Senator Bonacic Acts to Protect Corrections Officers and PEF Employees

(Albany, NY)- Senator John J. Bonacic (R/C/I-Mt. Hope) issued the following statement on the passage of Senate Bill 1900 (S1900). The bill, which Bonacic sponsored, would protect correctional employees by amending section 240.32 of the Penal Law which, would add saliva to the already existing list of fluids and adds intentionally expectorating to the list of actions. S1900 would provide that such behavior would be classified as aggravated harassment of an employee. A previous version of this legislation passed the Senate in 2014.

 “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.”

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