NY A03278

Establishes a new crime of "endangering the welfare of a child in the first degree" as a class E felony, applying when a person knowingly or recklessly acts in a manner creating risk of serious physical injury or protracted impairment to a child under 17 years old.

Creates an additional first-degree charge when a person commits second-degree endangering the welfare, is 18 or older, and causes physical injury to a child under 7, or has prior convictions for specified violent, sexual, or drug-related felonies involving a victim under 17.

Amends the existing "endangering the welfare of a child in the second degree" statute to clarify it is a class A misdemeanor (previously unspecified in the criminal code).

Updates the vehicle and traffic law to include conviction under the new section 260.09 (first-degree child endangerment) as grounds for five-year driver license disqualification; removes references to obsolete penal law sections 125.40 and 125.45.

Becomes effective 180 days after enactment.