Bill > S00283

This bill modifies New York's existing hate crime law to expand the definition of hate crimes to include offenses committed against law enforcement officers based on their actual or perceived employment status. Specifically, the bill amends the penal law to add "employment as a law enforcement officer" as a protected characteristic when determining whether a crime was committed with a discriminatory intent. This means that if someone intentionally targets or commits a crime against a law enforcement officer specifically because they are a police officer, it can now be classified as a hate crime. Additionally, the bill adds "making graffiti" (section 145.60 of the penal law) to the list of specified offenses that can be considered hate crimes. The law clarifies that merely proving the race, color, national origin, or employment status of the defendant or victim does not by itself constitute sufficient legal evidence of a hate crime. This change aims to provide additional legal protections for law enforcement officers and recognize attacks against them as potentially motivated by bias.

Housing and Urban Affairs

https://www.nysenate.gov/legislation/bills/2025/S283