Bill > A08854

This bill amends New York's penal law to expand the definition of assault in the second degree to include assaults against highway workers, motor vehicle investigators, and motor vehicle inspectors. Specifically, the legislation adds these new categories of workers to the existing list of protected professionals, making it a more serious criminal offense to intentionally cause physical injury to them while they are performing lawful work-related duties. The bill defines these new protected worker categories in detail: a highway worker is broadly described as someone employed by state, county, local, or utility entities who works on highways or within highway rights-of-way; a motor carrier investigator is an employee of the transportation department assigned to investigate regulated motor carriers; and a motor vehicle inspector is a transportation department employee assigned to inspect regulated motor vehicles. By expanding the scope of assault protections, the bill aims to provide additional legal safeguards for workers in transportation-related fields who may be at risk of workplace violence. The changes will take effect 90 days after the bill becomes law, giving state agencies and law enforcement time to prepare for the new provisions.

Housing and Urban Affairs

https://www.nysenate.gov/legislation/bills/2025/A8854