STATE OF NEW YORK OUTLAWS DISPLAY OF NOOSE AS MEANS OF INTIMIDATION

by Patricia Schaeffer, Vice President-Regulatory Affairs

Governor David A. Paterson has signed a bill into law that will allow criminal punishment of threats made through the display of nooses. The bill classifies the display of a noose to harass or threaten a bias victim as a felony punishable by up to four years in prison. The governor noted, however, that the legislation contains flaws that still need to be addressed.