NY S07737

Expands the definition of "specified offenses" for hate crime prosecution by adding 20+ criminal statutes, including gang assault, criminal obstruction of breathing, aggravated murder, labor trafficking, making graffiti, jostling, sex trafficking, falsely reporting incidents, endangering child welfare, and various weapons possession offenses.

Repeals subdivision 3 of section 240.30 (aggravated harassment in the second degree) and creates two new bias-based crimes: bias harassment in the first degree (class E felony) and bias harassment in the second degree (class A misdemeanor).

Establishes bias harassment in the second degree as a new misdemeanor crime when a person strikes, shoves, kicks, or subjects another to physical contact because of their race, color, national origin, ancestry, gender, gender identity or expression, religion, religious practice, age, disability, or sexual orientation.

Renames "aggravated harassment in the first degree" to "bias harassment in the first degree" and maintains existing provisions for damaging religious premises, displaying swastikas or nooses, and setting fires to crosses.

Takes effect immediately upon enactment.