BILL NUMBER: S8873
SPONSOR: RHOADS
 
TITLE OF BILL:
An act to amend the penal law, in relation to enacting the "first
responders assault prevention act"
 
PURPOSE:
To amend the penal law in relation to enacting the "first responders
assault prevention act."
 
SUMMARY OF PROVISIONS:
Section 1. Short title. This act shall be known and may be cited as the
"first responders assault prevention act".
§ 120.08 Assault on a peace officer, police officer, firefighter or
emergency medical service professional.
Assault on a peace officer, police officer, firefighter or emergency
medical services professional is a class B felony. Class B felony
offenses included in this bill. Class C offenses included in this bill.
§ 4. This act shall take effect on the first of November next succeeding
on the date upon which it shall have become law.
 
JUSTIFICATION:
This bill would expand existing protections to first responders and
emergency service personnel. It would also recognize the rising assaults
on paramedics, firefighters, and emergency medical service profes-
sionals. This bill would send a clear signal that violence against any
first responder will face serious consequences. The intent of this
legislation is to prevent emergency service operators from being
attacked while they are performing their duties, and it is needed due to
the rising threat of first responders being randomly attacked by indi-
viduals. This bill is needed due to emergency service personnel being
the ones who protect and save people in their communities, and they
deserve the same level of protection as well.
 
LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:
New bill.
 
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS:
None.
 
EFFECTIVE DATE:
This act shall take effect on the first of November next succeeding on
the date upon which it shall have become law.

Statutes affected:
S8873: 120.08 penal law