Implements "Cassie's law" which provides a private right of action for crime victims against persons or private entities who suppress evidence of a crime in exchange for monetary compensation.
Summary
S05682, titled “Cassie’s law,” would amend New York’s General Obligations Law to declare void any contract or promise in which a person or private entity agrees to render criminal assistance in exchange for compensation. The bill defines “rendering criminal assistance” as suppressing, by concealment, alteration, or destruction, physical evidence that could help law enforcement discover, apprehend, or charge an alleged offender, when done with the intent to hinder a criminal investigation or prosecution.
The bill also creates a private right of action for the victim of the underlying crime against the person or entity that entered into such an agreement. A victim could sue for this conduct, and the bill sets a five-year limitations period running from when the victim discovers, or reasonably should have discovered, the concealment. It states that existing federal and state remedies are not limited by this new provision and that the law would take effect immediately.
Impact
If enacted, the bill would add a new title to Article 5 of the General Obligations Law and make evidence-concealment-for-pay agreements unenforceable as contrary to public policy. It would also give crime victims a new civil cause of action against individuals or private entities that allegedly paid for or agreed to suppress evidence of a crime, expanding potential civil liability beyond existing criminal or civil remedies.
Sentiment
The available context shows the bill was introduced and referred to the Judiciary Committee, but there are no recorded committee transcripts or votes in the provided material. As a result, there is no documented legislative debate or recorded support/opposition to gauge sentiment beyond the bill’s apparent purpose of strengthening accountability for paid evidence suppression.
Contention
The main policy issue raised by the bill is whether creating a private lawsuit for victims is an appropriate and effective way to deter agreements that conceal evidence of crimes. Potential points of contention include the scope of what counts as “criminal assistance,” whether the bill could reach private entities such as media or other intermediaries in edge cases, and how the five-year discovery-based limitations period would operate. Because no committee discussion or votes are provided, no specific legislators or stakeholder groups are identified as taking positions.
Same As
Implements "Cassie's law" which provides a private right of action for crime victims against persons or private entities who suppress evidence of a crime in exchange for monetary compensation.
Implements "Cassie's law" which provides a private right of action for crime victims against persons or private entities who suppress evidence of a crime in exchange for monetary compensation.
Establishes the Biometric Information Privacy Act, which establishes requirements for and a cause of action against private entities in possession of biometric information
Expands "Daniel's Law" protections; requires Office of Information Privacy to establish portal for prohibiting disclosure of personal information by private entities and establishes penalties for failure to comply.
Expands "Daniel's Law" protections; requires Office of Information Privacy to establish portal for prohibiting disclosure of personal information by private entities and establishes penalties for failure to comply.