Bill > S04620

This bill amends the New York State Penal Law to expand the definition of hate crimes to include offenses targeting law enforcement officers, firefighters, and emergency medical services personnel based on their profession. Specifically, the bill adds "employment as a law enforcement officer, a firefighter or as emergency medical services personnel" as a protected category when determining whether a crime was motivated by bias. The bill provides detailed definitions for these professional categories, including active and retired city or state law enforcement officers, sheriffs, correctional officers, firefighters (both regular and volunteer), and emergency medical services personnel (such as first responders and emergency medical technicians). The expanded definition means that if someone commits a specified criminal offense and intentionally selects the victim because of their profession as a law enforcement officer, firefighter, or emergency medical services worker, it can now be classified as a hate crime. The bill emphasizes that mere proof of the victim's profession does not automatically constitute a hate crime, but rather requires evidence that the offense was specifically motivated by the victim's professional status. This amendment aims to provide additional legal protections for these public service professionals by recognizing potential bias-motivated crimes against them.

Housing and Urban Affairs

https://www.nysenate.gov/legislation/bills/2025/S4620