Bill > S05167

This bill amends the New York State Penal Law to expand the definition of assault in the second degree to explicitly include assaults against airport employees. Specifically, the bill adds flight crew members, flight attendants, terminal cleaners, cabin cleaners, facilities cleaners, wheelchair assist employees, baggage handlers, skycaps, ticket agents, customer service employees, security guards, queue management employees, shuttle bus drivers, and any employees working on the airport tarmac to the list of protected workers. Under this legislation, if someone intentionally causes physical injury to these airport workers while they are performing their assigned duties or duties directly related to airport services in New York State, the assault would be considered a second-degree assault. This change provides additional legal protection for airport workers by classifying attacks against them during the course of their work as a more serious criminal offense. The bill will take effect 90 days after becoming law, giving time for law enforcement and judicial systems to prepare for the updated statute.

Housing and Urban Affairs

https://www.nysenate.gov/legislation/bills/2025/S5167