NY A04211

Amends Penal Law Section 460.10 to define "criminal street gang" as an ongoing organization of three or more persons with an identifiable name or symbol engaged in criminal activity.

Defines "criminal street gang member" as a person meeting two or more criteria including admission of membership, identification by reliable informant, adoption of gang dress or symbols, multiple arrests with gang members, or identification by law enforcement or family members.

Creates new Penal Law Section 460.65 making criminal street gang recruitment on school grounds a Class D felony, prohibiting coercion, solicitation, recruitment, or inducement to join or remain in a gang on school grounds.

Defines "school grounds" to include buildings, athletic fields, and playgrounds within school property boundaries, plus any publicly accessible areas within 1,000 feet of school boundaries including sidewalks, streets, parking lots, parks, stores, and restaurants.

Amends Highway Law to authorize political subdivisions to place "gang free school zone" signs on highways within school grounds upon request of school authorities.