New York State Assembly and Senate announced the passage of the new fiscal year budget on the 20th, followed by a statement from State Assemblywoman Grace Lee on the 21st. She revealed that her joint proposal, the “Hate Crimes Modernization Act,” has been incorporated into the new fiscal year budget. This act aims to update the 24-year-old hate crime laws by adding 23 new categories of criminal behavior that can be prosecuted as hate crimes, in response to a series of hate crimes occurring in New York.
In her statement, State Assemblywoman Grace Lee emphasized that the “Hate Crimes Modernization Act” (A.8261/S.7737) that she co-proposed with State Senator Brad Hoylman-Sigal and Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg is designed to address hate crimes targeting minority groups, including Asians. The act aims to ensure accountability for perpetrators of hate crimes. Lee expressed gratitude towards Governor Hochul, State Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie, and Senate Majority Leader Stewart-Cousins for their support.
Upon the enactment of the 2025 fiscal year budget, crimes eligible for hate crime prosecution will include first and second-degree gang assaults, improper sexual conduct, second and third-degree rape, forcible touching, sexual abuse, sex trafficking, child sex trafficking, second and third-degree criminal sexual acts, obstruction of breathing or blood circulation, false reporting incidents, among others.
Furthermore, the act includes provisions for providing $30.7 million in funding for non-profit organizations and higher education institutions in the Asian community. Of this amount, $30 million will be allocated to the Equity Budget Coalition to offer cultural and language services in the Asian community, while $350,000 will support the Asian American and Asian Research Institute at the City University of New York (AAARI-CUNY), focusing on researching policies and issues affecting the Asian community. The remaining $350,000 will be used to establish an “Asian Leadership Academy” at the State University of New York (SUNY) to assist individuals in the Asian community in reaching management positions in their careers.