Criminal charges for people who assault transit workers will be expanded under a new law approved Monday by Gov. Kathy Hochul. 

The measure backed by state Sen. Leroy Comrie and Assemblywoman Vivian Cook, will cover an additional 11,000 transit workers in New York who could be the victims of harassment or assault by charging people with second-degree assault. 

"During the pandemic, our transit workers were heroes, showing up while everyone was staying home — putting not only their health and the health of their families at risk, but also risking their lives as subway crime increased," Hochul said. "New York's transit workers have always been there for us and now it is our job to be there for them. No one should be subjected to physical violence or harassment in the workplace, and today we are taking an important step in protecting the men and women who keep our subways and buses running."

The measure will expand criminal charges for attacking or assaulting transit workers like ticket collectors, maintenance workers, cleaners and station customer assistants. Labor leaders cheered the law's approval, calling it a provision that will act as a deterrent against assaults amid concerns over crime and safety in and around mass transit systems. 

"This legislation is needed to serve as a deterrent to those who think it's okay to attack a transit worker," said ATU Local 1056 President Mark Henry. "This is a tool for prosecutors to use to fully prosecute those that attack transit workers. We thank the Legislature and Governor Hochul for recognizing transit workers with these protections."