New York A00717 amends the penal law to classify damaging a building or motor vehicle by fire or explosion during a felony as arson.

New York A00717 amends the penal law to establish that a person is guilty of arson when they recklessly damage a building or motor vehicle by fire or explosion while committing or attempting to commit a felony. The bill defines arson in the fourth degree as a class E felony. It also provides an affirmative defense in prosecutions if the defendant had no possessory or proprietary interest in the damaged property or if all interested parties consented to the defendant's actions. The act takes effect immediately.

New York A00717 amends the penal law to classify damaging a building or motor vehicle by fire or explosion during a felony as arson.

New York A00717 amends the penal law to establish that a person is guilty of arson when they recklessly damage a building or motor vehicle by fire or explosion while committing or attempting to commit a felony. The bill defines arson in the fourth degree as a class E felony. It also provides an affirmative defense in prosecutions if the defendant had no possessory or proprietary interest in the damaged property or if all interested parties consented to the defendant's actions. The act takes effect immediately.