Assemblyman Dean Murray, a Suffolk County Democrat, is calling for a new law that would place harsher penalties on those who drive with suspended licenses.
The bill (S.00458/A.8369) is known as “Angelica’s Law.” It was named after Angelica Nappi, a 14-year old from Medford, New York who was killed after an unlicensed driver ran a red light in 2008.
Angelica’s Law is also being sponsored by Sen. Carl Marcellino, a Republican who represents areas of Nassau and Suffolk counties.
The driver previously had his license suspended seven times before the fatal accident. Angelica’s mother, Dawn Nappi, has been advocating for the passage of this law for the past eight years in hopes of making the roads safer.
The bill has been referred to the Transportation Committee in both the Senate and Assembly.
Under this legislation a person could be prosecuted for aggravated unlicensed operation in the first degree if they have five or more suspensions for failure to answer, appear or pay a fine. A driver could also be prosecuted for aggravated unlicensed operation in the second degree if they have two or more suspensions for failure to answer, appear or pay a fine.
“There is no place for partisan politics when it comes to passing common sense legislation that will save lives, that’s exactly what this bill will do,” Murray said.
