S T A T E O F N E W Y O R K
________________________________________________________________________
6568
2021-2022 Regular Sessions
I N A S S E M B L Y
March 19, 2021
___________
Introduced by M. of A. EPSTEIN -- read once and referred to the Commit-
tee on Codes
AN ACT to amend the penal law, in relation to the use of pepper spray by
police officers and peace officers
THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK, REPRESENTED IN SENATE AND ASSEM-
BLY, DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS:
Section 1. Section 120.00 of the penal law is amended to read as
follows:
§ 120.00 Assault in the third degree.
A person is guilty of assault in the third degree when:
1. With intent to cause physical injury to another person, he causes
such injury to such person or to a third person; or
2. He recklessly causes physical injury to another person; or
3. With criminal negligence, he causes physical injury to another
person by means of a deadly weapon or a dangerous instrument[.]; OR
4. A POLICE OFFICER, PEACE OFFICER, OR OTHER PUBLIC SERVANT WHO IS
AUTHORIZED TO MAKE AN ARREST FOR A CRIMINAL OFFENSE INTENTIONALLY OR
RECKLESSLY USES PEPPER SPRAY ON AN INDIVIDUAL THAT IS NOT BEING LAWFULLY
ARRESTED OR USES PEPPER SPRAY OTHER THAN PURSUANT TO ARTICLE THIRTY-FIVE
OF THIS CHAPTER. ANY USE OF PEPPER SPRAY AS CROWD CONTROL SHALL CONSTI-
TUTE A VIOLATION OF THIS SECTION, AND EACH INDIVIDUAL AFFECTED SHALL
CONSTITUTE A SEPARATE INCIDENCE OF ASSAULT IN THE THIRD DEGREE.
Assault in the third degree is a class A misdemeanor.
§ 2. This act shall take effect immediately.
EXPLANATION--Matter in ITALICS (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD10258-01-1