Assemblyman Fred Thiele Applauds the Enactment Of ‘Angelica’s Law’
December 13, 2023
Assemblyman Fred W. Thiele, Jr. (D-Sag Harbor) joined Governor Hochul, Senator Kevin Thomas and the family of Angelica Nappi in Garden City for a bill signing ceremony enacting “Angelica’s Law” (Chapter #722 of the Laws of 2023) on Tuesday, December 12th.
Thiele sponsored “Angelica's Law”, along with State Senator Kevin Thomas, in memory of a Long Island teenager, Angelica Nappi. Angelica was tragically killed by a driver that was operating a vehicle with seven prior suspensions in 2008.With the bill’s enactment, the Vehicle and Traffic Law is strengthened by reducing to five (5) the number of prior suspensions for moving violations required to qualify for aggravated unlicensed operation in the first degree, a Class E felony.
Assemblyman Thiele stated, "Our public highways, especially on Long Island, can be a dangerous place. Improving highway safety must always be our paramount goal for New York. One of the greatest threats to the public is the proliferation of unlicensed drivers who continue to operate motor vehicles, despite being repeatedly cited for having a suspended or revoked license. Angelica Nappi was a tragic victim of one of these reckless and irresponsible drivers. I thank her mother, Dawn Nappi, for her selfless persistence to insure that other parents do not suffer the tragic loss she has endured. Her advocacy for “Angelica's Law” was compelling to our colleagues in Albany. “Angelica's Law” will provide a meaningful deterrent to the unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle. The new law will reduce the number offenses by half for a felony conviction for aggravated unlicensed operation of a vehicle. I thank Governor Hochul for signing this legislation making our roads less perilous."