Bill > S04777

This bill amends the New York penal law to create a specific criminal offense related to intentionally exposing first responders to saliva. The new provision makes it illegal for an individual to deliberately spit, throw, toss, or expel saliva onto a first responder (including correction officers) with the intent to harass, annoy, threaten, or alarm them. By adding this provision to section 240.30 of the penal law, the bill creates a clear legal mechanism to protect first responders from this type of offensive and potentially dangerous behavior. The language specifically requires that the perpetrator knows or should reasonably know that the victim is a first responder, and that the action is done with a harmful intent. The bill takes effect immediately upon enactment, providing immediate legal recourse for such actions against first responders.

Housing and Urban Affairs

https://www.nysenate.gov/legislation/bills/2025/S4777