Angelica’s Law Takes Effect on November 1

Law Named after Holbrook Teen Who Was Killed by an Unlicensed Motorist Who Had Multiple Suspensions

By Hank Russell

The state has announced that Angelica’s Law will go into effect, starting November 1. The governor’s office said the law protects New Yorkers against reckless and dangerous driving and helps to keep high-risk drivers off the road by lowering the number of prior license suspensions that can result in felony charges for driving without a valid license.

In February 2023, Assemblyman Fred Thiele (D-Sag Harbor) and state Senator Kevin Thomas (D-Garden City) introduced legislation (S.4671/A.3983) that upgrades the charges on someone of third-degree aggravated unlicensed operation (AUO) of a vehicle and who has had five or more suspensions on five separate dates to first-degree AOU. The Assembly version was co-sponsored by Joe DeStefano (R-Medford) and Thomas’ bill was co-sponsored by Dean Murray (R-Patchogue).

Governor Kathy Hochul signed the law at the Department of Motor Vehicles’ (DMV) Garden City location in December 2023 alongside the family of Angelica Nappi, who was killed in 2008 at just 14 years old when an unlicensed motorist with seven prior suspensions ran a red light on Long Island. The motorist faced only a misdemeanor.

Angelica’s Law decreases from ten to five the number of prior license suspensions needed to qualify for aggravated unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle in the first degree, a class E felony.

“As of November 1, New York’s roads are safer because of this law honoring Angelica Nappi, who was just 14 when a known high-risk driver killed her,” said DMV Commissioner Mark J.F. Schroeder, who chairs the Governor’s Traffic Safety Committee. “More than a decade later, Angelica’s legacy is alive and well, with tangible good emerging from terrible tragedy.”

Angelica’s mother, Dawn Riendeau, said, “Today is a day 16 years in the making. Angelica’s Law brings us one step closer towards creating safer roadways and saving lives. Although there is more work to be done, I am thankful for the progress that was made in memory of my daughter. Thank you, Governor Hochul, for signing this legislation into law.”

In response to that address, the DMV proposed regulatory changes to bolster the ability to remove dangerous drivers from New York’s roadways and make it more difficult for persistent violators to regain their driving privilege. Among the proposed changes: increasing the number of points associated with dangerous driving, decreasing the threshold at which dangerous drivers are disqualified from holding a license, and lowering the bar for permanent license forfeiture for reckless drivers who continue to drive impaired.