New York Senate Bill S06842

New York 2025-2026 Regular Session

• Introduced: 3/25/25
• Refer: 3/25/25
• Refer: 1/7/26

Caption

Provides protections against anti-Semitism in the human rights law and the hate crimes statute.

Summary

This bill would amend New York’s Executive Law and Penal Law to add an explicit definition of anti-Semitism to the state human rights law and to treat certain anti-Semitic acts that lead to violence, injury, or property damage as hate crimes. It also broadens the definition of “creed” in the human rights law to include a wide range of religious beliefs and observances, while specifically stating that protections apply to anti-Semitism as well as other forms of religious discrimination. The bill directs the Division of Human Rights and courts to consider the new anti-Semitism definition when investigating, adjudicating, or reviewing claims involving discrimination based on Jewish religious practice, ancestry, or ethnic characteristics. It also states that conduct motivated by anti-Semitic intent can be considered in determining whether a violation occurred under the human rights law. The measure includes a constitutional savings clause stating that it should not be read to diminish rights protected by the New York Constitution or the First Amendment.

Impact

If enacted, the bill would change the Executive Law’s human rights provisions by adding statutory definitions and enforcement guidance related to anti-Semitism, and it would amend the Penal Law hate-crime provisions to expressly include anti-Semitic conduct that results in violence, injury, or property damage. This would affect the standards used by the Division of Human Rights and courts in discrimination cases, and it would provide a clearer basis for hate-crime treatment in cases involving anti-Jewish bias. The bill would also expand the statutory language around religious creed protections more generally.

Sentiment

The bill’s stated purpose is strongly protective of Jewish individuals and communities, and the findings section reflects a forceful concern about anti-Semitism on campuses, in public life, and in acts of violence. Based on the bill text, the overall sentiment is supportive of stronger civil-rights and criminal-law responses to anti-Semitic conduct. No committee transcript or vote data was provided, so there is no recorded legislative debate or roll-call sentiment to assess beyond the bill’s own framing.

Contention

The main point of potential contention is the bill’s use of a detailed statutory definition of anti-Semitism, including references to Israel and allegations of dual loyalty, which could raise concerns about how discrimination law would be applied in speech-related or political contexts. The bill attempts to address those concerns by stating that it does not diminish rights protected by the New York or U.S. Constitutions, but critics could still question whether the definition is overbroad or could chill protected expression. Supporters, by contrast, would likely emphasize the need for clearer enforcement tools against anti-Jewish harassment, intimidation, and violence.