Understanding New York's Law on Reporting Burn Injuries and Wounds

New York Penal Code 265.26 requires the reporting of certain burn injuries and wounds to law enforcement within 72 hours. This law was enacted to help authorities investigate crimes involving firearms and explosives. However, some view it as overly broad and burdensome. This article will examine the specifics of the law, its background and purpose, arguments for and against it, penalties for violation, and tips for compliance.

What the Law Says

Penal Code 265.26 states that any case of a burn injury or wound where the victim sustained second or third degree burns to 5% or more of the body, or any burns to the upper respiratory tract or laryngeal edema due to the inhalation of superheated air, must be reported to law enforcement within 72 hours 1 . The report must be made to the office of the sheriff of the county where the burn injury occurred or to the police department of the municipality in which the burn injury occurred. The report must state the name of the injured person, their address, sex, age, and the extent and location of the burns on their body 2 .

Background and Purpose

This statute was enacted in 2000 as part of the comprehensive “Westchester County Firearm Violence Prevention Act.” The goal was to give law enforcement a tool to investigate crimes involving firearms and explosives. The rationale was that certain burn injuries are indicative of the use of these weapons 3 . For example, a gunshot wound from close range may cause powder burns around the entry wound. Certain burns could also result from home explosive devices or arson. Authorities believed requiring burn injuries to be reported would help them identify crimes involving firearms and explosives that might otherwise go undetected 4 .

Pros and Cons of the Law

Arguments in Favor: Helps law enforcement investigate and prosecute violent crimes involving firearms and explosives Encourages the reporting of suspicious burns that could be evidence of a crime Aids in tracking statistics and patterns of gun and explosives-related injuries Arguments Against: Infringes on privacy by requiring the reporting of medical information Burdens hospitals and medical staff with reporting duties Scope is overly broad, capturing burn injuries unlikely to be related to firearms or explosives Potential to deter people from seeking treatment Lack of public awareness about the law

Penalties for Violation

Failure to report a qualifying burn injury or wound is a class A misdemeanor punishable by up to one year in jail and a $1,000 fine 1 5 . Given the relatively minor penalties and lack of public knowledge about the law, enforcement tends to be lax. Prosecutions are rare and usually reserved for cases where the unreported injury was likely tied to a serious crime 4 .

Tips for Compliance

Here are some tips for making sure burn injuries get properly reported as required: Hospitals and medical clinics should educate all staff about the reporting requirement Post information about the law in patient rooms and waiting areas Document burn injuries thoroughly including location, degree, and percentage of body affected Flag any burns that may require reporting under Penal Code 265.26 Report promptly within 72 hours to the appropriate law enforcement agency Inform patients that reporting is required by law and assure them it is being done to help investigate potential crimes, not to invade their privacy If unsure whether a burn meets reporting criteria, err on the side of caution and report it

Debating the Merits of the Law

While New York's burn injury reporting law was passed with good intentions of aiding law enforcement, reasonable arguments have been made both for and against it. Expanding law enforcement powers always requires balancing public safety with individual liberties. On one hand, the reporting of suspicious burns could provide critical leads in cases involving firearms, explosives, arson, and assault. Proponents view the law as a reasonable tool for investigating serious crimes. They downplay privacy concerns since reports only contain basic medical information 3 . On the other hand, critics argue the law goes too far in intruding into personal medical affairs. They point out that most burn injuries have nothing to do with criminal activity. The law unfairly casts suspicion on burn victims who were simply involved in everyday household or workplace accidents. There are also fears the reporting requirement could deter some people from seeking prompt medical treatment 4 . There appears room for compromise such as narrowing the scope to limit required reporting only to burns highly indicative of criminal activity. Additional public outreach could also help improve compliance and understanding of the law's aims. In a free society, the benefits of any mandatory injury reporting law must be balanced against the costs to personal liberty and privacy.

The Bottom Line

While arguably well-intentioned, New York's burn injury reporting law has faced criticism for being overly broad and intrusive. The reality is that most burn injuries result from common accidents, not criminal activity. However, serious burns caused by firearms or explosives may provide critical evidence for investigating violent crimes. Medical professionals have a duty to comply with the letter of the law by reporting qualifying injuries. But patients should also be informed that the reports are intended to combat crimes, not pry into private medical affairs. With understanding and prudent enforcement, the law can strike an appropriate balance between assisting law enforcement while respecting individual privacy.

References

1 NY Penal Law § 265.26: Burn injury and wounds to be reported 2 New York Penal Law Article 265: Firearms and Other Dangerous Weapons 3 Burn injury and wounds to be reported, N.Y. Penal Law § 265.26 4 NY Penal Law 265.26 - Burn injury and wounds to be reported 5 Burn Injury and Wounds Required to be Reported: New York Penal Code § 265.26