SEN. FARLEY ANNOUNCES SENATE PASSES BILLS TO PROTECT NEW YORKERS FROM TERRORIST ACTIVITY

State Senator Hugh T. Farley (R, C, I – Schenectady) reported that he and his colleagues in the New York State Senate passed four bills to protect New Yorkers from several types of terrorist and criminal activities. The legislation strengthens the state’s existing laws dealing with cyberterrorism, terrorist recruitment, financial support for terrorist activities, and threats rooted in terrorism that are made against police officers. 

Cyberterrorism is a pervasive and rapidly expanding threat, with New York State particularly at risk due to its status as a global hub of international business and commerce. Bill S3404 would create a new crime for when a person intends to cause widespread financial harm or commits a larceny offense against more than 10 people using a computer or related technology. It also prohibits the use of cyberterrorism to cause mass injury or damage, or to intimidate, coerce, or influence a civilian population or government.

Bill S2942 would increase criminal penalties for soliciting or providing support for an act of terrorism. One of the biggest sources of funding for terrorist organizations is through money laundering and credit card fraud and this measure would help deter and penalize those who financially support terrorism.

Terrorist organizations are in a perpetual search to recruit new members both in the United States and abroad. Bill S455 would help prevent and punish those who engage in recruitment activity to get new members that will carry out terrorist acts. The measure creates the crime of terrorism recruitment when a person recruits, solicits, requests, commands, importunes or otherwise attempts to cause another person to engage in terrorist activities.

 As communities throughout the country work to identify and prevent attacks, terrorist threats and violence have frequently targeted police officers. In January, a police officer in Philadelphia was shot by a man claiming to support ISIS, followed by a terrorist threat to harm NYPD officers. Last month, another two New York cops were injured by a man with suspected terrorist ties.

Bill S5349 would strengthen existing penalties by creating a new crime when a terrorist threat is made against a police officer.

The bills will be sent to the Assembly.