Bill > S05897

This bill creates a new criminal offense in the New York Penal Law called "Falsely accusing someone of a crime," which would make it a class E felony to intentionally sign and submit a false accusatory instrument (such as a police report or complaint) to a law enforcement officer. Specifically, the law would apply when a person knowingly submits a document containing false allegations while being aware that the content of the document is untrue. The bill would add a new section (§ 240.49) to the existing penal law, making it a criminal act to deliberately make a false accusation against someone. A class E felony is considered a lower-level felony in New York's criminal classification system, which typically carries a potential prison sentence of up to four years. The legislation is designed to deter individuals from maliciously filing false police reports or making unfounded criminal accusations that could harm another person's reputation or trigger unwarranted legal proceedings. The bill is set to take effect on the first of November following its enactment, providing a clear timeline for implementation.

Housing and Urban Affairs

https://www.nysenate.gov/legislation/bills/2025/S5897