Establishes the "Malcom X unsolved civil rights crime act"; requires the assistant attorney of the civil rights bureau to investigate violations of criminal civil rights statutes that occurred not later than December thirty-first, nineteen seventy-nine, and resulted in a death.
NEW YORK STATE ASSEMBLY MEMORANDUM IN SUPPORT OF LEGISLATION submitted in accordance with Assembly Rule III, Sec 1(f)
BILL NUMBER: A8108
SPONSOR: Vanel TITLE OF BILL:
An act to amend the executive law, in relation to establishing the
"Malcolm X unsolved civil rights crime act of 2025"; making an appropri-
ation therefor; and providing for the repeal of such provisions upon
expiration thereof
PURPOSE OR GENERAL IDEA OF BILL:
This bill would require the New York State Attorney General to annually
conduct a study of unsolved civil rights cases of crimes committed not
later than December 31, 1979; and provide funds for local and state law
enforcement to pursue investigations of civil rights crimes committed
not later than December 31, 1979.
SUMMARY OF SPECIFIC PROVISIONS:
Section 1: Title.
Section 2: Legislative findings and purpose.
Section 3: Civil Rights Investigations. Require an annual study.
Section 4: Funding
Section 5: Effective date.
JUSTIFICATION:
In early February 2020, Manhattan District Attorney Cyrus Vance, Jr.
announced he is reopening the investigation of the murder of the civil
rights leader MalColm X, which occurred on February 21, 1965 at the
Adubon Ballroom in New. York City. This new investigation is in the wake
of the Netflix six-part documentary series, "Who Killed Malcolm X?"
This bill is modelled on the federal law known as the Emmett Till
Unsolved Civil Rights Crimes Reauthorization Act of 2016. There are .
numerous unsolved civil rights crimes going back many decades. This bill
seeks justice for the victims of these crimes by requiring the New York
State Attorney General to annually conduct a study 'of unsolved civil
rights cases of crimes committed not later than December 31, 1979, and
to provide funds for local and state law enforcement to pursue investi-
gations of civil rights crimes.
PRIOR LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:
01/28/21 referred to governmental operations
01/05/22 referred to governmental operations
01/26/23 referred to governmental operations
01/03/24 referred to governmental operations
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS:
$3 million annually
EFFECTIVE DATE:
This act shall take effect immediately and shall expire and be deemed
repealed twelve years after such date.
