New York 2025-2026 Regular Session

New York Senate Bill S04244

Introduced
2/3/25  
Refer
2/3/25  

Caption

Defines photographing (whether by still or moving pictures) persons entering or leaving reproductive health care services facilities as aggravated harassment in the third degree; exempts constitutionally protected conduct and activities regulated by certain federal labor laws.

Summary

Bill S04244 amends the New York penal law to define the act of photographing individuals entering or leaving facilities that provide reproductive health care services as aggravated harassment in the third degree. The bill introduces new definitions for 'reproductive health care services' and 'facility,' clarifying the types of services and locations covered under this law. It establishes that such harassment is classified as a class B misdemeanor, thereby imposing legal consequences for those who engage in this behavior.

Impact

The passage of this bill would enhance protections for individuals seeking reproductive health care services by criminalizing the act of photographing them without consent. This change in the penal law aims to deter harassment and ensure a safer environment for patients and providers at these facilities. It also clarifies the legal definitions surrounding reproductive health care, which may influence future legal interpretations and enforcement of related laws.

Sentiment

The sentiment surrounding Bill S04244 appears to be supportive among advocates for reproductive rights, who view it as a necessary step to protect individuals from harassment. However, there may be concerns from free speech advocates regarding the implications for expressive conduct, although the bill does include exemptions for constitutionally protected activities.

Contention

Notable points of contention may arise from the balance between protecting individuals from harassment and upholding the right to free speech. Some may argue that the bill could potentially infringe on the rights of individuals to peacefully protest or demonstrate outside reproductive health care facilities. The extent to which this bill may affect such activities could be a focal point of debate among lawmakers and advocacy groups.

Companion Bills

No companion bills found.

Previously Filed As

NY A09227

Relates to the definition of "reproductive health services" for purposes of the offense of criminal interference with health care services or religious worship in the second degree; defines "legally protected health activity"; increases the penalties for the criminal interference with health care services or religious worship in the first and second degrees, and for aggravated interference with health care services in the second degree.

NY S08713

Relates to the definition of "reproductive health services" for purposes of the offense of criminal interference with health care services or religious worship in the second degree; defines "legally protected health activity"; increases the penalties for the criminal interference with health care services or religious worship in the first and second degrees, and for aggravated interference with health care services in the second degree.

NY A09127

Includes aggravated threat of mass harm, making a threat of mass harm, aggravated harassment in the second degree, harassment in the first degree, menacing in the third degree, menacing in the second degree, menacing in the first degree, and aggravated harassment in the first degree in being eligible for bail; makes aggravated threat of mass harm and making a threat of mass harm eligible to be considered hate crimes; increases the penalties for aggravated threat of mass harm and making a threat of mass harm.

NY S08599

Relates to certain crimes of interference with health care services or access to places of religious worship; expands interference to include groups of two or more people demonstrating or preparing to demonstrate twenty-five feet outside of reproductive health care facilities and places of religious worship.

NY A09335

Relates to certain crimes of interference with health care services or access to places of religious worship; expands interference to include groups of two or more people demonstrating or preparing to demonstrate twenty-five feet outside of reproductive health care facilities and places of religious worship.

NY S08559

Establishes the crime of aggravated harassment of a rent regulated tenant which occurs when an owner intentionally engages in a systematic ongoing course of conduct to induce three or more rent regulated tenants occupying different housing accommodations in two or more residential buildings to vacate such housing accommodations or if such owner commits the crime of harassment of a rent regulated tenant and was previously convicted of the same crime in the past five years.

NY A09220

Establishes the crime of aggravated harassment of a rent regulated tenant which occurs when an owner intentionally engages in a systematic ongoing course of conduct to induce three or more rent regulated tenants occupying different housing accommodations in two or more residential buildings to vacate such housing accommodations or if such owner commits the crime of harassment of a rent regulated tenant and was previously convicted of the same crime in the past five years.

NY A10819

Includes wearing, carrying, or displaying an emblem, insignia, logo or other symbol of a designated foreign terrorist organization in a public place in a manner reasonably understood to be a threat or act of intimidation directed at a person or group of people as aggravated harassment in the first degree.

NY A973

Expands definition of personal data to include use of reproductive health care services and prohibits collection of reproductive health care prescription drugs from Prescription Monitoring Program.

NY A09061

Relates to creating the crime of aggravated harassment of a survivor of domestic violence or sexual assault.

Similar Bills

No similar bills found.