Bill > A07865

This bill amends the New York Penal Law to expand the definition of criminal mischief in the third degree by adding a new provision that makes it a criminal offense to intentionally damage another person's property specifically to promote or suppress a political ideology, or as an expression of political ideology. The existing law already defines criminal mischief in the third degree as damaging another person's property valued over $250 without having a right to do so, and this bill adds the new political ideology-related criteria as an additional way to commit the offense. The bill also updates the language to use gender-neutral terms like "they" and "such person" instead of "he or she", and will take effect on the first of November following its passage into law. The legislation appears aimed at addressing property damage motivated by political beliefs, potentially providing law enforcement with a clearer legal basis to prosecute such actions.

Housing and Urban Affairs

https://www.nysenate.gov/legislation/bills/2025/A7865