Bill > A07049

This bill, known as "Jeremiah's Law", establishes a new criminal offense in the New York Penal Law specifically related to filing a false report concerning a minor. Under the new section 240.49, a person can be charged with a class E felony if they falsely report an incident in the third degree (as defined in section 240.50 of the penal law) and the subject of the false report is a child under 13 years old. The bill appears to create additional legal consequences for making false reports that involve young children, potentially to protect minors from the serious harm that can result from malicious or reckless false accusations. The law is set to take effect on the first of November following its passage, giving time for law enforcement and judicial systems to prepare for the new statute. By specifically targeting false reports about children under 13 and classifying it as a felony, the bill seems intended to deter false reporting and protect vulnerable young individuals from potential reputational, emotional, or legal damage.

Housing and Urban Affairs

https://www.nysenate.gov/legislation/bills/2025/A7049