What's happening
This bill names the existing definition of "person" in homicide cases as "Mya's law" without changing its meaning.
Why it matters
By officially naming the existing definition of "person" in homicide law as "Mya's law," the bill gives symbolic recognition to a specific case or individual, which may influence public awareness or future legal debates around the issue.
The unchanged definition—that a homicide victim must be "a human being who has been born and is alive"—continues to exclude fetuses from homicide protections, which could be significant in ongoing discussions about fetal rights or related legal reforms.
The act of naming the provision may serve as a legislative signal regarding the state’s stance on when legal personhood begins in the context of homicide, potentially impacting advocacy efforts both for and against expanding legal definitions in the future.
Albany, before your first meeting.
Every bill that moved yesterday, summarized in a sentence and ranked by impact. The Albany Scorecard follows on Sundays.
Free. Unsubscribe in one click. Want alerts on specific bills? Create an account.
Who cares
Headline styles
Define Homicide Victim as Born
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.
Define Homicide Victim as Born
In Assembly Committee · Codes · Sponsor Stephen Hawley
Full text
1 pageUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
683
2019-2020 Regular Sessions
IN SENATE (Prefiled)
January 9, 2019
Introduced by Sen. ORTT -- read twice and ordered printed, and when printed to be committed to the Committee on Codes
AN ACT to amend the penal law, in relation to the definition of person
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assembly, do enact as follows:
Section 1. Subdivision 1 of section 125.05 of the penal law is amended to read as follows:
1. "Person," when referring to the victim of a homicide, means a human being who has been born and is alive. This provision shall be known as "Mya's law".
§ 2. This act shall take effect immediately.
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD02388-01-9
Reflowed for reading: line numbers and page breaks removed. Cite the official text.
Sponsor's memo
Title of bill
An act to amend the penal law, in relation to the definition of person
Purpose or general idea of bill
This legislation names the provision related to person of Subdivision 1 of Section 125.05 of the penal law as Mya's Law.
Summary of specific provisions
Section 1 This legislation names the provision related to person of Subdivision 1 of Section125.05 of the penal law as Mya's Law.
Section 2 is the effective date.
Justification
This legislation names the provision related to person of Subdivision 1 of Section125.05 of the penal law as Mya's Law.On March 26, 2010 an individual escaping the commission of a crime led police on a highspeed chase and caused a head on accident with a car being driven by Heather Nenni, who was 6 months pregnant at that time. This accident caused Heather to lose almost half of her blood and emergency C-section was performed. Mya Nenni was born alive but in extreme distress. Heather Nenni would recover from this accident, however Mya would not. The indi- vidual who caused this accident was charged with various crimes includ- ing causing the death of Mya Nenni. This legislation aims to honor Mya's memory.
Prior legislative history
2017-2018: S.5650 referred to Codes
Fiscal implications
None.
Effective date
This act shall take effect immediately.
Summaries, headlines and scores are AI-generated from the official bill text. How we score bills. Source: NYS Open Legislation.