NY State Senate Bill 2011-S5602

Archive: Last Bill Status - In Senate Committee Veterans, Homeland Security And Military Affairs Committee

Introduced
- In Committee Assembly
- In Committee Senate
- On Floor Calendar Assembly
- On Floor Calendar Senate
- Passed Assembly
- Passed Senate
Delivered to Governor
Signed By Governor

Please enter your contact information

First Name

Last Name

Email Address

A valid email address is required.

Home address is used to determine the senate district in which you reside. Your support or opposition to this bill is then shared immediately with the senator who represents you.

Optional services from the NY State Senate:

Create an account. An account allows you to officially support or oppose key legislation, sign petitions with a single click, and follow issues, committees, and bills that matter to you. When you create an account, you agree to this platform's terms of participation.

Include a custom message for your Senator? (Optional)

Enter a message to your senator. Many New Yorkers use this to share the reasoning behind their support or opposition to the bill. Others might share a personal anecdote about how the bill would affect them or people they care about.

Actions

View Actions

	Assembly Actions - Lowercase Senate Actions - UPPERCASE
Jan 04, 2012	referred to veterans, homeland security and military affairs
Jun 10, 2011	print number 5602a
Jun 10, 2011	amend (t) and recommit to veterans, homeland security and military affairs
Jun 06, 2011	referred to veterans, homeland security and military affairs

Bill Amendments

Original

A (Active)

co-Sponsors

2011-S5602 - Details

See Assembly Version of this Bill:: A7697
Current Committee:: Senate Veterans, Homeland Security And Military Affairs
Law Section:: General Municipal Law
Laws Affected:: Amd Art 7-A Head, add §149, Gen Muni L; add §13.31, Pks & Rec L

2011-S5602 - Summary

Regulates protests at military funerals.

2011-S5602 - Sponsor Memo

                                BILL NUMBER:S5602

TITLE OF BILL:
An act
to amend the general municipal law and the parks, recreation and
historic preservation law, in relation to requiring permits for
demonstrations at veteran funerals

PURPOSE OR GENERAL IDEA OF BILL:
This bill would authorize municipalities to create a permit system for
demonstrations occurring in the vicinity of a wake, funeral, burial
or memorial service.

SUMMARY OF PROVISIONS:
Sections one and two of the bill would amend General Municipal Law
Article 7-A by adding a new section 149. This section would authorize
local governments to create a permitting system for demonstrations
conducted within one thousand feet of a funeral, memorial service,
wake or burial, including the period one hour before or after such
event.
The bill establishes a civil penalty for violations on state property
and allows a city, town, village or county that, by local law, enacts
a permit requirement to establish a reasonable civil penalty for any
person who is found to have intentionally organized a demonstration
without first acquiring the required permit.

Section three of this bill would authorize the Commissioner of the
State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation to
promulgate regulations to require that a permit be obtained for a
demonstration at a funeral event held on state property. Section four
of this bill would provide for the effective date.

JUSTIFICATION:
In Snyder v. Phelps, 562 U.S. ___ (2011), the U.S. Supreme Court
recognized that persons who protest at funerals of military personnel
have constitutional rights, but also that states have a compelling
interest in protecting the family and friends of deceased military
personnel while they are mourning at such events.

As the Snyder case demonstrates, there are individuals and groups that
seek to use military funerals as a protest vehicle to advance their
ideology. The Snyder court held that the First Amendment protects the
right to express even abhorrent views, but that the expression of
these ideas can be regulated by the states with respect to time,
place and manner.

There is a compelling state interest in preserving and protecting the
mourning families and friends of deceased persons, especially at so
solemn a time as a military funeral.
This bill would authorize the state as well as municipalities to
create a regulated one-thousand-foot zone around such funeral events,
including the wake, funeral service, burial and memorial service. The
parks commissioner would be authorized to require demonstrators to
apply for a permit prior to demonstrating on state property; local
governments, by local law, would be authorized to enact similar


permit requirements for demonstrations conducted in parks and on
public property under the jurisdiction of local governments.

The bill would thus facilitate reasonable and constitutional
regulation of the time, place and manner of such demonstrations, in
recognition of the sensitive circumstances and legitimate needs and
interests of mourning family members, neighbors and friends.

LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:
New Bill.

FISCAL IMPLICATIONS:
Minimal.

EFFECTIVE DATE:
This act shall take effect sixty days after it shall have become a law.

2011-S5602 - Bill Text download pdf

                            
                    S T A T E   O F   N E W   Y O R K
________________________________________________________________________

                                  5602

                       2011-2012 Regular Sessions

                            I N  S E N A T E

                              June 6, 2011
                               ___________

Introduced  by  Sens.  ZELDIN, GRIFFO -- read twice and ordered printed,
  and when printed to be committed to the Committee on  Veterans,  Home-
  land Security and Military Affairs

AN  ACT to amend the general municipal law and the parks, recreation and
  historic preservation law, in relation to requiring permits for demon-
  strations at veteran funerals

  THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK, REPRESENTED IN SENATE AND  ASSEM-
BLY, DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS:

