Gov. Andrew Cuomo has signed two new laws that raise the penalty for assaulting public workers on the job. 

The first bill applies to workers with the New York City Housing Authority and the second protects school crossing guards anywhere in the state. 

The amended penalties, from a misdemeanor assault to a violent felony, give those public workers similar protections as police officers, firefighters, paramedics, nurses, emergency room staff, school employees and city sanitation workers.

 

The law goes into effect in 30 days for NYCHA employees and on Nov. 1 for crossing guards.