S 7721 New York Senate · 2025 Regular Session

Establishes a private right of action for deed theft

Summary

Establishes a private right of action for deed theft; provides that victims of deed theft may maintain an action against a deed thief or a bank that provides a loan that assists in the commission of deed theft; authorizes victims of deed theft to recover actual damages, treble damages and attorneys' fees; defines terms.

Bill status in committee 1 of 4 stages cleared

Introduction

May 2025

Committee Review

Floor Vote

Governor

Introduced May 1, 2025 Last action Jun 5, 2026

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What changed between versions

S7721 → S7721A · 5 edits

MODERATE

The bill was amended to expand the list of sponsors and significantly rewrite the legal definitions and remedies for 'deed theft.' The changes broaden the scope of protected property to include specific residential types and securities, update the definition of financial institutions from 'banks' to 'lenders,' and introduce a new exemption for high-value commercial transactions. Additionally, the damages structure was altered to allow recovery of actual damages alongside treble damages.

Scope change

The bill's scope was expanded to cover a wider range of residential property types and securities, while simultaneously creating an exemption for high-value commercial transactions exceeding six million dollars.

DEFINITION

The term 'Bank' was replaced with 'Lender' to broaden the definition of financial institutions subject to the law, and 'Deed theft' was updated to include 'unfair, deceptive or abusive acts or practices.'

New definitions were added for 'Covered property' (specific residential types and securities) and 'High-value experienced commercial transaction' (transactions over $6 million involving licensed professionals).

EXEMPTIONS

A new provision explicitly excludes private lawsuits for deed theft in high-value experienced commercial transactions.

REMEDIES

The remedies section was restructured to allow victims to recover both actual damages and treble damages from violators, rather than limiting specific damage types to specific defendants.

ELIGIBILITY

The list of bill sponsors was expanded from one senator to nine senators.

Floor votes

How they voted

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Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions

Key actions

Committee

Amendments

Jun 5, 2026

Committee

COMMITTED TO RULES

upper

May 14, 2026

Upper · Passed

AMENDED 7721A

upper

Jan 7, 2026

Committee

REFERRED TO JUDICIARY

upper

May 1, 2025

Committee

REFERRED TO JUDICIARY

upper

1 primary · 15 co-sponsors