New York Governor Kathy Hochul signed legislation on Wednesday that criminalizes fake COVID-19 vaccination cards.
The new law makes falsifying a COVID-19 vaccination card a class A misdemeanor and is punishable by up to one year in jail or three years probation, coupled with a $1,000 fine.
The bill also creates a new felony of "computer tampering in the third degree for intentional entering, alteration or destruction of 'computer material' regarding COVID-19 vaccine provisions," according to Hochul's office.
"Individuals who misrepresent their vaccination history, not only jeopardize their own health, but the health of all those they come into contact with. This legislation ensures that as New York opens up and many businesses choose to rely on checking vaccination status, the falsification of vaccination records will not be tolerated," according to a news release from Hochul's office.
Fake vaccination cards have been seen for sale on many online marketplaces like Amazon, eBay, and Facebook.
It was already a federal crime to fake a vaccination card, as the FBI reminded people in March through a public service announcement that it's a crime to "replicate the unauthorized use of an official government agency's seal, specifically the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention seals."
"The remarkable ease at which it appears that New Yorkers could falsify vaccination records to feign compliance is astonishing. This new law will undoubtedly help prosecutors and other law enforcement hold people accountable for the damage they are doing to public health," state Assembly member Jeffrey Dinowitz said.
With COVID-19 cases rising across the country due to the omircron variant, more and more cities are mandating proof of vaccination to enter indoor spaces like a restaurant or entertainment event.
"The 'Truth in Vaccination' law will serve as a strong deterrent to prevent people from lying about their vaccination status, protecting public health, and ensuring our economic recovery can move forward," state senator Anna M. Kaplan said in a statement.
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