Bill > S00296

This bill amends the New York State Penal Law to elevate assault against a code enforcement official to a class D felony. Specifically, the legislation modifies existing law by adding "code enforcement official" to the list of protected professionals who, if intentionally obstructed from performing their lawful duties through physical injury or by releasing/failing to control an animal, would result in a more serious criminal charge. The bill changes the language from using gendered pronouns like "he or she" to the more neutral term "the actor" when describing the perpetrator. Code enforcement officials are typically municipal employees responsible for ensuring compliance with local building, safety, and zoning regulations. By adding them to this section of the penal law, the bill provides enhanced legal protection for these professionals and establishes that intentionally assaulting them while they are performing their official duties is now considered a class D felony, which carries more significant potential penalties than a lower-level assault charge. The bill is set to take effect on the first day of November following its passage into law.

Housing and Urban Affairs

https://www.nysenate.gov/legislation/bills/2025/S296