BILL NUMBER: S3137
SPONSOR: COONEY
 
TITLE OF BILL:
An act to amend the criminal procedure law, in relation to criminal
possession of stolen property
 
SUMMARY OF SPECIFIC PROVISIONS:
Section 1 amends section 510.10 of the criminal procedure law by adding
the crimes of criminal possession of stolen property in the fourth,
third, second, and first, as well as grand larceny in the fourth, third,
and second to the list of qualifying offenses.
Section 2 amends section 530.20 of the criminal procedure law to make
corresponding changes.
Section 3 amends section 530.40 of the criminal procedure law to make
corresponding changes.
Section 4 is the effective date.
 
JUSTIFICATION:
Encouraged by social media trends, car thefts have been on the rise
across New York State. Unfortunately, some areas of the state have been
disproportionately impacted by these car thefts and break-ins, especial-
ly for Hyundai and Kia models. As recognized by the Governor in a recent
press conference, Western New York has been hardest hit. Monroe County
has seen the highest increase of any county in the nation, with a 345
percent increase in car thefts in the first seven months of 2023, with.
Erie County following at 213 percent. These two counties alone account
for two-thirds of the car thefts in the state, outside of New York City.
The City of Rochester was hit the hardest within Monroe County, experi-
encing a staggering 829 percent increase, with the City of Buffalo at
488 percent.
This bill, the Car Theft Prevention Act, adds the felony offenses of
criminal possession of stolen property in the first through fourth
degrees and grand larceny in the second through fourth degrees as quali-
fying offenses that can trigger bail eligibility and consideration. This
will provide local law enforcement and judges with another discretionary
tool to tackle this immediate crisis.
 
PRIOR LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:
2023-24: S.7715A
 
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS FOR STATE AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT:
None.
 
EFFECTIVE DATE:
This act shall take effect on the ninetieth day after it shall have
become a law.