Bill > S00901

This bill amends the New York State penal law to specifically include operators and crew members of passenger commuter ferries as protected individuals under the assault in the second degree statute. The bill expands the existing legal protections that currently cover various transit and public service workers, such as train operators, bus drivers, ticket inspectors, station agents, and emergency medical personnel. By adding passenger commuter ferry operators and crew to this list, the legislation makes it a more serious criminal offense to intentionally cause physical injury to these maritime transportation workers while they are performing their assigned duties. The change means that anyone who deliberately injures a passenger commuter ferry operator or crew member during the course of their work could face enhanced criminal penalties under the assault in the second degree charge. The bill defines passenger commuter ferry using a reference to a specific subdivision in the tax law and will take effect immediately upon becoming law.

Housing and Urban Affairs

https://www.nysenate.gov/legislation/bills/2025/S901