Gov. Kathy Hochul signed several bills into law regarding public safety on the streets and anti-violence programs for youth, her office announced Tuesday.

One piece of legislation amends state law to classify removal or threat of removal of religious clothing, such as a yarmulke or hijab, as aggravated harassment in the second degree. This comes as a result of multiple incidents in the last year where someone’s religious clothing has been threatened in acts of hateful violence.

Another law will allow anti-violence educational programs to receive funding from the Omnibus School Violence Prevention Grant program. Newly-eligible programs would provide evidence-based trauma support for at-risk youth, group counseling and anti-violence education.

Finally, the governor signed "Detective Brian Simonsen's Law,” which aims to crack down on cell phone theft by requiring wireless service providers disable services to stolen wireless phones. The law is named after Detective Brian Simonsen, a NYPD officer who lost his life in 2019 while responding to an armed robbery at a cell phone store.

“Public safety is my top priority, and I'm committed to using every possible tool to keep New Yorkers safe,” Hochul said in a statement. “The data is clear: New York has gotten safer since I took office in 2021, but there is more to do to stop hate and prevent violence in our communities. Signing these bills today will create three new laws to help protect New Yorkers and further reduce crime.”