Bill > S06081

This bill, known as the "Homeless Protection Act," amends the Penal Law and the Executive Law to designate offenses against homeless persons as hate crimes. The key provisions of the bill include: 1. Adding "homelessness" to the list of protected characteristics, such as race, color, national origin, ancestry, gender, gender identity or expression, religion, religious practice, age, disability, and sexual orientation, under which a person can commit a hate crime. 2. Requiring the Division of State Police, in cooperation with other agencies, to collect, maintain, analyze, and publicly report statistical and other information related to hate crimes against homeless persons, including demographic data of victims and offenders. 3. The bill takes effect immediately upon enactment.