New York A 3133: Relates to the issuance of distinctive license plates for members of veterans organizations

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A03133 Summary:

BILL NOA03133 

&nbsp

SAME ASNo Same As

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SPONSORDinowitz

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COSPNSRBerger, Paulin, Rozic, Stern, Lasher, Eichenstein, Hevesi, Kay, Yeger, Levenberg, Glick, Steck,
 Buttenschon, Lavine, Weprin, Carroll P, Sayegh, Novakhov, Pheffer Amato, Brown E, Brook-Krasny,
 Colton, Williams, Brabenec, Blumencranz, Slater

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MLTSPNSR

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Add §240.12, amd §240.30, Pen L

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Establishes masked harassment when a person wears a mask or other face covering that intentionally hides or conceals their face for the primary purpose of menacing or threatening another person or placing another person or group of persons in reasonable fear for their physical safety.

Go to top A03133 Actions:

BILL NOA03133 

&nbsp

01/23/2025referred to codes

01/07/2026referred to codes

Go to topA03133 Committee&nbspVotes:

Go to topA03133 Floor&nbspVotes:

There are no Assembly votes for this bill in this legislative session.

Go to topA03133 Text:

 STATE OF NEW YORK
 ________________________________________________________________________

 3133

 2025-2026 Regular Sessions

 IN ASSEMBLY

 January 23, 2025
 ___________

 Introduced by M. of A. DINOWITZ, BERGER -- read once and referred to the
 Committee on Codes

 AN ACT to amend the penal law, in relation to the crime of masked
 harassment and aggravated harassment

 The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assem-
 bly, do enact as follows:

 1 Section 1. Legislative intent. During the COVID-19 pandemic, when
 2 masks became essential for public health reasons, many anti-masked
 3 harassment laws across the country were suspended, modified, or in New
 4 York state's case, completely repealed.
 5 The original intent behind these late 19th and early 20th century laws
 6 - to prevent masked individuals and groups from engaging in public
 7 intimidation or violence - remains wholly relevant today. New York
 8 state currently faces a new era of masked harassment and intimidation.
 9 Individuals who are targeting others with violence and intimidation are
 10 using masks and other face coverings as a tool to place their targets in
 11 fear of physical harm. This anti-masked harassment legislation would
 12 reinstate an anti-masked harassment law in New York following its
 13 repeal because of public health considerations during the COVID-19
 14 pandemic, and has been modified to address these health and safety
 15 concerns.
 16 The recent insurrection at the U.S. Capitol in 2021, is a quintessen-
 17 tial example of how individuals who threaten and intimidate their
 18 targets have worn masks to place others in fear for their physical safe-
 19 ty, including during the commission of violent criminal acts. Masked
 20 actors, like the KKK in the past, frequently rely on their anonymity to
 21 intimidate, provoke violence, and carry out acts of terrorism.
 22 Anti-masked harassment laws can serve as an effective deterrent
 23 against such identity-based violence.
 24 In the effort to continue to uphold free speech protections enshrined
 25 in the U.S. and New York Constitutions -- while also protecting the

 EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
 [ ] is old law to be omitted.
 LBD02066-05-5

 A. 3133 2

 1 safety of all New Yorkers -- this legislation acknowledges that masks
 2 are worn for many lawful purposes, including to protect one's health and
 3 safety or for religious reasons, and accordingly provides appropriate
 4 carveouts.
 5 This measure is not only a legal necessity, but a moral imperative to
 6 ensure the rights of all New Yorkers are protected to the fullest extent
 7 of the law. With this legislation, New York will send a clear message:
 8 masked harassment and violence will not be tolerated in our state.
 9 § 2. The penal law is amended by adding a new section 240.12 to read
 10 as follows:
 11 § 240.12 Masked harassment.
 12 1. A person is guilty of the crime of masked harassment when such
 13 person wears a mask or other face covering that intentionally hides or
 14 conceals their face for the primary purpose of menacing or threatening
 15 violence against another person or placing another person or group of
 16 persons in reasonable fear for their physical safety.
 17 2. It shall not constitute an offense of masked harassment under this
 1