S T A T E O F N E W Y O R K
________________________________________________________________________
5403
2021-2022 Regular Sessions
I N A S S E M B L Y
February 16, 2021
___________
Introduced by M. of A. McDONALD -- read once and referred to the Commit-
tee on Governmental Operations
AN ACT to amend the public officers law, in relation to conducting busi-
ness by electronic means during a state disaster emergency; and
providing for the repeal of such provisions upon expiration thereof
THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK, REPRESENTED IN SENATE AND ASSEM-
BLY, DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS:
Section 1. Section 103 of the public officers law is amended by adding
a new subdivision (g) to read as follows:
(G) NOTWITHSTANDING ANY OTHER PROVISION OF LAW TO THE CONTRARY, DURING
A STATE DISASTER EMERGENCY, AS DEFINED IN SECTION TWENTY OF THE EXECU-
TIVE LAW, A PUBLIC BODY IN THE AFFECTED AREA MAY UTILIZE ELECTRONIC
MEANS TO CONDUCT BUSINESS PURSUANT TO THIS SECTION. IN UTILIZING SUCH
ELECTRONIC MEANS, THE PUBLIC BODY SHALL PROMPTLY PROVIDE NOTICE TO THE
GENERAL PUBLIC PURSUANT TO SECTION ONE HUNDRED FOUR OF THIS ARTICLE
DETAILING HOW FAILURE TO UTILIZE ELECTRONIC MEANS WOULD UNDULY THREATEN
THE HEALTH OR SAFETY OF MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC BODY OR THE GENERAL
PUBLIC, AND PROVIDE A DESCRIPTION OF ALTERNATE MEANS BY WHICH THE PUBLIC
CAN MONITOR, WATCH, LISTEN TO, PARTICIPATE IN, AND/OR ATTEND THE MEET-
ING.
§ 2. This act shall take effect immediately and shall expire and be
deemed repealed December 31, 2022.
EXPLANATION--Matter in ITALICS (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD03807-02-1