BILL NUMBER: S535
SPONSOR: MARTINS
 
TITLE OF BILL:
An act to amend the penal law, in relation to removing the deadly weapon
or dangerous instrument requirement from aggravated assault upon a
police officer or peace officer
 
PURPOSE:
To remove undue requirements for the prosecution against individuals who
assault a police or peace officer. Summary of Provisions:
Section 1. Amends section 120.11 of the penal law, as amended by chapter
283 of the laws of 1993. Section 2. effective date.
 
JUSTIFICATION:
One of the most important responsibilities of a police or peace officer
is to keep residents safe. New York State has been plagued by an epidem-
ic of violence against these important public servants. The flames of
this crisis have been fanned by many factors ranging from bail reform,
the migrant crisis and anti-police rhetoric. To help address this trou-
bling trend, this bill empowers prosecutors by allowing them to charge
crimipaiS with a class B felony without a deadly weapon or dangerous
instrument being used in the assault.
 
LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:
S.8856; referred to Codes
 
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS:
None
 
EFFECTIVE DATE:
This act shall take effect immediately

Statutes affected:
S535: 120.11 penal law