Bill > S03118

This bill expands the legal definition of assault in the second degree under New York's penal law to include specific acts of physical violence against employees of domestic violence shelters and individuals seeking services at or residing in such shelters. The bill creates two new scenarios for second-degree assault: first, intentionally causing physical injury to a shelter employee while they are performing their lawful duties on shelter grounds or within 500 feet of the shelter, and second, intentionally causing physical injury to a person seeking services or residing in a domestic violence shelter with the intent to prevent them from accessing the shelter's grounds, property, or building. By adding these provisions, the bill aims to provide additional legal protection for domestic violence shelter workers and the vulnerable individuals they serve, treating attacks on these persons in certain contexts as a more serious form of assault. The law would take effect on the first of November following its enactment.

Housing and Urban Affairs

https://www.nysenate.gov/legislation/bills/2025/S3118