Bill > A00280

This bill amends the New York Penal Law to expand criminal liability for promoting suicide and manslaughter by adding provisions that specifically target individuals who endanger vulnerable populations. Under the proposed changes, a person can now be charged with promoting a suicide attempt or manslaughter in the second degree if they endanger the welfare of an incompetent, vulnerable elderly person, or physically disabled person as defined in sections 260.25, 260.32, or 260.34 of the penal law, and their conduct significantly contributes to the victim's suicide attempt or suicide. The bill updates language to remove gender-specific pronouns and introduces new legal criteria that would make such endangerment of vulnerable individuals a class E felony for promoting a suicide attempt and a class C felony for manslaughter. These modifications aim to provide additional legal protections for vulnerable populations by creating clearer pathways for prosecuting individuals whose actions may contribute to a vulnerable person's suicide or suicide attempt.

Housing and Urban Affairs

https://www.nysenate.gov/legislation/bills/2025/A280