New York Assembly Bill A02269

New York 2025-2026 Regular Session

• Introduced: 1/16/25
• Refer: 1/16/25
• Refer: 1/7/26

Caption

Relates to aggravated harassment of an employee by an incarcerated individual; eliminates the requirement that an incarcerated individual causes or attempts to cause an employee to come into contact with blood, seminal fluid, urine, feces, saliva, or the contents of a toilet bowl by throwing, tossing or expelling such fluid or material.

Summary

Bill A02269 seeks to amend the penal law regarding aggravated harassment of employees by incarcerated individuals. The bill eliminates the requirement that the harassment must involve the act of throwing, tossing, or expelling bodily fluids or materials. Instead, it allows for broader interpretations of harassment that could encompass various forms of threatening or alarming behavior directed at employees of correctional facilities and related institutions.

Impact

If enacted, the bill would expand the scope of what constitutes aggravated harassment by removing specific actions that must be demonstrated. This change could lead to increased prosecutions for harassment in correctional settings, potentially impacting the legal landscape surrounding the treatment of incarcerated individuals and the protections afforded to employees in these environments.

Sentiment

The sentiment around Bill A02269 appears to be mixed, with a majority of the Assembly Codes Committee voting in favor of holding it for consideration, indicating some level of support. However, the presence of dissenting votes suggests that there are concerns regarding the implications of the bill, particularly in relation to the rights of incarcerated individuals.

Contention

Notable points of contention include the potential for the bill to be perceived as overly punitive towards incarcerated individuals, with critics arguing that it may lead to unjust consequences for actions that could be interpreted broadly. Supporters, on the other hand, emphasize the need to protect employees in correctional facilities from harassment and threats.