Gov. Signs Assault Bill

Governor Kathy Hochul today signed legislation designed to protect more transit workers from assaults, culminating a campaign Transport Workers Union Local 100 spearheaded in Albany.
 
The bill authorizes stiffer charges and penalties for individuals who assault transit workers with duties that include repairing, inspecting, and maintaining equipment, like subway tracks, turnstiles, and buses. Several of the more public-facing titles like Train Conductor, Train Operator, Bus Operator, Station Agent and Cleaner already were covered by state criminal law, which enables police and prosecutors to charge assailants who seriously injure transit workers with second-degree felony assault.
 
"During the pandemic, our transit workers were heroes, showing up while everyone was staying home — putting not only their health and the health of their families at risk, but also risking their lives as subway crime increased," Gov. Hochul said. "New York's transit workers have always been there for us and now it is our job to be there for them. No one should be subjected to physical violence or harassment in the workplace, and today we are taking an important step in protecting the men and women who keep our subways and buses running."
 
Local 100 President Tony Utano encouraged key leaders of the Legislature to support the bill, supplementing the efforts of Local 100’s Political Action team.
 
“Transit workers come to work to do a job, not wind up in the emergency room,” Utano said in a press release issued by the Governor’s office.  “We deserve respect from riders and the from the law. Thank you, Gov. Hochul, and members of the state Legislature, for recognizing that assaults against transit workers are an ongoing problem that needs to be addressed. This is a step in the right direction. Prosecutors and judges must now do their job and hold people accountable for their actions.”
 
The law authorizes a sentence of up to 7 years in prison for intentionally causing physical injury, which is defined as “impairment of physical condition or substantial pain.”
 
Media coverage of the Bill signing can be found in the link below: