Bill > A05876

This bill establishes a new crime called "vehicular manslaughter in the third degree" in the New York penal code, which would make it a class E felony for a person to cause another person's death through two specific types of dangerous driving: (1) reckless driving, which is defined under section 1212 of the vehicle and traffic law, or (2) aggravated unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle in the third degree, as defined under section 511 of the vehicle and traffic law. The bill, named "Barreto's law," creates a legal mechanism to hold drivers criminally responsible when their extremely dangerous driving results in a fatality, even if the death was not intentional. By classifying this as a class E felony, the legislation allows for potential criminal penalties including potential imprisonment and fines for drivers who cause fatal accidents through reckless or unlicensed driving. The law is designed to provide a specific legal pathway for prosecuting drivers whose negligence or disregard for traffic laws leads to someone's death, potentially serving as both a punitive and deterrent measure to improve road safety.

Housing and Urban Affairs

https://www.nysenate.gov/legislation/bills/2025/A5876