Bill > S01450

This bill modifies New York's penal law to create two new criminal offense levels for purchasing and selling body armor: first and second degree. Under the second-degree offenses, a person who is not in an "eligible profession" (such as a police officer or peace officer) can be charged with a class A misdemeanor for purchasing or selling body armor to someone outside these authorized professions. The first-degree offenses, which are classified as class E felonies, apply when an individual has a previous conviction for the second-degree offense within the past ten years. The bill specifically clarifies that military service members who are issued body armor as part of their service are exempt from these restrictions, but members of the unorganized militia are not considered an eligible profession. The legislation aims to more strictly regulate body armor purchases and sales to prevent potential misuse while maintaining exceptions for professionals who require protective equipment in their work.

Housing and Urban Affairs

https://www.nysenate.gov/legislation/bills/2025/S1450