Bill > A08592

This bill establishes two new criminal offenses related to recklessly endangering emergency service personnel during building alterations or emergencies. The bill defines an "emergency service person" broadly to include firefighters, police officers, peace officers, emergency services professionals, code enforcement officers, fire inspection personnel, and building inspectors. Reckless endangerment in the second degree occurs when someone knowingly alters a building without a required permit in violation of fire prevention or building codes in a way that impedes evacuation and results in injury to an emergency service person, which is classified as a class E felony. Reckless endangerment in the first degree is a more serious class D felony and applies when the second-degree offense either results in the death of an emergency service person or is committed by someone who has a prior conviction for a similar offense within the past ten years. The law aims to protect emergency workers by creating specific criminal penalties for dangerous and unauthorized building modifications that compromise safety during emergencies.

Housing and Urban Affairs

https://www.nysenate.gov/legislation/bills/2025/A8592