  Section 1. The article heading of article 7-A of the general municipal
law,  as added by chapter 871 of the laws of 1948, is amended to read as
follows:
          BURIAL OF VETERANS AND THEIR FAMILIES; CERTAIN PERMIT
                              REQUIREMENTS
  S 2. The general municipal law is amended by adding a new section  149
to read as follows:
  S  149.  PERMITS  IN  CERTAIN  CIRCUMSTANCES.  1. DEFINITIONS. FOR THE
PURPOSES OF THIS SECTION:
  (A) "DEMONSTRATION" SHALL MEAN A PRE-PLANNED GATHERING  OF  TWELVE  OR
MORE PERSONS WHO ARE INVITED OR ORGANIZED BY AN ORGANIZER TO CONVENE FOR
THE  PURPOSE  OF  A  PUBLIC  EXHIBITION  INCLUDING A PROCESSION, PARADE,
PROTEST, PICKET, MARCH OR RALLY ON PUBLIC PROPERTY CONCERNING AND IN THE
VICINITY OF A FUNERAL EVENT.
  (B) "FUNERAL EVENT" SHALL MEAN A WAKE,  FUNERAL,  BURIAL  OR  MEMORIAL
SERVICE  CONDUCTED  WITHIN THIRTY DAYS AFTER THE DEATH OF THE PERSON WHO
IS THE SUBJECT OF SUCH EVENT.
  (C) "ORGANIZER" SHALL MEAN THE PERSON OR ORGANIZATION  THAT  PLANS  OR
COORDINATES  A DEMONSTRATION FOR WHICH A PERMIT MAY BE REQUIRED PURSUANT
TO THIS SECTION.
  (D) "PERMIT AUTHORITY"  SHALL  MEAN  THE  GOVERNMENTAL  ENTITY  HAVING
PRIMARY JURISDICTION FOR A LOCATION WHICH, IN THE CASE OF:

 EXPLANATION--Matter in ITALICS (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
                      [ ] is old law to be omitted.
                                                           LBD10958-02-1

S. 5602                             2

  (I) A PARK, PARKWAY OR PROPERTY THAT IS SUBJECT TO THE JURISDICTION OF
THE  STATE  UNIVERSITY  OF  NEW  YORK, THE PERMIT AUTHORITY SHALL BE THE
STATE UNIVERSITY OF NEW YORK;
  (II)  A  COUNTY  PARK,  PARKWAY  OR  PROPERTY SHALL BE THE COUNTY PARK
COMMISSION OR SUCH OTHER  COUNTY  AGENCY  HAVING  JURISDICTION,  CONTROL
AND/OR OPERATION OF SUCH PARK, PARKWAY OR PROPERTY;
  (III)  A  CITY PARK, PARKWAY OR PROPERTY SHALL BE THE DULY CONSTITUTED
LICENSING AGENCY THEREOF AND, IN THE ABSENCE OF SUCH AGENCY, SHALL BE AN
OFFICER DESIGNATED BY LOCAL LAW FOR SUCH PURPOSE BY THE LEGISLATIVE BODY
THEREOF;
  (IV) A TOWN PARK, PARKWAY OR PROPERTY OUTSIDE OF THE  TERRITORY  OF  A
VILLAGE, SHALL BE AN OFFICER DESIGNATED BY LOCAL LAW FOR SUCH PURPOSE BY
THE TOWN BOARD THEREOF; AND
  (V) A VILLAGE PARK, PARKWAY OR PROPERTY SHALL BE AN OFFICER DESIGNATED
BY LOCAL LAW FOR SUCH PURPOSE BY THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES THEREOF.
  2.  PERMITS  ISSUED  BY PERMIT AUTHORITY. IN ADDITION TO ANY OTHER LAW
AUTHORIZING PERMITS, ANY PERMIT AUTHORITY MAY, BY  LOCAL  LAW  OR  REGU-
LATION,  REQUIRE THAT A PERMIT BE OBTAINED FOR A DEMONSTRATION THAT WILL
TAKE PLACE WITHIN ONE THOUSAND FEET OF A FUNERAL  EVENT  AND  DURING  OR
WITHIN  ONE  HOUR BEFORE OR AFTER SUCH FUNERAL EVENT.  THE EXISTENCE AND
REQUIREMENTS OF SUCH LOCAL LAW, AND  ANY  RELATED,  LAWFUL  REGULATIONS,
SHALL  BE  PROMINENTLY  POSTED  IN  A  PUBLIC  AREA OF THE OFFICE OF THE
PERMITTING AUTHORITY, AND SHALL ALSO BE POSTED  ON  ANY  WEBSITE  ESTAB-
LISHED  OR  AVAILABLE  FOR THE USE OF THE PERMITTING AUTHORITY OR, IF NO
SUCH WEBSITE IS AVAILABLE, BE POSTED BY ANNUAL PUBLICATION IN A  NEWSPA-
PER OR NEWSPAPERS OF RECORD SERVING THE COMMUNITIES WITHIN THE JURISDIC-
TION OF THE PERMIT AUTHORITY. SUCH LOCAL LAW MAY REQUIRE:
  (A)  AN  ORGANIZER  OF SUCH A DEMONSTRATION SHALL BE REQUIRED TO APPLY
FOR A PERMIT CONCERNING  SUCH  DEMONSTRATION.  SUCH  PERMIT  APPLICATION
PROCESS  SHALL  BE AVAILABLE FOR A REASONABLE PERIOD BEFORE SUCH FUNERAL
EVENT IS ACTUALLY SCHEDULED TO BEGIN.
  (B) UPON THE FILING OF SUCH AN APPLICATION, THE PERMIT AUTHORITY SHALL
PROMPTLY REVIEW SUCH APPLICATION AND, IF THE APPLICATION  SATISFIES  THE
REQUIREMENTS  OF THIS SUBDIVISION AS WELL AS ANY ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS
THE PERMIT AUTHORITY MAY, BY LAWFUL REGULATION, IMPOSE, THEN THE  PERMIT
AUTHORITY  SHALL ISSUE TO THE ORGANIZER A PERMIT UNDER THIS SUBDIVISION.
IN SUCH EVENT, THE PERMIT SHALL SPECIFY, EXPRESSLY AND  IN  DETAIL,  THE
TIME AND PLACE AND ANY LAWFUL RESTRICTIONS THAT MAY BE IMPOSED REGARDING
SUCH  DEMONSTRATION.  IF  SUCH  PERMIT APPLICATION IS DENIED, THE PERMIT
AUTHORITY SHALL ISSUE A WRITTEN DENIAL  THAT  SPECIFIES  IN  DETAIL  THE
MANNER  IN  WHICH THE APPLICATION IS DEFICIENT, TOGETHER WITH THE PROCE-
DURE BY WHICH THE ORGANIZER MAY OBTAIN TIMELY  RECONSIDERATION  OF  SUCH
DETERMINATION UNDER THIS SUBDIVISION.
  (C)  THE  PERMIT  ISSUED  BY A PERMIT AUTHORITY UNDER THIS SUBDIVISION
MAY, IN ACCORDANCE WITH APPLICABLE LAW, SPECIFY REASONABLE  RESTRICTIONS
ON  THE TIME, PLACE AND MANNER OF THE DEMONSTRATION FOR WHICH THE PERMIT
IS ISSUED.
  3. PERMIT REQUIREMENT.  A CITY, TOWN, VILLAGE OR COUNTY THAT, BY LOCAL
LAW, ENACTS A PERMIT REQUIREMENT IN ACCORDANCE WITH SUBDIVISION  TWO  OF
THIS  SECTION  MAY  BY SUCH LAW ESTABLISH A REASONABLE CIVIL PENALTY FOR
ANY PERSON WHO, AFTER PROPER NOTICE AND AN OPPORTUNITY FOR AN  ADJUDICA-
TORY  HEARING,  IS FOUND TO HAVE INTENTIONALLY ORGANIZED AND CONDUCTED A
DEMONSTRATION WITHIN ONE THOUSAND FEET OF A FUNERAL EVENT, WITHOUT FIRST
HAVING OBTAINED A REQUIRED PERMIT IN  ACCORDANCE  WITH  SUCH  LAW.  SUCH
LOCAL LAW MAY INCLUDE AN INCREASED MAXIMUM CIVIL PENALTY FOR A SECOND OR
SUBSEQUENT VIOLATION.

