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NY A07008
Bill
Status
4/19/2021
Primary Sponsor
Michael Cusick
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AI Summary
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Adds criminal impersonation in the first degree as a penal offense when someone pretends to be an elected official or candidate via internet or electronic means with intent to obtain a benefit or defraud another.
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Creates a new class E felony for fraud in connection with primary elections, caucuses, or conventions, with civil penalties enforced by the state board of elections.
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Requires social media companies to close impersonated or fraudulent accounts within 24 hours of receiving a complaint alleging criminal impersonation or election fraud.
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Grants the state board of elections chief enforcement counsel independent authority to investigate allegations, issue subpoenas, and issue cease and desist orders to social media companies.
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Authorizes the state board of elections to seek injunctive relief requiring social media companies to cease operations if they fail to address complaints of criminal impersonation or election fraud.
Legislative Description
Relates to the crimes of fraud in connection with a primary election, caucus or convention, and criminal impersonation in the first degree where a person pretends to be an elected official or candidate for an elected office and acts by impersonating such an elected official, or candidate or campaign for such an elected office, by communication by internet website or electronic means, with intent to obtain a benefit or injure or defraud another; requires social media companies to establish practical mechanisms for closing accounts within twenty-four hours of receiving notice that such account involves either such crime; authorizes the state board of elections chief enforcement counsel to investigate allegations or claims of such crimes, including subpoena powers and to issue cease and desist orders to the relevant social media companies upon proof of such impersonation or fraudulent or wrongful act.
Last Action
referred to election law
1/5/2022