Bill > A08993

This bill increases legal protections and penalties for crimes committed against elected officials by expanding existing laws that previously only applied to judges. Specifically, the bill modifies the penal law to create new criminal offenses and enhance penalties for assaulting, stalking, or harassing elected officials, which now carry felony-level charges. The legislation defines "elected official" broadly to include officials from various levels of government, such as town boards, library boards, and school boards. Under the new provisions, if someone intentionally causes serious physical injury to an elected official while trying to prevent them from performing their official duties, they could be charged with assault on an elected official (a class C felony) or aggravated assault on an elected official (a class B felony). The bill also establishes new criminal provisions for stalking an elected official and aggravated harassment of an elected official, with penalties ranging from class D to class E felonies. Importantly, the bill clarifies that legitimate communication with an elected official regarding their public service role is not restricted by these provisions. The law will take effect 90 days after it becomes law, providing a clear timeline for implementation of these enhanced protections for elected officials.

Housing and Urban Affairs

https://www.nysenate.gov/legislation/bills/2025/A8993