S. 5602                             3

  4.  PUBLIC SAFETY.   THE STATE POLICE POWER AND THAT OF ITS LOCALITIES
MAY BE EMPLOYED TO PROVIDE ADEQUATE PUBLIC SAFETY AND PROTECTION AT SUCH
A FUNERAL EVENT AND THE PROCESSION TO OR FROM SUCH A FUNERAL EVENT.
  S 3. The parks, recreation and historic preservation law is amended by
adding a new section 13.31 to read as follows:
  S  13.31  PERMITS  FOR ACTIVITIES NEAR CERTAIN FUNERAL EVENTS. 1.  FOR
THE PURPOSES OF THIS SECTION:
  (A) "DEMONSTRATION" SHALL MEAN A PRE-PLANNED GATHERING  OF  TWELVE  OR
MORE PERSONS WHO ARE INVITED OR ORGANIZED BY AN ORGANIZER TO CONVENE FOR
THE  PURPOSE  OF  A  PUBLIC  EXHIBITION  INCLUDING A PROCESSION, PARADE,
PROTEST, PICKET, MARCH OR RALLY ON PUBLIC PROPERTY CONCERNING AND IN THE
VICINITY OF A FUNERAL EVENT.
  (B) "FUNERAL EVENT" SHALL MEAN A WAKE,  FUNERAL,  BURIAL  OR  MEMORIAL
SERVICE  CONDUCTED  WITHIN THIRTY DAYS AFTER THE DEATH OF THE PERSON WHO
IS THE SUBJECT OF SUCH EVENT.
  (C) "ORGANIZER" SHALL MEAN THE PERSON OR ORGANIZATION  THAT  PLANS  OR
COORDINATES  A DEMONSTRATION FOR WHICH A PERMIT MAY BE REQUIRED PURSUANT
TO THIS SECTION.
  2. THE COMMISSIONER MAY  PROMULGATE  REGULATIONS  TO  REQUIRE  THAT  A
PERMIT  BE  OBTAINED FOR A DEMONSTRATION THAT WILL TAKE PLACE IN A STATE
PARK, STATE PARKWAY OR OTHER STATE PROPERTY, WITHIN ONE THOUSAND FEET OF
A FUNERAL EVENT, AND DURING OR WITHIN ONE  HOUR  BEFORE  OR  AFTER  SUCH
FUNERAL EVENT. THE EXISTENCE AND REQUIREMENTS OF SUCH LAWFUL REGULATIONS
SHALL  BE PROMINENTLY POSTED IN A PUBLIC AREA OF THE OFFICE OR HEADQUAR-
TERS OF EACH PARK UNDER THE JURISDICTION  OF  THE  STATE  DEPARTMENT  OF
PARKS AND RECREATION AND SHALL ALSO BE POSTED ON ANY WEBSITE ESTABLISHED
OR AVAILABLE FOR THE USE OF THE OFFICE. SUCH REGULATIONS MAY REQUIRE:
  (A)  AN  ORGANIZER  OF  SUCH  A  DEMONSTRATION  TO  APPLY FOR A PERMIT
CONCERNING SUCH DEMONSTRATION PROVIDED, HOWEVER, THAT SUCH PERMIT APPLI-
CATION PROCESS SHALL BE AVAILABLE FOR A REASONABLE  PERIOD  BEFORE  SUCH
FUNERAL EVENT IS ACTUALLY SCHEDULED TO BEGIN.
  (B)  UPON FILING SUCH AN APPLICATION, THE OFFICE SHALL PROMPTLY REVIEW
SUCH APPLICATION AND, IF THE APPLICATION SATISFIES THE  REQUIREMENTS  OF
THIS SUBDIVISION AS WELL AS ANY ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS THE COMMISSIONER
MAY,  BY  LAWFUL  REGULATION, IMPOSE, THEN THE OFFICE SHALL ISSUE TO THE
ORGANIZER A PERMIT UNDER THIS SUBDIVISION. IN  SUCH  EVENT,  THE  PERMIT
SHALL  SPECIFY,  EXPRESSLY  AND  IN  DETAIL,  THE TIME AND PLACE AND ANY
LAWFUL RESTRICTIONS THAT MAY BE IMPOSED REGARDING SUCH DEMONSTRATION. IF
SUCH PERMIT APPLICATION IS DENIED, THE  OFFICE  SHALL  ISSUE  A  WRITTEN
DENIAL  THAT  SPECIFIES IN DETAIL THE MANNER IN WHICH THE APPLICATION IS
DEFICIENT, TOGETHER WITH THE PROCEDURE BY WHICH THE ORGANIZER MAY OBTAIN
TIMELY RECONSIDERATION OF SUCH DETERMINATION UNDER THIS SUBDIVISION.
  (C) THE PERMIT ISSUED BY THE OFFICE UNDER  THIS  SUBDIVISION  MAY,  IN
ACCORDANCE  WITH  APPLICABLE LAW, SPECIFY REASONABLE RESTRICTIONS ON THE
TIME, PLACE AND MANNER OF THE DEMONSTRATION  FOR  WHICH  THE  PERMIT  IS
ISSUED.
  (D) THE COMMISSIONER MAY REQUIRE THE ORGANIZER TO PAY A REASONABLE FEE
WITH  THE PERMIT APPLICATION IN ORDER TO REDUCE ADMINISTRATIVE AND PROC-
ESSING COSTS.
  3. ANY PERSON WHO, AFTER PROPER NOTICE AND OPPORTUNITY FOR AN  ADJUDI-
CATORY HEARING, IS FOUND TO HAVE INTENTIONALLY ORGANIZED AND CONDUCTED A
DEMONSTRATION  WITHIN ONE THOUSAND FEET OF A FUNERAL EVENT WITHOUT FIRST
HAVING OBTAINED A REQUIRED PERMIT UNDER THIS SECTION SHALL BE SUBJECT TO
A CIVIL PENALTY OF UP  TO  FIVE  HUNDRED  DOLLARS  FOR  THE  FIRST  SUCH
VIOLATION  DETERMINED TO HAVE BEEN COMMITTED, UP TO ONE THOUSAND DOLLARS
FOR A SECOND SUCH VIOLATION DETERMINED TO  HAVE  BEEN  COMMITTED  WITHIN

