BILL NUMBER: S8599
SPONSOR: SUTTON
 
TITLE OF BILL:
An act to amend the penal law, in relation to certain crimes of inter-
ference with health care services or religious worship
 
PURPOSE:
This bill would prohibit groups from demonstrating within 25 feet of a
reproductive health care facility or place of worship.
 
SUMMARY OF PROVISIONS:
Section 1: Amends Penal Law § 240.70 to expand the offense of criminal
interference by prohibiting protesting within a twenty-five-foot buffer
zone around reproductive health care facilities and places of religious
worship.
Section 2: Amends Penal Law § 240.71 to update the first-degree offense
so that it incorporates access to places of religious worship consistent
with the provisions in § 240.70.
Section 3: Sets the effective date.
 
JUSTIFICATION:
New York State has seen a sustained increase in hate crimes over recent
years, with religious bias consistently among the leading motivations.
Incidents targeting religious minorities have increased significantly,
as these trends highlight the vulnerability of individuals as they
approach places of worship. It is clear now more than ever that legis-
lation is needed to address these alarming trends and safeguard an indi-
vidual's freedom to worship.
This bill seeks to amend Section 240.70 to safeguard religious freedom
and promote public safety by ensuring that access to reproductive health
care facilities and places of religious worship remain safe and unob-
structed. By prohibiting demonstrations within twenty-five feet of these
locations, the bill reduces the risk of intimidation, harassment, and
conflict, allowing patients, providers, and worshippers to enter and
exit freely. The buffer zone creates a necessary safeguard that
preserves public peace while accommodating the right to peacefully
assemble.
 
FISCAL IMPACT ON THE STATE:
None
 
LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:
New bill
 
EFFECTIVE DATE:
This act shall take effect on the sixtieth day after it shall have
become a law.

Statutes affected:
S8599: 240.71 penal law