Bill > A01478

This bill amends New York's penal law to create new criminal offenses specifically targeting the stalking of police officers and peace officers. The legislation establishes three distinct degrees of stalking a police or peace officer: third degree (a class E felony), second degree (a class D felony), and first degree (a class C felony). In the third degree, stalking occurs when a person intentionally and without legitimate purpose engages in a course of conduct directed at a specific police or peace officer (or their immediate family) that is likely to cause reasonable fear of harm or materially impact their mental or emotional health. Second-degree stalking can occur if the person commits third-degree stalking against multiple officers, has a prior conviction of a specified predicate crime, or intentionally engages in conduct likely to cause fear of physical injury or serious consequences. First-degree stalking is charged when the person causes physical injury to the officer or commits certain sexual or violent offenses in the course of stalking. The bill also updates the definition section of the penal law to include these new stalking offenses and expands the list of specified predicate crimes. By creating these specific protections for law enforcement officers, the legislation aims to provide enhanced legal recourse and deterrence against targeting police and peace officers through stalking behavior.

Housing and Urban Affairs

https://www.nysenate.gov/legislation/bills/2025/A1478