S. 5602                             4

THREE  YEARS OF THE FIRST SUCH VIOLATION, AND UP TO TWO THOUSAND DOLLARS
FOR A THIRD SUCH VIOLATION DETERMINED TO HAVE BEEN COMMITTED WITHIN SUCH
THREE YEAR PERIOD. THE STATE POLICE POWER AND THAT OF ITS LOCALITIES MAY
BE  EMPLOYED  TO PROVIDE ADEQUATE PUBLIC SAFETY AND PROTECTION AT SUCH A
FUNERAL EVENT AND THE PROCESSION TO OR FROM SUCH FUNERAL EVENT.
  S 4. This act shall take effect on the sixtieth  day  after  it  shall
have become a law.

co-Sponsors

2011-S5602A (ACTIVE) - Details

See Assembly Version of this Bill:: A7697
Current Committee:: Senate Veterans, Homeland Security And Military Affairs
Law Section:: General Municipal Law
Laws Affected:: Amd Art 7-A Head, add §149, Gen Muni L; add §13.31, Pks & Rec L

2011-S5602A (ACTIVE) - Summary

Regulates protests at military funerals.

2011-S5602A (ACTIVE) - Sponsor Memo

                                BILL NUMBER:S5602A

TITLE OF BILL:
An act
to amend the military law, in relation to the regulation of
protests at military funerals

PURPOSE:
This bill establishes a 500 foot Military funeral buffer zone public
safety program for localities, provides that any protest of any
military funeral, memorial service, wake, burial or procession to or
from the same, which takes place between 500 and 2,500 feet of such
event may only be held upon the receipt of a permit issued by the
Division of Military and Naval Affairs, together with the posting of
a public security bond, and establishes civil and criminal penalties
for violation of such requirements.

SUMMARY OF SPECIFIC PROVISIONS:
Section One of this bill would add a new section 255 to the military
law, to:

1. Establish a legislative intent for the compelling state interest in
protecting the mourners at military funerals;

2. Create a Military funeral buffer zone public safety program, where
any city, town, village or county can establish by local law, such a

program, to require, that any citizen or group that conducts a
protest at a distance between 500 and 2,500 feet of the vicinity of a
funeral, memorial service, wake, burial or procession of a deceased
member of the active military service of the United States or the
force of the organized militia, may do so only after first obtaining
a permit from the New York State Division of Military and Naval
Affairs.

3. That the division would establish the permit form and requirements
not set forth in statute by regulation, and further require that the
applicant also post a public security bond, in an amount from between
$5,000 and $25,000+ depending upon the number of persons at the
protest.

4. That in security bond would be refunded and returned to the
applicant, upon a determination from the governing body of the local
government in which the protest occurred, that the protest which was
held complied in air respects with the requirements of the permit. In
the event that such a determination is not made by the governing body
of such locality, the division would conduct a hearing to determine
where
the bond proceeds should be paid, including to the locality, a person
connected with the funeral of the military personnel, the applicant,
or all of the above.

5. That pursuant to a violation of the permit, a town, city, village
or county court could assess a civil penalty, and in the event that
such violation is deemed to be intentional, such person would be
guilty of a class A misdemeanor.


Section Two of this bill would provide for an immediate effective date.

