Senator Saland’s Legislation To Protect Teachers And School Personnel Passes The Senate

Senator Steve Saland(R,C Poughkeepsie) today announced that his legislation(S.3168) to protect teachers and school personnel from injury has passed the Senate. Under current law if a teacher or school employee is the victim of harassment it is not considered assault if there is not sufficient injury caused. Suprisingly this even includes some cases where trauma is sustained or medical attention is required after a victim was kicked or punched.

This legislation (S.3168) would create a Class B misdemeanor punishable by up to six months in jail. Presently this type of attack is treated only as a violation.

"It makes sense that those who cause an injury requiring medical attention should face more significant penalties than our present law allows," said Senator Saland. "This law will help protect teachers and school employees by deterring this kind of abusive conduct that currently can result in physical injury with little or no consequence for such misconduct."

The legislation will now be sent to the Assembly.