New York Assembly Bill A08343

New York 2025-2026 Regular Session

• Introduced: 5/13/25
• Refer: 5/13/25

Caption

Establishes the offense of aggravated murder of a child, aggravated abuse of a child, aggravated manslaughter of a child, and aggravated endangering the welfare of a child; requires the recording of calls to the statewide register of child abuse made by mandated reporters; defines "neglected child".

Impact

By enacting this legislation, New York state aims to strengthen its legal framework regarding child abuse and ensure that individuals who abuse or endanger children face stringent consequences. This bill will affect existing child protection laws, making it more difficult for offenders to evade justice and reinforcing support systems for victims of child abuse. It also requires the Office of Children and Family Services to investigate previous reports of child abuse more rigorously and increases the standards for accountability when a child is endangered.

Summary

Bill A08343, also known as 'Erin's Law', establishes several serious offenses related to child welfare, including aggravated murder of a child, aggravated abuse of a child, aggravated manslaughter of a child, and aggravated endangering the welfare of a child. The bill amends multiple sections of the penal law and social services law to enhance protections for children and hold those responsible for their care accountable. Specifically, it introduces harsher penalties for individuals convicted of these offenses, including life imprisonment without parole for aggravated murder of a child, which is defined in the legislation as a class A-I felony.

Contention

Discussion surrounding Bill A08343 highlights a few areas of contention. Proponents argue that the bill provides necessary reforms to prioritize child safety and deter potential offenders through its strict penalties. However, some critics express concern that by imposing mandatory penalties such as life imprisonment without parole for certain offenses, the bill may limit judicial discretion and lead to disproportionate sentences in cases where circumstances could warrant more lenient handling.