Bill > A05498

This bill establishes a new criminal offense called "criminal use of public records" as a class E felony in New York state law. Specifically, the bill defines the crime as intentionally obtaining a public record through legal channels (such as using the Freedom of Information Law) with the deliberate intent to use that record to commit or further another criminal act. The bill references the definition of "record" from the public officers law, ensuring that the term is consistently understood. Under this proposed legislation, if someone purposefully acquires a public record and then attempts to use it in the course of or as a tool to commit a crime, they can be charged with this felony. The new law would take effect on the first of November following its passage, providing a clear timeline for implementation. This bill appears designed to prevent the misuse of legally obtained public documents for criminal purposes, adding an additional layer of legal protection against potential document-related criminal activities.