NY S09297

Adds Penal Law Section 145.26 (aggravated cemetery desecration in the second degree) and Section 145.27 (aggravated cemetery desecration in the first degree) to the list of "specified offenses" under Penal Law Section 485.05 for hate crime purposes.

Allows prosecutors to charge enhanced hate crime penalties when aggravated cemetery desecration offenses are committed with intent to commit a crime motivated by bias based on protected characteristics.

Includes two separate amendment provisions to Section 485.05 to account for other recent changes to penal law made by Chapter 55 of the Laws of 2024.

Takes effect immediately, with provisions contingent on when related sections of Chapter 55 of the Laws of 2024 become effective.