What's happening
Writing a plain-English summary… Track this bill to get it by email.
Why it matters
Albany, before your first meeting.
Every bill that moved yesterday, summarized in a sentence and ranked by impact. The Albany Scorecard follows on Sundays.
Free. Unsubscribe in one click. Want alerts on specific bills? Create an account.
Who cares
Headline styles
Sponsors
1 Co-sponsor
History
- Referred to codes
- Referred to codes
Companion bill
The same bill in the other chamber. A bill becomes law when one version passes both houses and the governor signs it, so either number can carry it.
Enhances the criminal penalties for assaulting employees of a local social services district while in the performance of their duties
In Assembly Committee · Codes · Sponsor Peter Rivera
Full text
The text isn't available here yet. Check nysenate.gov.
Sponsor's memo
Title of bill
An act to amend the penal law, in relation to enhancing the criminal penalty for assaulting employees of a local social services district
Summary of provisions
This bill would add a subsection to Penal Law §120.05, entitled Assault in the Second Degree, specifying that any act constituting a misdemeanor assault in the third degree pursuant to Penal Law §120.00 would be elevated to a class D non-violent felony offense if committed against any local social services district employee while in direct contact with the public performing an assigned duty providing, or directly related to providing, public assistance and care.
Justification
Local social services district employees working directly with their customers in the provision of benefits, assistance, and services are public servants on the front line of government's effort to protect and care for those in need. In New York City, this includes employees who work for the Administration for Children's Services, the Department of Homeless Services, and the Human Resources Administration. Unfortunately, assaults to such employees are not uncommon, and occasionally do result in injury or more serious misfortune. Current law provides for enhanced criminal assault penalties to protect police officers, firefighters, paramedics, emergency room workers, school employees, and specific transit personnel, but does not extend such protection to employees providing the public with other social services. Local social services district employees require and deserve the same level of protection provided by a felony charge that would deter clients and other members of the public from the use of physical force to injure, threaten, or intimidate.
Prior legislative history
2007-2008: S.5991 - Referred to Rules, Referred to Codes, Passed Senate
Fiscal implications
None.
Effective date
90 days after it becomes law.
Summaries, headlines and scores are AI-generated from the official bill text. How we score bills. Source: NYS Open Legislation.