised release, probation, conditional release, or parole), signaling a focus on individuals who commit violent crimes despite being given a chance to reintegrate into society.
Addresses harm to multiple victims. By requiring that there be multiple victims who each suffered serious physical injury or death, the bill emphasizes justice for cases with significant, widespread harm, potentially increasing accountability for offenders whose actions have broad and severe consequences.
Enables longer prison terms in violent cases. Allowing consecutive sentencing for qualifying convictions means offenders could serve much longer prison terms, as sentences are stacked rather than served at the same time. This could change plea bargaining dynamics, deterrence, and outcomes in high-profile violent crime cases.
Narrowly tailored to the most severe violent offenses. The amendment only applies if at least one conviction is for the most serious violent crimes (those under article 125, which includes homicide and related offenses), ensuring the expanded sentencing power is reserved for the gravest cases.
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Who cares
Headline styles
Tougher Sentences for Repeat Offenders
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
1 Co-sponsor
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.
Tougher Sentences for Repeat Offenders
In Senate Committee · Codes · Sponsor Susan Serino
Full text
1 pageUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
5908
2019-2020 Regular Sessions
IN ASSEMBLY
February 20, 2019
Introduced by M. of A. GALEF, LALOR -- read once and referred to the Committee on Codes
AN ACT to amend the penal law, in relation to consecutive sentencing for certain convictions
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assembly, do enact as follows:
Section 1. Subdivision 2 of section 70.25 of the penal law, as amended by chapter 56 of the laws of 1984, is amended to read as follows:
2. When more than one sentence of imprisonment is imposed on a person for two or more offenses committed through a single act or omission, or through an act or omission which in itself constituted one of the offenses and also was a material element of the other, the sentences, except if one or more of such sentences is for a violation of section 270.20 of this chapter, must run concurrently. Provided however that a sentence may run consecutively if (a) the person was under supervised release, conditional release, probation, or parole at the time of the act; and (b) there were multiple victims who each sustained serious physical injury or death; and (c) if one or more of such sentences is for a conviction under article one hundred twenty-five of this chapter.
§ 2. 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.
LBD06843-01-9
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.