JUSTIFICATION:
Recently, on March 2, 2011, the Supreme Court of the United States
issued a decision in the case of Synder v. Phelps, 562
U.S.____(2011), Slip Opinion - NO.09-751. In such case, the Court
found that protests at military funerals, are viewed as
constitutionally protected free speech.
The court, however, also recognized that states also have a compelling
state interest to protect the family and friends mourning at such
military funerals. The Snyder decision, did in fact, acknowledge a
Maryland State Law, which was enacted after the case had been sued,
which establishes time, place and manner restrictions on the
protesting of military funerals, and prohibits protests within a
specific distance of such events.

The Synder case specifically recognizes that there are individuals and
groups who seek to use military funerals as a protest mechanism to
advance their ideology. The Snyder case further held that as long as
the First Amendment remains in force, the right of Americans to
express even the most unseemly ideas is constitutionally protected.
Despite this holding, however, the Court did recognize that such
protests can, however, be limited by states, with respect to their
time, place and manner.

This bill would authorize localities to establish the buffer
protection zone recognized by the Snyder Court, by prohibiting the
protesting of a military funeral within 500 feet of the funeral,
burial, wake, memorial service, or procession of such deceased
military personnel member, and by requiring that any protest taking
place at a location between 500 and 2500 feet from such funeral, may
only be conducted after being issued a permit by, and posting a
security bond with, the Division of Military and Naval Affairs.

It is through the establishment of this buffer zone, that this bill
seeks to balance the constitutionally protected free speech rights of
protesting individuals with the need for protection and privacy of
mourning friends and family of deceased military personnel. In
providing this program, this bill attempts to strike the correct
balance, and address this very important issue.

LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:
This is a new bill.

FISCAL IMPLICATIONS:
None noted.

EFFECTIVE DATE:
This act would take effect immediately.

2011-S5602A (ACTIVE) - Bill Text download pdf

                            
                    S T A T E   O F   N E W   Y O R K
________________________________________________________________________

                                 5602--A

                       2011-2012 Regular Sessions

                            I N  S E N A T E

                              June 6, 2011
                               ___________

Introduced  by  Sens.  ZELDIN,  BALL,  GRIFFO  -- read twice and ordered
  printed, and when printed to be committed to the Committee  on  Veter-
  ans,  Homeland  Security and Military Affairs -- committee discharged,
  bill amended, ordered reprinted as amended  and  recommitted  to  said
  committee

AN  ACT  to  amend  the  military  law, in relation to the regulation of
  protests at military funerals

  THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK, REPRESENTED IN SENATE AND  ASSEM-
BLY, DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS:

  Section  1. The military law is amended by adding a new section 255 to
read as follows:
  S 255.  REGULATION OF PROTESTS AT MILITARY  FUNERALS.  1.  LEGISLATIVE
INTENT.  THE LEGISLATURE FINDS AND DETERMINES THAT ALTHOUGH IT IS IMPOR-
TANT FOR OUR STATE'S CITIZENS TO BE ABLE  TO  EXERCISE  THEIR  CONSTITU-
TIONALLY  PROTECTED  RIGHT  TO  FREE  SPEECH, THERE IS ALSO A COMPELLING
STATE INTEREST IN PRESERVING AND PROTECTING THE FAMILIES AND FRIENDS  OF
DECEASED  MILITARY  PERSONNEL,  ESPECIALLY  AT SUCH A SOLEMN TIME AS THE
DECEASED MILITARY PERSONNEL'S FUNERAL, MEMORIAL SERVICE, WAKE, BURIAL OR
PROCESSION TO OR FROM THE SAME.
  THE LEGISLATURE FURTHER FINDS AND DETERMINES THAT IN ORDER TO  BALANCE
THE  CONSTITUTIONALLY PROTECTED RIGHT TO FREE SPEECH, AND THE COMPELLING
STATE INTEREST IN PRESERVING AND PROTECTING THE  MOURNING  FAMILIES  AND
FRIENDS  OF  DECEASED  MILITARY  PERSONNEL, THE STATE POLICE POWERS, AND
THOSE  OF  ITS  LOCALITIES,  MAY  BE  EMPLOYED  TO  PROVIDE   SUFFICIENT
PROTECTION OF THE FAMILIES AND FRIENDS OF SUCH DECEASED MILITARY PERSON-
NEL, AT SUCH A SOLEMN TIME AS THE DECEASED MILITARY PERSONNEL'S FUNERAL,
MEMORIAL SERVICE, WAKE, BURIAL OR PROCESSION TO OR FROM THE SAME.
  THE  LEGISLATURE  FURTHER FINDS AND DETERMINES THAT IN ADDITION TO ANY
STATE PROHIBITION WHICH MAY BE IMPOSED UNDER THE PENAL LAW, WITH RESPECT
TO THE EXERCISE OF FREE SPEECH WITHIN A CERTAIN DISTANCE FROM A FUNERAL,
MEMORIAL SERVICE, WAKE, BURIAL OR PROCESSION TO OR FROM THE  SAME,  THAT

 EXPLANATION--Matter in ITALICS (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
                      [ ] is old law to be omitted.
                                                           LBD10958-03-1

