NY S03997

Expands the definition of protected professionals in penal law Section 120.05 to include nursing professionals (nurse practitioners, certified nursing assistants, and licensed practical nurses) alongside existing categories like police officers and firefighters

Adds nursing professionals and sanitation workers to the list of workers protected under assault statutes when they are performing assigned duties, particularly in transit operations

Increases criminal penalties for assaults committed with intent to prevent these workers from performing lawful duties or to cause them physical injury

Removes outdated terminology and consolidates references to nursing professionals under a single definition rather than listing individual nursing roles separately

Becomes effective ninety days after enactment into law