New York 2025-2026 Regular Session

New York Senate Bill S01361

Introduced
1/9/25  
Refer
1/9/25  

Caption

Establishes the crime of disruption of an online public meeting when a person with intent to cause public inconvenience, annoyance or alarm, without lawful authority, and acting through a computer service, such person disturbs any lawful assembly or meeting of persons open to the public conducted through a computer service; makes such crime a class B misdemeanor.

Summary

S01361 would amend New York’s Penal Law to create a new offense called “disruption of an online public meeting.” Under the bill, a person commits the crime when, with intent to cause public inconvenience, annoyance, or alarm and without lawful authority, they use a computer service to disturb a lawful public meeting or assembly conducted online. The measure is aimed at conduct such as intentional interference with virtual government meetings, public hearings, or other meetings open to the public. The bill classifies the offense as a class B misdemeanor and states that it does not limit prosecution under existing disorderly conduct laws or any other applicable offense. It would take effect immediately upon enactment. In practical terms, the bill would add a specific criminal penalty for disruptive conduct in online public forums, expanding the Penal Law to address conduct that occurs in virtual meeting spaces rather than only in physical gatherings.

Impact

The bill would add a new section to the Penal Law, section 240.20-a, creating a standalone misdemeanor offense for disrupting online public meetings. This would give prosecutors a specific charge to use against individuals who intentionally interfere with public meetings held through computer services, while leaving existing disorderly conduct and related offenses available as alternatives. The affected parties would include participants in virtual public meetings, public bodies and agencies that conduct meetings online, and law enforcement and prosecutors responsible for enforcing the new provision.

Sentiment

Based on the bill text and available context, the measure appears to be framed as a public-order and meeting-integrity bill, with an emphasis on protecting lawful online public assemblies from intentional disruption. No committee transcript or vote record is available here, so there is no documented debate or recorded support/opposition to gauge legislative sentiment. The overall tone of the bill itself is straightforward and punitive, suggesting a policy preference for deterring disruptive behavior in virtual civic spaces.

Contention

The main potential point of contention is whether a new criminal offense is necessary when existing disorderly conduct and other laws may already cover disruptive behavior. Supporters would likely argue that online public meetings present unique enforcement gaps and deserve explicit protection, while critics may worry about overcriminalization, vague application to speech or protest activity, or the risk of using misdemeanor charges against contentious but nonviolent participants. Another possible issue is how broadly terms like “disturbs” and “computer service” could be interpreted in practice.

Companion Bills

No companion bills found.

Previously Filed As

NY S01454

Establishes the crime of disruption of an online public meeting when a person with intent to cause public inconvenience, annoyance or alarm, without lawful authority, and acting through a computer service, he or she disturbs any lawful assembly or meeting of persons open to the public conducted through a computer service; makes such crime a class B misdemeanor.

NY A00196

Enacts the "dialogue and decorum act" which establishes the crime of disruption or disturbance of a lawful assembly; makes such crime an unclassified misdemeanor.

NY A10785

Designates the crime of disruption or disturbance of a religious service, funeral, burial or memorial service as disruption or disturbance of a religious service, funeral, burial or memorial service in the second degree and adds the crime of disruption or disturbance of a religious service, funeral, burial or memorial service in the first degree as a class E felony.

NY A10645

Relates to the publication of information on public meetings; requires the office of information technology services to develop a mobile application and website to publish information on every public meeting held by a state or local public body; requires public bodies to report such meetings to the office of information technology services.

NY SB1205

Relating to the provision of certain public benefits and services to persons not lawfully present in the United States.

NY SB251

Requiring county boards ensure their meetings are open to public through in-person attendance and broadcast live on their websites

NY A11053

Provides that a person is guilty of assault in the second degree when such person recklessly or with intent to cause physical injury to another person causes physical injury to another person in any place, conveyance, or vehicle used for public transportation or public transit; provides that a person is guilty of assault in the first degree when with intent to cause serious physical injury to another person such person causes such injury to such other person in any place, conveyance, or vehicle used for public transportation or public transit.

NY HB662

Increase penalty for disturbing a lawful meeting in certain cases

NY HB4712

Relating to an annual report by the comptroller of public accounts on the fiscal impact to this state of persons not lawfully present.

NY S09658

Establishes a private right of action for any person whose personally identifying information was intentionally disclosed by another individual, without consent, for the purpose of harassing, threatening, intimidating, or causing harm to such person, or with reckless disregard as to whether such disclosure would cause such harm; defines personal information.

Similar Bills

No similar bills found.