S. 5602--A                          2

THERE  IS ALSO A COMPELLING STATE INTEREST IN PROVIDING FOR A SAFETY AND
PROTECTION BUFFER ZONE, WITHIN WHICH THE EXPRESSION OF SUCH FREE  SPEECH
RIGHTS  MAY  ONLY  BE  EXERCISED,  PURSUANT  TO A CONTROLLED, REGULATED,
PERMITTED SYSTEM, IN ORDER THAT THE PUBLIC PEACE AND SAFETY OF THE MOUR-
NERS, PROTESTERS, AND THE GENERAL PUBLIC CAN BE EFFECTIVELY MAINTAINED.
  THE  LEGISLATURE FURTHER FINDS AND DETERMINES THAT IT IS THE INTENT OF
THIS LEGISLATION TO  PROVIDE  FOR  THE  STANDARDS  OF  SUCH  SAFETY  AND
PROTECTION  BUFFER  ZONES,  AND THAT IN SO DOING, SEEKS TO ESTABLISH THE
REQUIRED BALANCE BETWEEN THE ABILITY OF OUR STATE'S CITIZENS TO EXERCISE
THEIR CONSTITUTIONALLY PROTECTED RIGHT TO FREE SPEECH AND THE COMPELLING
STATE INTEREST IN PRESERVING AND PROTECTING THE  MOURNING  FAMILIES  AND
FRIENDS  OF  A  DECEASED  MEMBER  OF  THE ACTIVE MILITARY SERVICE OF THE
UNITED STATES OR THE FORCE OF THE ORGANIZED MILITIA.
  2. MILITARY FUNERAL BUFFER ZONE PUBLIC SAFETY PROGRAM. ANY CITY, TOWN,
VILLAGE OR COUNTY, MAY, BY LOCAL LAW, ESTABLISH A MILITARY FUNERAL BUFF-
ER ZONE PUBLIC SAFETY PROGRAM.   SUCH PROGRAM  SHALL  REQUIRE  THAT  ANY
CITIZEN  OR  GROUP  THAT  CONDUCTS  A  PROTEST  WITHIN TWO THOUSAND FIVE
HUNDRED FEET OF A FUNERAL, MEMORIAL SERVICE, WAKE, BURIAL OR  PROCESSION
OF A DECEASED MEMBER OF THE ACTIVE MILITARY SERVICE OF THE UNITED STATES
OR  THE  FORCE  OF  THE  ORGANIZED  MILITIA,  MAY DO SO ONLY AFTER FIRST
OBTAINING A PERMIT FROM THE NEW YORK  STATE  DIVISION  OF  MILITARY  AND
NAVAL  AFFAIRS  (HEREINAFTER  "DIVISION"). UPON THE ISSUANCE OF A PERMIT
UNDER THIS SUBDIVISION TO CONDUCT SUCH A  PROTEST  IN  A  LOCALITY,  THE
DIVISION,  IN  ADDITION  TO  WHATEVER REQUIREMENTS IT SHALL ESTABLISH BY
REGULATION, SHALL REQUIRE THAT:
  A. THE CITIZEN OR GROUP FILE AN APPLICATION FOR A PERMIT TO CONDUCT  A
PROTEST  IN THE VICINITY OF A FUNERAL, MEMORIAL SERVICE, WAKE, BURIAL OR
PROCESSION OF A DECEASED MEMBER OF THE ACTIVE MILITARY  SERVICE  OF  THE
UNITED  STATES OR THE FORCE OF THE ORGANIZED MILITIA, WITH THE DIVISION,
IN THE MANNER AND FORM AS MAY BE REQUIRED BY THE  DIVISION  PURSUANT  TO
REGULATION,  NOT  LESS THAN SEVEN BUSINESS DAYS PRIOR TO THE DATE OF THE
PROTEST;
  B. THE CITIZEN OR GROUP FILING SUCH APPLICATION, SHALL AT THE TIME  OF
THE  FILING  OF  SUCH APPLICATION, ALSO POST A PUBLIC SECURITY BOND WITH
THE DIVISION, IN THE MANNER AND FORM AS MAY BE REQUIRED BY THE  DIVISION
PURSUANT TO REGULATION, IN THE AMOUNT AS FOLLOWS:
  (I) FOR A PROTEST WITH ONE TO FIVE PERSONS, FIVE THOUSAND DOLLARS;
  (II)  FOR  A  PROTEST  WITH  SIX  TO  TEN PERSONS, SEVEN THOUSAND FIVE
HUNDRED DOLLARS;
  (III) FOR A PROTEST WITH ELEVEN TO TWENTY-FIVE PERSONS,  TEN  THOUSAND
DOLLARS;
  (IV)  FOR A PROTEST WITH TWENTY-SIX TO FIFTY PERSONS, FIFTEEN THOUSAND
DOLLARS;
  (V) FOR A PROTEST WITH FIFTY-ONE TO SEVENTY-FIVE PERSONS, TWENTY THOU-
SAND DOLLARS;
  (VI)  FOR  A  PROTEST  WITH  SEVENTY-FIVE  TO  ONE  HUNDRED   PERSONS,
TWENTY-FIVE THOUSAND DOLLARS; AND
  (VII)  FOR  A PROTEST WITH OVER ONE HUNDRED PERSONS, TWENTY-FIVE THOU-
SAND DOLLARS PLUS AN ADDITIONAL AMOUNT PER PROTESTOR AS SHALL BE  ESTAB-
LISHED PURSUANT TO REGULATION BY THE DIVISION;
  C. WITHIN THREE BUSINESS DAYS OF THE FILING OF AN APPLICATION PURSUANT
TO  PARAGRAPH  A  OF  THIS SUBDIVISION, TOGETHER WITH THE POSTING OF THE
REQUIRED SECURITY BOND PURSUANT TO PARAGRAPH B OF THIS SUBDIVISION,  THE
DIVISION  SHALL  REVIEW  SUCH APPLICATION AND SECURITY BOND, AND IF SUCH
APPLICATION AND BOND SATISFY ALL THE REQUIREMENTS OF  THIS  SECTION,  AS
WELL  AS  ALL  THE  REQUIREMENTS THAT THE DIVISION MAY FURTHER IMPOSE BY

