N.Y. Penal Law Section 490.50
Criminal use of a chemical weapon or biological weapon in the second degree

A person is guilty of criminal use of a chemical weapon or biological weapon in the second degree when he or she uses, deploys, releases, or causes to be used, deployed, or released, any chemical weapon or biological weapon, with intent to:

1.

cause serious physical injury to, or the death of, another person; and

2.

(a) intimidate or coerce a civilian population;

(b)

influence the policy of a unit of government by intimidation or coercion; or

(c)

to affect the conduct of a unit of government by murder, assassination, or kidnapping. Criminal use of a chemical weapon or biological weapon in the second degree is a class A-II felony.

Source: Section 490.50 — Criminal use of a chemical weapon or biological weapon in the second degree, https://www.­nysenate.­gov/legislation/laws/PEN/490.­50 (updated Sep. 22, 2014; accessed Feb. 28, 2026).

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Verified:
Feb. 28, 2026

Last modified:
Sep. 22, 2014

§ 490.50. Crim. use of a chemical weapon or biological weapon in the second degree's source at nysenate​.gov

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