WHITE PLAINS, NY – Responding to a series of incidents of theft and vandalism at area houses to worship during the recent holiday season, State Senator Jeff Klein (D-Westchester/Bronx) will be joined by community religious leaders to introduce legislation to increase penalties for vandalism to or theft from a house of worship. Klein’s legislation (S.6439), which is being supported by the Anti-Defamation League, the Catholic Conference and the Catholic League for Religious and Civil Rights, would elevate the crime of theft from or vandalism to a house of worship from a misdemeanor to a Class E felony, which carries a sentencing recommendation of up to 1 ¼ to 4 years in jail.