S T A T E O F N E W Y O R K
________________________________________________________________________
6986
2025-2026 Regular Sessions
I N S E N A T E
March 27, 2025
___________
Introduced by Sen. HARCKHAM -- read twice and ordered printed, and when
printed to be committed to the Committee on Codes
AN ACT to amend the penal law, in relation to penalties for assault and
menacing of child protective services workers
THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK, REPRESENTED IN SENATE AND ASSEM-
BLY, DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS:
Section 1. The penal law is amended by adding a new section 120.08-a
to read as follows:
§ 120.08-A ASSAULT ON A CHILD PROTECTIVE SERVICES WORKER.
A PERSON IS GUILTY OF ASSAULT ON A CHILD PROTECTIVE SERVICES WORKER
WHEN, WITH INTENT TO PREVENT AN EMPLOYEE OF A LOCAL SOCIAL SERVICES
DISTRICT DIRECTLY INVOLVED IN INVESTIGATION OF OR RESPONSE TO ALLEGED
ABUSE OR NEGLECT OF A CHILD FROM PERFORMING SUCH INVESTIGATION OR
RESPONSE, THE ACTOR CAUSES SERIOUS PHYSICAL INJURY TO SUCH EMPLOYEE
INCLUDING BY MEANS OF RELEASING OR FAILING TO CONTROL AN ANIMAL UNDER
CIRCUMSTANCES EVINCING THE ACTOR'S INTENT THAT THE ANIMAL OBSTRUCT THE
LAWFUL ACTIVITIES OF SUCH EMPLOYEE.
ASSAULT ON A CHILD PROTECTIVE SERVICES WORKER IS A CLASS C FELONY.
§ 2. The penal law is amended by adding a new section 120.08-b to read
as follows:
§ 120.08-B AGGRAVATED ASSAULT ON A CHILD PROTECTIVE SERVICES WORKER.
A PERSON IS GUILTY OF AGGRAVATED ASSAULT ON A CHILD PROTECTIVE
SERVICES WORKER WHEN, WITH INTENT TO PREVENT AN EMPLOYEE OF A LOCAL
SOCIAL SERVICES DISTRICT DIRECTLY INVOLVED IN INVESTIGATION OF OR
RESPONSE TO ALLEGED ABUSE OR NEGLECT OF A CHILD FROM PERFORMING SUCH
INVESTIGATION OR RESPONSE, THE ACTOR CAUSES SERIOUS PHYSICAL INJURY TO
SUCH EMPLOYEE BY MEANS OF A DEADLY WEAPON OR DANGEROUS INSTRUMENT.
AGGRAVATED ASSAULT ON A CHILD PROTECTIVE SERVICES WORKER IS A CLASS B
FELONY.
§ 3. The penal law is amended by adding a new section 120.18-a to read
as follows:
EXPLANATION--Matter in ITALICS (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD11370-01-5
S. 6986 2
§ 120.18-A MENACING A CHILD PROTECTIVE SERVICES WORKER.
A PERSON IS GUILTY OF MENACING A CHILD PROTECTIVE SERVICES WORKER WHEN
SUCH PERSON INTENTIONALLY PLACES OR ATTEMPTS TO PLACE AN EMPLOYEE OF A
LOCAL SOCIAL SERVICES DISTRICT DIRECTLY INVOLVED IN INVESTIGATION OF OR
RESPONSE TO ALLEGED ABUSE OR NEGLECT OF A CHILD IN REASONABLE FEAR OF
PHYSICAL INJURY, SERIOUS PHYSICAL INJURY OR DEATH BY DISPLAYING A DEADLY
WEAPON, KNIFE, PISTOL, REVOLVER, RIFLE, SHOTGUN, MACHINE GUN OR OTHER
FIREARM, WHETHER OPERABLE OR NOT, WHERE SUCH EMPLOYEE WAS IN THE COURSE
OF PERFORMING THEIR OFFICIAL DUTIES.
MENACING A CHILD PROTECTIVE SERVICES WORKER IS A CLASS D FELONY.
§ 4. This act shall take effect immediately.