Establishes the bystander protection act which increases the punishment for an offense when a member of the public is harmed, but the intended target.

The bystander protection act amends the penal law by adding a new section that increases the punishment for any offense committed against a person during the commission of another offense, where a public official is the intended target. Public officials include the governor, state legislators, state officers and employees, and municipal officers and employees. The act defines a public official as someone in these roles. The increased punishment is the next highest classification of offense for which the person committing the offense was convicted.

Establishes the bystander protection act which increases the punishment for an offense when a member of the public is harmed, but the intended target.

The bystander protection act amends the penal law by adding a new section that increases the punishment for any offense committed against a person during the commission of another offense, where a public official is the intended target. Public officials include the governor, state legislators, state officers and employees, and municipal officers and employees. The act defines a public official as someone in these roles. The increased punishment is the next highest classification of offense for which the person committing the offense was convicted.