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Bill

S 5232

Relates to the crime of staging a motor vehicle accident in the second degree

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Joe Addabbo and 2 co-sponsors

Creates or tightens a second-degree offense for staging a motor vehicle accident to deter insurance fraud and related schemes.

REFERRED TO CODES
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WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · S 5232

Summary: S 5232 – Relates to the crime of staging a motor vehicle accident in the second degree

Overview

S 5232 is a Senate bill introduced on February 19, 2025, and currently referred to the Codes Committee. The primary sponsor is Leroy Comrie, with Pamela Helming listed as a cosponsor. The bill is part of a legislative package addressing the crime of staging motor vehicle accidents, specifically described as “in the second degree.” Related measures include S 7754 from a prior session and Assembly companion bills A 3851.

Purpose and intent

  • The bill aims to address and criminalize the staging of motor vehicle accidents, with the creation (or modification) of a second-degree offense.
  • The underlying public policy focus is likely to deter insurance fraud and other fraudulent schemes that rely on staged crashes.

Key provisions (scope and what the bill would do)

  • The exact elements, definitions, penalties, and defenses would be contained in the bill’s text. Based on the title, the measure would establish or modify a second-degree offense related to staging a motor vehicle accident.
  • The bill would define the conduct that constitutes staging and set the corresponding criminal classification (second degree).
  • It would outline procedural aspects (e.g., charging standards, evidence requirements, potential defenses) as part of the crime configuration.

Note: Specific elements, sentence ranges, and procedural mechanics are not provided in the available summary.

Affected parties and impacts

  • Individuals who stage motor vehicle accidents or participate in such schemes would be directly affected.
  • Insurance companies, medical providers, law enforcement, and prosecutors would be impacted through enforcement, investigation, and adjudication of these offenses.
  • The measure could affect insurance fraud deterrence and related regulatory enforcement.

Procedural and timeline aspects

  • Introduced: February 19, 2025.
  • Status: Referred to the Codes Committee (indicating it will undergo committee review, with potential amendments, hearings, and votes before advancing).

Legislative context

  • Related bills: S 7754 (prior-session) and Assembly counterparts A 3851 (companion) listed (the companion appears twice, indicating cross-chamber activity).
  • The companion bills suggest alignment between the Senate and Assembly on this policy topic.

Considerations for readers

  • The bill’s concrete elements, penalties, and defenses will be essential to assess its actual reach and impact. Readers may wish to review the full text once available and monitor updates from the Codes Committee to understand potential amendments and the eventual fate of the measure.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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