A 280: Provides that a person may be charged with promoting a suicide or manslaughter if such person is convicted of endangering the welfare of a vulnerable elderly person, an incompetent or physically disabled person and the conduct was the proximate cause of the victim's suicide.
The proposed law aims to strengthen penalties for individuals who promote or contribute to a suicide attempt. It defines promoting a suicide attempt as intentionally causing or aiding another person to attempt suicide, or endangering the welfare of vulnerable individuals and significantly contributing to their suicide attempt. This offense is classified as a class E felony. Additionally, the law expands the definition of manslaughter in the second degree to include situations where a person recklessly causes the death of another, intentionally aids another person to commit suicide, or endangers the welfare of vulnerable individuals and significantly contributes to their suicide. This offense is classified as a class C felony. The proposed law will take effect immediately.
| Jan. 07, 2026 | referred to codes |
| Jan. 08, 2025 | referred to codes |
STATE OF NEW YORK ________________________________________________________________________ 280 2025-2026 Regular Sessions IN ASSEMBLY (Prefiled) January 8, 2025 ___________ Introduced by M. of A. BARRETT, SANTABARBARA, McDONOUGH -- read once and referred to the Committee on Codes AN ACT to amend the penal law, in relation to penalties for promotion of a suicide attempt The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assem- bly, do enact as follows: 1 Section 1. Section 120.30 of the penal law is amended to read as 2 follows: 3 § 120.30 Promoting a suicide attempt. 4 A person is guilty of promoting a suicide attempt when [he]: 5 (a) such person intentionally causes or aids another person to attempt 6 suicide; or 7 (b) such person endangers the welfare of an incompetent, a vulnerable 8 elderly person or a physically disabled person as set forth in section 9 260.25, 260.32 or 260.34 of this chapter and such conduct significantly 10 contributed to the victim's suicide attempt. 11 Promoting a suicide attempt is a class E felony. 12 § 2. Section 125.15 of the penal law is amended to read as follows: 13 § 125.15 Manslaughter in the second degree. 14 A person is guilty of manslaughter in the second degree when: 15 1. [He] Such person recklessly causes the death of another person; or 16 [3. He] 2. Such person intentionally causes or aids another person to 17 commit suicide; 18 3. Such person endangers the welfare of an incompetent, a vulnerable 19 elderly person, or a physically disabled person as set forth in section 20 260.25, 260.32 or 260.34 of this chapter and such conduct significantly 21 contributed to the victim's suicide. 22 Manslaughter in the second degree is a class C felony. 23 § 3. This act shall take effect immediately. EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets [] is old law to be omitted. LBD00304-01-5