A 5751: Relates to increasing the class for certain vehicular crimes and enacting Kane's law; increases the class of vehicular manslaughter in the first and second degrees, aggravated vehicular homicide, and aggravated unlicensed operation in the first degree.
This law, known as "Kane's Law", aims to increase the classification of certain vehicular crimes. The law amends the Penal Law and Vehicle and Traffic Law to make the following changes: The law increases the classification of vehicular manslaughter in the second degree to a class D felony and in the first degree to a class C felony. Additionally, it classifies aggravated vehicular homicide as a class B-A2 felony. The law also changes the classification of aggravated unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle in the first degree to a class E-D felony. This change requires a minimum fine of $500 and a maximum fine of $5,000, and a possible prison sentence. The law takes effect immediately.
- What is the current status of A 5751?
- As of January 9, 2026, A 5751 is recorded as "Introduced": it has been introduced and is waiting for its first committee hearing or floor vote. The last recorded action, on January 7, 2026, was "referred to codes".
- Did A 5751 pass?
- Not yet. A 5751 has been introduced and has not passed either house.
- Who wrote A 5751, and where is it now?
- A 5751 was authored by Asm. Marianne Buttenschon with 5 coauthors. Its committee of record is Assembly Codes.
| Jan. 07, 2026 | referred to codes |
| Feb. 20, 2025 | referred to codes |
STATE OF NEW YORK ________________________________________________________________________ 5751 2025-2026 Regular Sessions IN ASSEMBLY February 20, 2025 ___________ Introduced by M. of A. BUTTENSCHON, BARCLAY, CRUZ, SAYEGH, GRAY, ANGELI- NO -- read once and referred to the Committee on Codes AN ACT to amend the penal law and the vehicle and traffic law, in relation to increasing the class for certain vehicular crimes and enacting Kane's Law The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assem- bly, do enact as follows: 1 Section 1. Short title. This act shall be known and may be cited as 2 "Kane's Law". 3 § 2. The second undesignated paragraph of section 125.12 of the penal 4 law, as amended by chapter 732 of the laws of 2006, is amended to read 5 as follows: 6 Vehicular manslaughter in the second degree is a class [D] C felony. 7 § 3. The second undesignated paragraph of section 125.13 of the penal 8 law, as amended by chapter 496 of the laws of 2009, is amended to read 9 as follows: 10 Vehicular manslaughter in the first degree is a class [C] B felony. 11 § 4. The second undesignated paragraph of section 125.14 of the penal 12 law, as amended by chapter 496 of the laws of 2009, is amended to read 13 as follows: 14 Aggravated vehicular homicide is a class [B] A-2 felony. 15 § 5. Paragraph (b) of subdivision 3 of section 511 of the vehicle and 16 traffic law, as amended by chapter 722 of the laws of 2023, is amended 17 to read as follows: 18 (b) Aggravated unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle in the first 19 degree is a class [E] D felony. When a person is convicted of this 20 crime, the sentence of the court must be: (i) a fine in an amount not 21 less than five hundred dollars nor more than five thousand dollars; and 22 (ii) a term of imprisonment as provided in the penal law except that 23 where a person is convicted of this crime under subparagraph (v) of 24 paragraph (a) of this subdivision, any term of imprisonment imposed for EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets [] is old law to be omitted. LBD10049-01-5A. 5751 2 1 a violation of this section shall be a definite sentence, which may not 2 exceed two years, or (iii) where appropriate and a term of imprisonment 3 is not required by the penal law, a sentence of probation as provided in 4 subdivision six of this section, or (iv) a term of imprisonment as a 5 condition of a sentence of probation as provided in the penal law. 6 § 6. This act shall take effect immediately.