NY S00035

Adds aggravated cemetery desecration in the second degree (section 145.26) and aggravated cemetery desecration in the first degree (section 145.27) to the list of "specified offenses" under New York's hate crimes law

Allows prosecutors to charge enhanced hate crime penalties when cemetery desecration is motivated by bias against a victim's race, color, national origin, ancestry, gender, religion, religious practice, age, disability, or sexual orientation

Amends section 485.05 of the penal law, which defines what offenses can be elevated to hate crimes when committed with discriminatory intent

Sponsored by Senators Tedisco, Borrello, Martins, Oberacker, Palumbo, and Weik; referred to the Senate Codes Committee

Takes effect immediately upon passage