BILL NUMBER: S5573
SPONSOR: LANZA
 
TITLE OF BILL:
An act to amend the penal law, in relation to making rape in the first
degree a class A-I felony with a penalty of life imprisonment without
parole
 
PURPOSE:
Provides that rape in the first degree shall be a class A-I felony and
shall be punishable by life in prison without parole.
 
SUMMARY OF PROVISIONS:
Section 1 amends the closing paragraph of section 130.35 of the penal
law, as amended by chapter 1 of the laws of 2000.
Section 2 amends subdivision 5 of section 70.00 of the penal law to make
defendants sentenced to life imprisonment without parole not eligible
for parole or conditional release.
Section 3 deems this act shall take effect on the first of November next
succeeding the date on which it shall have become a law.
 
JUSTIFICATION:
In numerous instances, including a 2008 attack and rape of a NYC woman,
have made it evident that harsher punishments are necessary for individ-
uals who are guilty of rape. A Columbia Graduate student who endured
over nineteen hours of both rape and torture exemplifies why the penal
law should be amended to mandate that individuals guilty of rape in the
first degree, shall be guilty of a class A-I felony. Individual's who
partake in a heinous crime such as rape, should be forced to serve the
maximum sentence, without the option of parole, due to the risk that
they may rape again or commit another horrific act. A one time offense
of this severity is more than enough reason to increase penalties and
keep perpetrators safely behind bars and away from the public.
 
LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:
2024: S.4110 - Referred to Codes
2023: S.4110 - Referred to Codes
2022: S.4635 - Referred to Codes
2021: S.4635 - Referred to Codes
2020: S.1784 - Referred to Codes
2019: S.1784 - Referred to Codes
2018: S.6151 - Referred to Codes/A.8443-A - Referred to Codes
2017: S.6151 - Referred to Codes/A.8443Referred to Codes
2016: S.4504 - Referred to Codes
2015: S.4504 - Passed Senate
2014: S.2144 - Referred to Codes/A.7422 Referred to Codes
2013: S.2144 - Referred to Codes/A.7422 Referred to Codes
2012: S.3543 - Referred to Codes/A.7353 Referred to Codes
2011: S.3543 - Referred to Codes/A.7353 Referred to Codes
2010: S.479 - Referred to Codes/A.7402 - Referred to Codes
2009: S.479 - Referred to Codes/A.7402 - Referred to Codes
2008: S.5709 - Referredto Codes/A.8597 - Referred to Codes
 
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS:
None.
 
EFFECTIVE DATE:
The first of November next succeeding the date on which it shall have
become a law.

Statutes affected:
S5573: 130.35 penal law, 70.00 penal law, 70.00(5) penal law