NY S00283

Adds "actual or perceived employment as a law enforcement officer" as a protected category under New York's hate crime statute, alongside existing categories like race, religion, gender, and sexual orientation

Crimes intentionally committed against someone because they are or are believed to be a law enforcement officer would qualify for enhanced hate crime penalties

Adds "making graffiti" (section 145.60 of the penal law) to the list of specified offenses that can be prosecuted as hate crimes when motivated by bias

Clarifies that proof of the defendant's or victim's law enforcement employment alone does not constitute sufficient evidence to meet the prosecution's burden for a hate crime charge

Takes effect immediately upon passage