BILL NUMBER: S1748
SPONSOR: OBERACKER
 
TITLE OF BILL:
An act to amend the criminal procedure law, in relation to securing
orders for principals charged with arson felony offenses
 
PURPOSE OR GENERAL IDEA OF BILL:
To add felony arson in the third degree and the fourth degree to the
list of bail eligible offenses
 
SUMMARY OF PROVISIONS:
Section 1. This act shall be known as "Billy's Law"
Section 2. Adds felony arson in the third and fourth degree to the list
of bail eligible offenses
Section 3. Adds conforming language to section 530.20 of the CPL
Section 4. Adds conforming language to section 530.40 of the CPL
Section 5. Sets forth the effective date
 
JUSTIFICATION:
On January 15th, 2022, Forestburgh Assistant Fire Chief William "Billy"
Steinberg was tragically killed while responding to a fire in the Town
of Thompson in Sullivan County. He was just 37 years old. This bill is
named in his honor.
Mohammed Islam, a resident of Brooklyn, was later charged with setting
the blaze that led to Billy's death. He broke into the home and inten-
tionally started the fire in a dresser drawer. He has been charged with
second-degree burglary and fourth degree arson.
The problem is, Mr. Islam should not have been free to set this fire in
the first place. He had already been charged with two previous arsons,
and due to the State's bail laws, he was not eligible to be assigned
bail and was therefore released and free to commit the crime that led to
Billy Steinberg's death. This should never have been allowed to happen.
This legislation adds arson in the third degree and arson in the fourth
degree (both felonies) to the list of offenses eligible for bait. There
is no question had this law been in place that the fire that led to
Billy Steinberg's death would not have happened because the perpetrator
would have been assigned bail and held in custody.
The purpose of this bill is to bring a measure of justice for Billy
Steinberg and his family and to prevent further needless deaths, by
ensuring that our judges have the proper tools to protect our communi-
ties from dangerous arsonists.
 
PRIOR LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:
2023-2024 - S4570
2022-S8181 - Reported to Committee on Finance
2022- A9381- Referred to Codes
 
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS FOR STATE AND LOCAL GOVERNMENTS:
None
 
EFFECTIVE DATE:
This act shall take effect immediately