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Current as of January 01, 2026 | Updated by Findlaw Staff
A person is guilty of the crime of domestic act of terrorism motivated by hate in the first degree when, acting with the intent to cause the death of, or serious physical injury to, five or more other persons, in whole or in substantial part because of the perceived race, color, national origin, ancestry, gender, gender identity or expression, religion, religious practice, age, disability, or sexual orientation of such other person or persons, regardless of whether that belief or perception is correct, he or she, as part of the same criminal transaction:
1. causes the death of at least one other person, provided that the victim or victims are not a participant in the criminal transaction; and
2. causes or attempts to cause the death of four or more additional other persons, provided that the victims are not a participant in the criminal transaction; and
3. the defendant was more than eighteen years old at the time of the commission of the crime.
Domestic act of terrorism motivated by hate in the first degree is a class A-I felony.
Notwithstanding any other provision of law, when a person is convicted of domestic act of terrorism motivated by hate in the first degree, the sentence shall be life imprisonment without parole.
Cite this article: FindLaw.com - New York Consolidated Laws, Penal Law - PEN § 490.28 Domestic act of terrorism motivated by hate in the first degree - last updated January 01, 2026 | https://codes.findlaw.com/ny/penal-law/pen-sect-490-28/
FindLaw Codes may not reflect the most recent version of the law in your jurisdiction. Please verify the status of the code you are researching with the state legislature before relying on it for your legal needs.
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