Bill > A05783

This bill, known as "Paula's Law," amends the New York State Penal Law to expand upon "Joan's Law" from 2004 by changing the age threshold for a specific type of criminal homicide. Currently, if a person 18 years or older intentionally causes the death of a victim while committing certain sexual crimes (such as rape, sexual abuse, aggravated sexual abuse, or incest), the law only applies if the victim is under 14 years old. The bill modifies this provision to extend the same legal consequences to cases where the victim is under 18 years old. Specifically, the bill changes the language from "less than fourteen" to "less than eighteen" years old, and slightly adjusts the phrasing describing the defendant's actions. The legislative intent is to provide broader protection for minors and increase potential legal penalties for perpetrators of sexual crimes against younger victims. The bill is set to take effect on the first of November following its enactment, expanding the scope of prosecutorial options in cases involving sexual crimes against minors.

Housing and Urban Affairs

https://www.nysenate.gov/legislation/bills/2025/A5783