Padavan, Senate Pass "Granny's Law"

 The New York State Senate today provided final legislative passage of legislation that would significantly increase and strengthen criminal penalties for attacks and assaults on senior citizens. Senator Frank Padavan (Queens) served as a lead co-sponsor of the legislation (S.6979) which passed with bipartisan support. 

 The legislation was introduced last year and passed the Senate following the attacks within the same day on Queens residents 101-year-old Rose Morat and 85-year-old Solange Elizee. Despite support in the state Senate and throughout the state, the Assembly failed to act on the legislation until earlier this month.

 “It is not OK to attack anyone-ever! It’s definitely not OK to attack any part of our population that for whatever reason can not defend themselves, especially seniors,” Senator Frank Padavan (Queens) said. “Preying on the elderly is despicable and senseless. Last year the brutal muggings of my constituents Rose Morat and Solange Elizee sparked outrage across the nation and illustrated the need for stronger state laws to combat crimes against the elderly.”

Padavan continued, “This legislation, once signed into law, will provide stronger criminal penalties and put any cowardly delinquent who attacks a senior citizen in prison.” 

 Currently, it is a Class A misdemeanor to cause physical hard to another person. Under the legislation passed in the Senate today, the assault of a person sixty-five years or older when the perpetrator is more than ten years younger than the victim would be increased to assault in the second degree. The crime would become a Class D felony punishable by up to seven years in prison.

 The bill now awaits the Governor’s approval.