This bill amends the existing law on endangering an injured victim to explicitly include the act of encouraging another person to cause bodily injury through filming, photographing, or otherwise recording the injury-causing act. The new legal language clarifies that such actions constitute a crime of endangering an injured victim, which is classified as a third-degree crime. This classification typically carries penalties of three to five years of imprisonment, fines up to $15,000, or both.

The bill aims to address the growing concern over bystanders who record violent incidents without providing assistance, particularly in light of recent assaults against Asian Americans in New York City. The current law already penalizes individuals who encourage others to inflict bodily harm and subsequently leave the scene while knowing the victim is unable to care for themselves. By incorporating the act of recording into the definition of endangering an injured victim, the bill seeks to deter such behavior and promote a more responsible response to witnessing violence.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 2C:12-1.2