(Albany, NY)- Senator John J. Bonacic (R/C/I-Mt. Hope) issued the following statement on the passage of his legislation – S.1900, which would protect correctional employees by enhancing penalties when inmates intentionally expectorate on Correction Officers. S1900 would provide that such behavior would be classified as aggravated harassment of an employee, a Class E Felony. A previous version of this legislation passed the Senate in 2014 and 2015.

 “I am proud to sponsor this bill, which would provide some additional protections to employees of correctional facilities,” said Bonacic. “Working in corrections is a dangerous job, and this legislation goes a long way to safeguard the brave men and women who serve in these facilities. By prohibiting the tossing, throwing, expelling and expectorating of any bodily fluid, the men and women serving in our corrections facilities will know that the inmates will face further criminal prosecution if they decide to act in this way, and not risk the spread of infectious disease caused by these things. The Assembly must pass this bill now.”

 The bill will now go to the Assembly for a vote.