Bill > S06425

This bill establishes a new criminal offense called "vehicular manslaughter in the third degree" under New York state law, which will be classified as a class E felony. The law creates three specific scenarios where a person can be charged with this crime: (1) causing someone's death while driving recklessly, as defined by section 1212 of the vehicle and traffic law; (2) causing someone's death while committing aggravated unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle in the third degree, as outlined in section 511 of the vehicle and traffic law; or (3) causing someone's death while driving an uninsured motor vehicle, as specified in section 3420 of the insurance law. Named "Barreto's law" after presumably a victim or advocate, the bill aims to create stricter legal consequences for dangerous driving behaviors that result in fatal accidents. The law will take effect immediately upon passage, providing prosecutors with a new tool to hold drivers accountable for fatal incidents involving reckless, unlicensed, or uninsured driving.

Housing and Urban Affairs

https://www.nysenate.gov/legislation/bills/2025/S6425