Mark's Law, a bill that was named after a Cape Vincent emergency medical technician killed in the line of duty in 2009, won't pass the state Assembly in this legislative session, said Assemblywoman Addie J. Russell, D-Theresa.

The bill was not reported out of a committee, meaning it won't make it to the Assembly floor for a vote. Today is the last day of the legislative session.

Mark's Law, named for Mark B. Davis, would allow prosecutors to charge the killers of first-responders with first-degree murder, which is currently only available in cases where police officers are killed.

Unwillingness to open up a politically sensitive issue that could have ramifications on the death penalty stalled the measure in the Assembly, Mrs. Russell said.

The bill could be brought up again for consideration in a special session later this year.

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