New York laws named for the people they could have saved

Sammy’s Law, named for a young Brooklynite killed by a speeding car, is just one of many pieces of legislation in New York that was named after a victim who could have been saved had the law existed. “When a bill is personalized in that way, it creates a stronger connection to the issue,” Sammy’s Law sponsor Assembly Member Linda Rosenthal told City & State. “When you name something for someone, you really want to highlight the tragedy which shows how much this bill is needed.” Here are seven state laws named after people who would have been protected by those laws.

Sammy’s Law

Status: Passed in the state Senate

Sammy’s Law was named for Sammy Cohen Eckstein, a 12-year-old New Yorker who was killed by a speeding driver near Prospect Park in 2013. If passed, this state law would allow New York City to set its own speed limits, leaving the rest of the state’s limits unaffected.

Daniel’s Law

Status: In committee

Daniel Prude was killed by Rochester police after they responded to a request for assistance for a mental health crisis. This law, if passed, would create a statewide Emergency and Crisis Response Council to work with local governments to develop “preventive, rehabilitative, crisis response and treatment services.”

Brendan’s Law

Status: Signed in 2022

At 2 years old, Suffolk County resident Brendan McCarthy was tangled in the cord of his home’s window blinds while playing with his brother and died of strangulation. To protect young children from similar injuries, Brendan’s Law requires any new or replacement window coverings in child care centers to be cordless.

Naila’s Law

Status: Signed in 2021

Naila Amin was just 13 years old when she was forced to marry her 21-year-old cousin in Pakistan. Now, she’s an activist working to get child marriage outlawed in all 50 states. Naila’s Law raised the minimum age for consent to marriage to 18 years old, making New York one of six states that have banned child marriage.

Leandra’s Law

Status: Signed in 2009

Leandra Rosado was killed at age 11 after the driver of the car she was in lost control while driving on the Henry Hudson Parkway. The driver had been drinking for several hours prior to driving. In 2009, Leandra’s Law became one of the strictest DWI regulations in the country. As a result, first time offenders found to be driving while drunk or high with a child under 16 in the car are able to be charged with a Class E felony and be sentenced to up to four years in state prison. Drivers who are under the influence and cause the death of a child under 16 in their car are to be charged with Class B felony and can be sentenced for up to 25 years in state prison.

Jonathan’s Law

Status: Signed in 2007

Autistic 13-year-old Jonathan Carey died from abuse and neglect at a state-run residential facility, and the facility denied his parents access to the incident report. Jonathan’s Law requires state facilities to report incidents to a victim’s legal guardian within 24 hours of the initial report, to meet with the guardians and provide a redacted version of the incident report upon request.

Kendra’s Law

Status: Signed in 1999

Kendra Webdale died after a man pushed her in front of an oncoming subway train. The man had a history of hospitalizations for mental illness. Kendra’s Law allows civil courts to mandate assisted outpatient treatment for people with severe mental illness that puts them at risk for being a danger to themselves or others. The law applies to people who have a history of hospitalizations or violence and assigns them to community-based services depending on their needs to prevent further violence.