Bill > A09416

This bill amends the New York Penal Law to increase the severity of criminal offenses involving assault against police and peace officers. The bill creates a new section of law (120.05-a) that specifically defines assault on a police or peace officer as a class C felony when a person intentionally prevents an officer from performing a lawful duty by using an animal to obstruct the officer's activity and causes physical injury. The bill also modifies existing sections of law related to assault, changing the classification of certain offenses: assault on a peace officer, police officer, firefighter, or emergency medical services professional causing serious physical injury is elevated from a class C to a class B felony, and aggravated assault upon a police or peace officer using a deadly weapon is increased from a class B to a class A felony. Additionally, the bill updates language throughout the sections 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 services personnel by imposing more significant criminal penalties for assault-related offenses against them. The bill will take effect on the first of November following its passage into law.

Housing and Urban Affairs

https://www.nysenate.gov/legislation/bills/2025/A9416