Bill > A03990

This bill amends the New York State Penal Law in two key ways. First, it expands the definition of "public place" to explicitly include community centers with a religious affiliation, which broadens the scope of where certain offenses against public order can be prosecuted. Second, the bill adds "placing a false bomb or hazardous substance in the first degree" to the list of specified offenses that can be considered for hate crime designations. This means that if someone deliberately places a fake bomb or hazardous substance at a location with the intent to cause fear or disruption, and the action is motivated by bias against a particular group, it could be prosecuted as a hate crime. The amendments are designed to provide clearer legal protections for religious community centers and to more comprehensively address potentially threatening behaviors that target specific communities. The bill will take effect immediately upon becoming law.

Housing and Urban Affairs

https://www.nysenate.gov/legislation/bills/2025/A3990