State Senator Hugh T. Farley (R, C, I –Schenectady) reported that he and his colleagues in the New York State Senate recently passed legislation to further protect the men and women who protect our communities from violent criminals. The bills strengthen penalties to help prevent members of the military and law enforcement from being targeted and assaulted while performing their important work.

Bill S4379A creates a new crime for those who assault members of the military or reserves. Similar to the protections afforded to police officers, firefighters, peace officers and emergency medical technicians, the bill would create a Class C felony for those found guilty of targeting and assaulting members of the military and reserves to prevent them from working to protect the public.

Bill S1457  increases the penalties for certain violent offenses involving police or peace officers. The measure addresses the risks consistently violent felons pose to the public by authorizing a sentence of life without parole when a criminal commits an aggravated assault on a police or peace officer and has previously been convicted of two violent felonies that are classified as Class B or greater.

The bills will be sent to the Assembly.