BILL NUMBER: S3619
SPONSOR: ORTT
 
TITLE OF BILL:
An act to amend the penal law, in relation to burglary in the second
degree
 
PURPOSE:
To amend the penal law in relation to burglary on premises used as a
farm operation
 
SUMMARY OF PROVISIONS:
Section 1 amends Section 140.25 of the Penal Law to include that a
person shall have committed burglary in the second degree when he know-
ingly enters or remains unlawfully in or upon a premises that is real
property used as a farm operation, with intent to commit a crime.
Section 2 provides an immediate effective date.
 
JUSTIFICATION:
In recent days, a so-called animal rescue group has been targeting West-
ern New York farmers to steal their livestock. This group has actively
recruited individuals and planned on how to engage in this activity.
They have unlawfully entered people's homes and places of business to
steal their property. Livestock are not pets; they are the livelihood
for our farmers and others who are trying to support themselves and
their families.
Under current law, burglary in the second degree does not explicitly
protect farms or other real property used in farm operations. This bill
would clarify and make it a crime for someone to enter onto one's prop-
erty to steal their personal property.
 
LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:
2023-2024: S.6586/A.6948 Referred to Codes
 
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS:
None.
 
EFFECTIVE DATE:
This act shall take effect immediately.