Bill > S05390

This bill amends the New York Penal Law to increase the offense classifications for assault crimes involving police and peace officers. Specifically, the bill creates a new section (120.05-a) that establishes assault in the second degree on a police or peace officer as a class C felony, which occurs when someone intentionally prevents an officer from performing a lawful duty by means such as releasing or failing to control an animal that obstructs the officer's activity. The bill also modifies existing sections of the penal law to change the classification of other assault offenses against officers: assault on a peace officer, police officer, firefighter, or emergency medical services professional is elevated from a class C to a class B felony, and aggravated assault upon a police or peace officer is increased from a class B to a class A felony. Throughout the bill, language is updated to be more gender-neutral, replacing terms like "he or she" with "such person" or "they." The changes aim to provide stronger legal protections for law enforcement and emergency service professionals by imposing more severe penalties for assaults committed against them while performing their duties.

Housing and Urban Affairs

https://www.nysenate.gov/legislation/bills/2025/S5390