Bill > S09159

This bill establishes the crime of "corporate catastrophe" and related offenses, defining a catastrophe as widespread injury or damage caused by events like explosions, fires, floods, or the release of harmful substances, or any other means that could cause significant harm. It creates distinct crimes for individuals who are members, managers, directors, or officers of a corporation and, while acting in their corporate capacity, intentionally cause a catastrophe (aggravated corporate catastrophe, a class B felony), recklessly cause a catastrophe (corporate catastrophe, a class C felony), or recklessly create a risk of a catastrophe (risking corporate catastrophe, a class D felony). The bill also makes it a crime for such individuals to knowingly or recklessly fail to take reasonable measures to prevent or mitigate a catastrophe when they have a legal duty to do so, or to perform or assent to an act that causes or threatens a catastrophe (failure to prevent a corporate catastrophe, a class D felony). Furthermore, any entity whose member, manager, director, or officer is found guilty of these crimes will forfeit their right to do business in the state for at least twenty years, with the Attorney General empowered to enforce this provision.

Housing and Urban Affairs

https://www.nysenate.gov/legislation/bills/2025/S9159