BILL NUMBER: S7402
SPONSOR: FAHY
 
TITLE OF BILL:
An act to amend the penal law and the vehicle and traffic law, in
relation to increasing the class for certain vehicular crimes and enact-
ing Kane's Law
 
SUMMARY OF PROVISIONS:
Section one indicates that this act shall be known as "Kane's Law"
Section two makes vehicular manslaughter in the second degree a class C
felony.
Section three makes vehicular manslaughter in the first degree a class B
felony.
Section four makes aggravated vehicular homicide a class a-2 felony.
Section five makes aggravated unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle in
the first degree a class D felony.
 
EXISTING LAW:
Currently, vehicular manslaughter in the 2nd degree is a class D felony,
vehicular manslaughter in the 1st degree is a class C felony, aggravated
vehicular homicide is a class B felony, and aggravated unlicensed opera-
tion of a motor vehicle in the 1st degree is a class E felony.
 
JUSTIFICATION:
Kane Buss, 19, was on his way home from a date with his girlfriend when
his car was struck by a drunk driver. Kane died from his injuries and
his girlfriend was critically injured. After Kane's tragic death, his
family was informed that the driver who killed Kane had prior drunk
driving offenses.
This legislation, which increases penalties for vehicular crimes that
result in death, will encourage drivers to think twice before getting
behind the wheel when under the influence of drugs or alcohol. This
legislation will also enact stronger penalties against those who drive
while their license is suspended or revoked, providing real and signif-
icant consequences for drivers who choose to engage in risky and ulti-
mately, life-threatening behavior.
 
PRIOR LEGISLATIVEHISTORY:
2023-2024: A.1356- Referred to Codes
2021-2022: A.1373- Referred to Codes
2019-2020: A.7159- Referred to Codes/S.6109- Referred to Codes
2017-2018: A.9567- Referred to Codes/S.6965- Passed Senate
 
EFFECTIVE DATE:
This act shall take effect immediately.

Statutes affected:
S7402: 125.12 penal law, 125.13 penal law, 125.14 penal law, 511 vehicle and traffic law, 511(3) vehicle and traffic law