S. 5602--A                          3

REGULATION, THEN THE DIVISION SHALL ISSUE TO THE APPLICANT, A PERMIT  TO
CONDUCT  SUCH  PROTEST,  AND SUCH PERMIT SHALL EXPRESSLY, AND IN DETAIL,
SET FORTH THE TIME, PLACE AND MANNER OF RESTRICTIONS OF THE  PROTEST  AS
ALLOWABLE BY LAW;
  D.  UPON ISSUING A PERMIT TO CONDUCT A PROTEST UNDER THIS SECTION, THE
DIVISION SHALL ALSO TRANSMIT A COPY OF THE  PERMIT,  TOGETHER  WITH  THE
APPLICATION  FOR  THE SAME, TO THE LOCALITY IN WHICH THE APPLICANT SEEKS
TO CONDUCT THE PROTEST;
  E. UPON RECEIVING A PERMIT  FROM  THE  DIVISION,  AND  NOT  LESS  THAN
FORTY-EIGHT  HOURS  PRIOR  TO THE CONDUCT OF THE PROTESTS, THE APPLICANT
SHALL ALSO FILE WITH EACH CITY, TOWN, VILLAGE, AND COUNTY, IN WHICH  THE
PROTEST IS AUTHORIZED TO OCCUR, A COPY OF THE PERMIT ISSUED BY THE DIVI-
SION;
  F.  THE  PERMIT ISSUED BY THE DIVISION SHALL PROVIDE THAT THE PROTEST,
FOR WHICH A PERMIT WAS ISSUED BY THE DIVISION, AND FOR WHICH A  SECURITY
BOND  WAS FILED, SHALL BE CONDUCTED EXCLUSIVELY IN THE MANNER, PLACE AND
TIME, AS SPECIFIED AND AUTHORIZED IN THE PERMIT;
  G. IN NO EVENT SHALL ANY PROTEST EVER  BE  CONDUCTED,  NOR  SHALL  THE
DIVISION EVER ISSUE A PERMIT FOR THE CONDUCT OF ANY PROTEST, WITHIN FIVE
HUNDRED  FEET  OF  ANY FUNERAL, MEMORIAL SERVICE, WAKE, BURIAL, OR PROC-
ESSION TO OR FROM THE SAME, OF A MEMBER OF THE ACTIVE  MILITARY  SERVICE
OF THE UNITED STATES OR THE FORCE OF THE ORGANIZED MILITIA;
  H.  WITHIN THIRTY DAYS OF THE DATE OF THE PROTEST FOR WHICH THE PERMIT
WAS ISSUED BY THE DIVISION, THE GOVERNING BODY OF THE LOCALITY IN  WHICH
SUCH PROTEST WAS HELD, BY A MAJORITY VOTE OF THE MEMBERS OF SUCH GOVERN-
ING BODY, SHALL MAKE A DETERMINATION AS TO WHETHER SUCH PROTEST COMPLIED
IN ALL RESPECTS WITH ALL THE REQUIREMENTS OF THE PERMIT, AND SHALL THER-
EUPON NOTIFY THE DIVISION OF SUCH DETERMINATION;
  I.  UPON  THE NOTIFICATION BY A LOCALITY THAT A PROTEST WAS HELD WHICH
COMPLIED IN ALL RESPECTS WITH ALL THE REQUIREMENTS OF  THE  PERMIT,  THE
DIVISION SHALL, WITHIN THIRTY DAYS, RELEASE AND REFUND THE SECURITY BOND
FILED  BACK TO THE APPLICANT, UNLESS REQUIRED TO DO OTHERWISE BY A COURT
OF COMPETENT JURISDICTION;
  J. IN THE EVENT THAT AN APPLICANT FILES A SECURITY BOND WITH THE DIVI-
SION, AND THEREAFTER FILES A WITHDRAWAL OF THE APPLICATION,  DUE  EITHER
TO  THE  FACT  THAT  THE PROTEST NEVER OCCURRED OR THAT THE APPLICANT NO
LONGER DESIRED TO HOLD A PROTEST, THE DIVISION, UPON FINDING  THAT  SUCH
APPLICATION  FOR  WITHDRAWAL  IS MERITORIOUS, SHALL, WITHIN THIRTY DAYS,
RELEASE AND REFUND THE SECURITY BOND FILED BACK TO THE APPLICANT, UNLESS
REQUIRED TO DO OTHERWISE BY A COURT OF COMPETENT JURISDICTION;
  K. IN THE EVENT THAT THE GOVERNING BODY OF THE LOCALITY IN WHICH  SUCH
PROTEST  WAS  HELD  MAKES  A  DETERMINATION,  BY  A MAJORITY VOTE OF THE
MEMBERS OF SUCH GOVERNING BODY, THAT SUCH PROTEST DID NOT COMPLY IN  ALL
RESPECTS  WITH  ALL  THE  REQUIREMENTS OF THE PERMIT, THEN THE DIVISION,
PURSUANT TO REGULATIONS, SHALL CONDUCT A  HEARING,  WHEREUPON  IT  SHALL
MAKE  A  DETERMINATION  AS TO WHETHER THE APPLICANT SHALL FORFEIT ALL OR
ANY PART OF THE BOND, WITH THE PROCEEDS OF THE BOND BEING AWARDED TO:
  (I) THE LOCALITY;
  (II) A PERSON OR PERSONS CONNECTED WITH THE FUNERAL, MEMORIAL SERVICE,
WAKE, BURIAL OR PROCESSION WHICH WAS THE SUBJECT OF THE PROTEST;
  (III) THE APPLICANT; OR
  (IV) ANY COMBINATION OF THE ABOVE; AND
  L. IN THE EVENT THAT THE DIVISION MAKES A DETERMINATION  THAT  ALL  OR
ANY  PART OF THE SECURITY BOND SHALL NOT BE RETURNED AND REFUNDED TO THE
APPLICANT, THE DIVISION SHALL MAKE PAYMENT  TO  THOSE  PARTIES  THAT  IT
DETERMINED  SHOULD  RECEIVE  THE  PROCEEDS OF SUCH SECURITY BOND, WITHIN

