(Albany, NY)-State Senator John J. Bonacic (R/C/I-Mt. Hope) is pleased to announce that his bill, S.1600, has passed the Senate. The bill, known as “Teresita’s Law,” would elevate the charge of causing the death of another, while negligently operating a motor vehicle with a suspended, revoked, or otherwise withdrawn license, from a misdemeanor to a Class E Felony.

This legislation was introduced in honor of Teresita “Grace” Solano, who was killed in Middletown, New York, when she was hit while crossing a street by a negligent driver who was operating a vehicle with a suspended license.  The driver’s license had been previously suspended multiple times, and he had charged with possession of marijuana, however under the current law he could only be charged with a misdemeanor, which carries a maximum jail sentence of 30 days and a $500 fine.  

“When a driver with a suspended license kills another person, he or she must be held accountable for their actions,” said Senator Bonacic. “Those who drive without valid licenses should not be on the road, and when they kill an innocent person they cannot walk away with only a slap on the wrist. It is past time that the Assembly move to pass this bill, and I urge them to vote on it immediately.”

The bill now moves to the Assembly