Resolution calling on the New York State Legislature to pass, and the Governor to sign, S.901, in relation to assault in the second degree of an operator or crew of a passenger commuter ferry

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Res. No. 93 ..Title Resolution calling on the New York State Legislature to pass, and the Governor to sign, S.901, in relation to assault in the second degree of an operator or crew of a passenger commuter ferry ..Body By Council Members Hanks, Louis, Hankerson, J. Sanchez and Morano Whereas, The safety and protection of transit workers is paramount to the successful operation of New York City's public transportation system; and Whereas, Transit workers across various sectors of New York City's transportation network, including bus and train operators, are afforded the protection of a Class D felony charge against the perpetrator in the event they are assaulted while performing their official duties; and Whereas, Despite the critical role they play in ensuring the safe and efficient transportation of commuters, workers aboard the Staten Island Ferry and other fast ferries operating within New York Harbor do not have similar legal protections, leaving them vulnerable to assault while performing their duties; and Whereas, The Staten Island Ferry and fast ferries, which connect commuters between vital hubs such as bus terminals and subway stations are integral to New York City's transit infrastructure; and Whereas, Ferry workers, including operators and crew members, participate in maintaining public safety and order during ferry operations, which can be challenging due to the large volume of passengers and unpredictable behaviors; and Whereas, The absence of a Class D felony charge for assault on ferry workers creates a disparity in the protection of transit workers, as individuals who assault ferry operators and crew members are only charged with assault in the third degree - a misdemeanor charge, which does not carry the same level of accountability or deterrence as a Class D felony charge; and Whereas, This discrepancy undermines the safety of ferry workers and fails to provide them with the protections afforded to their counterparts in other transit sectors; and Whereas, In order to address this disparity and ensure that ferry workers are adequately protected, S.901 sponsored by New York State Senator Monica Martinez, amends the New York State Penal Law to include the intentional assault of a passenger commuter ferry operator or crew member within the scope of assault in the second degree, a Class D felony; and Whereas, S.901 would provide ferry workers with the same level of legal protection that other transit workers receive, thereby promoting fairness and equality in the treatment of New York City's essential transit workforce; and Whereas, The passage of S.901 would help strengthen New York's transit worker protections and provide a necessary deterrent against assaults on ferry operators and crew members, contributing to the overall safety and well-being of the workforce; and Whereas, This legislation aligns with the ongoing efforts to ensure that all transit workers, regardless of their specific role or mode of transportation, are afforded the same protections while performing their duties in public service; now, therefore, be it Resolved, That the Council of the City of New York calls on the New York State Legislature to pass, and the Governor to sign, S.901, in relation to assault in the second degree of an operator or crew of a passenger commuter ferry. CMB LS #19514 Res. #0885-2025 1/5/2026 4:27 PM 2

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