S. 5602--A                          4

THIRTY DAYS OF MAKING SUCH DETERMINATION, UNLESS REQUIRED TO  DO  OTHER-
WISE BY A COURT OF COMPETENT JURISDICTION.
  3.  THE  DIVISION,  AND  ANY  LOCALITY, SHALL NOT REQUIRE A PERMIT, OR
SECURITY BOND, FOR ANY PROTEST OF ANY FUNERAL, MEMORIAL  SERVICE,  WAKE,
BURIAL,  OR  PROCESSION  TO  OR FROM THE SAME, OF A MEMBER OF THE ACTIVE
MILITARY SERVICE OF THE UNITED STATES OR  THE  FORCE  OF  THE  ORGANIZED
MILITIA,  WHERE  SUCH  PROTEST IS CONDUCTED EXCLUSIVELY AT A DISTANCE OF
MORE THAN TWO THOUSAND FIVE HUNDRED FEET FROM ANY SUCH FUNERAL, MEMORIAL
SERVICE, WAKE, BURIAL, OR PROCESSION TO OR FROM THE SAME.
  4. VIOLATIONS OF MILITARY FUNERAL BUFFER ZONE PUBLIC  SAFETY  PROGRAM.
ANY CITY, TOWN, VILLAGE OR COUNTY, WHICH HAS BY LOCAL LAW, ESTABLISHED A
MILITARY FUNERAL BUFFER ZONE PUBLIC SAFETY PROGRAM, WHEREBY SUCH LOCALI-
TY HAS REQUIRED THAT ANY CITIZEN OR GROUP THAT CONDUCTS A PROTEST IN THE
VICINITY  OF A FUNERAL, MEMORIAL SERVICE, WAKE, BURIAL, OR PROCESSION TO
OR FROM THE SAME, OF A DECEASED MEMBER OF THE ACTIVE MILITARY SERVICE OF
THE UNITED STATES OR THE FORCE OF  THE  ORGANIZED  MILITIA,  MUST  FIRST
OBTAIN  A  PERMIT FROM THE DIVISION, IN ORDER TO CONDUCT SUCH A PROTEST,
UPON RECEIVING A PERMIT, UNDER THIS SECTION TO CONDUCT SUCH  A  PROTEST,
MAY  POST  A  POLICE OFFICER FROM SUCH CITY, TOWN, VILLAGE OR COUNTY, AT
THE SITE OF THE PROTEST, IN ORDER TO ASSURE  THE  MAINTENANCE  OF  CIVIL
OBEDIENCE  AND  THE PUBLIC PEACE. IN THE EVENT THAT AFTER THE CONDUCT OF
SUCH PROTEST, A COURT OF THE CITY, TOWN, VILLAGE  OR  COUNTY  DETERMINES
THAT  THE  PROTEST  WAS  EITHER  INTENTIONALLY  OR  UNINTENTIONALLY  NOT
CONDUCTED IN EXPRESS ACCORDANCE WITH THE PERMIT ISSUED BY THE  DIVISION,
THEN SUCH COURT MAY IMPOSE A CIVIL PENALTY UPON EACH AND EVERY PROTESTER
WHO  PARTICIPATED  IN ANY PROTEST FOUND TO BE IN VIOLATION OF THE PERMIT
ISSUED BY THE DIVISION. THE AMOUNT  OF  SUCH  CIVIL  PENALTY  SHALL  NOT
EXCEED  FIVE  HUNDRED DOLLARS. THE INTENTIONAL VIOLATION BY A PROTESTER,
OF A PERMIT ISSUED BY THE DIVISION, SHALL BE A CLASS A MISDEMEANOR.
  S 2. This act shall take effect immediately.

Comments

Open Legislation is a forum for New York State legislation. All comments are subject to review and community moderation is encouraged.

Comments deemed off-topic, commercial, campaign-related, self-promotional; or that contain profanity, hate or toxic speech; or that link to sites outside of the nysenate.gov domain are not permitted, and will not be published. Attempts to intimidate and silence contributors or deliberately deceive the public, including excessive or extraneous posting/posts, or coordinated activity, are prohibited and may result in the temporary or permanent banning of the user. Comment moderation is generally performed Monday through Friday. By contributing or voting you agree to the Terms of Participation and verify you are over 13.

Create an account. An account allows you to sign petitions with a single click, officially support or oppose key legislation, and follow issues, committees, and bills that matter to you. When you create an account, you agree to this platform's terms of participation.

Senate Bill S5602

Sponsored By

Archive: Last Bill Status - In Senate Committee Veterans, Homeland Security And Military Affairs Committee

Bill Amendments

co-Sponsors

2011-S5602 - Details

2011-S5602 - Summary

2011-S5602 - Sponsor Memo

2011-S5602 - Bill Text download pdf

co-Sponsors

2011-S5602A (ACTIVE) - Details

2011-S5602A (ACTIVE) - Summary

2011-S5602A (ACTIVE) - Sponsor Memo

2011-S5602A (ACTIVE) - Bill Text download pdf

Comments

Senate Bill S5602

Share this bill

Sponsored By

Lee M. Zeldin

Archive: Last Bill Status - In Senate Committee Veterans, Homeland Security And Military Affairs Committee

Bill Amendments

co-Sponsors

Greg Ball

Joseph A. Griffo

2011-S5602 - Details

2011-S5602 - Summary

2011-S5602 - Sponsor Memo

2011-S5602 - Bill Text download pdf

co-Sponsors

Greg Ball

Joseph A. Griffo

2011-S5602A (ACTIVE) - Details

2011-S5602A (ACTIVE) - Summary

2011-S5602A (ACTIVE) - Sponsor Memo

2011-S5602A (ACTIVE) - Bill Text download pdf

Comments