BILL NUMBER: S1361
SPONSOR: SERRANO
 
TITLE OF BILL:
An act to amend the penal law, in relation to establishing the crime of
disruption of an online public meeting
 
PURPOSE OR GENERAL IDEA OF BILL:
To increase penalties associated with disrupting a public meeting when
the intent is to cause public inconvenience, annoyance or alarm, without
lawful authority, acting through a commuter service.
 
JUSTIFICATION:
The current public health crisis has increased the use of online video
communications. These platforms have been used for a variety of profes-
sional and personal reasons including teleconferencing, telecommuting,
distance education, and social relations. There has been a national
crisis of individuals disrupting a variety of meetings from online Town
Halls to virtual classrooms. This bill would classify the disruption of
an online public meeting as a class B misdemeanor.
 
PRIOR LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:
2020: S.8942- Referred to Rules
2021-22: S.1492 - Referred to Codes
2023-24: S.1454 - Referred to Codes
 
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS:
None
 
EFFECTIVE DATE:
This act shall take effect immediately.