New York Governor Kathy Hochul announced a $254 billion budget deal that includes a new criminal charge for individuals who wear masks while committing crimes. This charge can only be applied if the suspect is also charged with a class A misdemeanor or more serious offense, but lawmakers agreed to reduce it to a class B misdemeanor when separate crimes are prosecuted. The initiative initially included stricter measures but was softened after concerns from Democrat lawmakers and civil liberty advocates. The budget also proposes involuntary commitment for mentally ill individuals unable to meet basic needs and includes measures like a stronger state discovery law and banning cell phone use during school hours. The budget is set to be the highest in state history, reflecting increased spending on prisons, healthcare, childcare, and education.

Governor Kathy Hochul's $254 billion budget deal introduces a new charge for those wearing masks while committing crimes, applicable only if charged with a class A misdemeanor or more serious offenses.

Lawmakers agreed to reduce the mask penalty to a class B misdemeanor for separate crimes, addressing initial concerns over harsher penalties proposed by the governor.

The proposal was initially stricter, aimed at addressing mask-wearing during crimes amidst nationwide protests, but was softened due to feedback from Democratic lawmakers and civil liberty advocates.

The budget includes provisions for involuntary commitment of mentally ill individuals unable to meet basic needs, lowering the previous standard that required a physical threat to self or others.

Additional proposals in the budget target recidivism with a stronger discovery law and aim to ban students' cell phone use during school hours.

The budget, set to be the largest in state history, reflects increased spending in areas such as prisons, healthcare, childcare, and education, contributing to a $100 billion increase over the past decade.

Though the budget has been announced, lawmakers still need to finalize spending decisions on key issues, including public school funding and Medicaid allocations.