Bill > S05291

This bill eliminates the death penalty and life imprisonment without parole in New York State by systematically removing references to these sentencing options across multiple areas of state law. Specifically, the bill removes provisions related to death sentences and life without parole from the penal law, correction law, and criminal procedure law, effectively ending these two most severe forms of criminal sentencing. The legislation modifies existing statutes to remove language about death sentences and life without parole, such as changing sentencing guidelines for serious crimes like first-degree murder to allow for other forms of imprisonment. For example, when someone is convicted of first-degree murder, they would now be sentenced to a term of imprisonment for a class A-I felony, but not to life without parole. The bill impacts numerous sections of law, including jury selection procedures, appeals processes, and sentencing guidelines, comprehensively removing the legal infrastructure that previously supported death sentences and life without parole. The changes will take effect 120 days after the bill becomes law, providing time for legal systems to adapt to the new sentencing framework.

Housing and Urban Affairs

https://www.nysenate.gov/legislation/bills/2025/S5291