S T A T E O F N E W Y O R K
________________________________________________________________________
2034
2025-2026 Regular Sessions
I N A S S E M B L Y
January 14, 2025
___________
Introduced by M. of A. SMULLEN, TAGUE, E. BROWN, K. BROWN, PALMESANO,
MANKTELOW, MAHER, McDONOUGH, LEMONDES, BRABENEC, GALLAHAN, HAWLEY,
BENDETT, DeSTEFANO -- read once and referred to the Committee on
Corporations, Authorities and Commissions
AN ACT to amend the executive law, in relation to establishing an
adopt-a-rural cemetery program
THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK, REPRESENTED IN SENATE AND ASSEM-
BLY, DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS:
Section 1. The executive law is amended by adding a new section 144-b
to read as follows:
§ 144-B. ADOPT-A-RURAL CEMETERY PROGRAM. 1. THE SECRETARY OF STATE
SHALL DEVELOP AND IMPLEMENT AN ADOPT-A-RURAL CEMETERY PROGRAM THE
PURPOSES OF WHICH SHALL INCLUDE, BUT NOT BE LIMITED TO, IMPROVING,
REPAIRING, AND MAINTAINING CEMETERIES IN RURAL COMMUNITIES WHICH ARE
REGISTERED WITH AND OVERSEEN BY THE DIVISION OF CEMETERIES AND ARE
LOCATED IN ANY MUNICIPALITY EXCEPT IN A CITY HAVING A POPULATION OF ONE
MILLION OR MORE INHABITANTS. A MUNICIPALITY MAY OPT TO PARTICIPATE IN
THE PROGRAM. THE PROGRAM SHALL INCLUDE BUT NOT BE LIMITED TO:
(A) COORDINATING SERVICES BY VOLUNTEERS OR GROUPS TO IMPROVE, REPAIR
AND MAINTAIN CEMETERIES; AND
(B) PROVIDING AND INSTALLING APPROPRIATE SIGNS IDENTIFYING THOSE
VOLUNTEERS OR GROUPS ADOPTING PARTICULAR RURAL CEMETERIES.
2. (A) SIGNS DESCRIBED IN PARAGRAPH (B) OF SUBDIVISION ONE OF THIS
SECTION MUST:
(I) BE PLACED AT THE MAIN ENTRANCE OF THE CEMETERY ALONGSIDE OR BELOW
ANY EXISTING CEMETERY SIGNAGE;
(II) MATCH AND CONFORM TO THE STYLE, COLOR, TYPE, FONT, AND LIKENESS
OF ANY EXISTING CEMETERY SIGNAGE, INCLUDING ANY HISTORIC PRESERVATION
REQUIREMENTS;
(III) BE DEVOID OF ANY CORPORATE LOGOS, TRADEMARKS, AND IMAGES;
EXPLANATION--Matter in ITALICS (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD03561-01-5
A. 2034 2
(IV) BE LIMITED IN SIZE TO NO MORE THAN HALF THE DIMENSIONS OF THE
LARGEST EXISTING CEMETERY SIGNAGE AT THE LOCATION IN WHICH IT SHALL BE
PLACED; AND
(V) MEET ANY OTHER REQUIREMENTS THAT THE DEPARTMENT OF STATE MAY ADD.
(B) IF THERE IS NO EXISTING SIGNAGE AT A CEMETERY, THE SIGN FOR IDEN-
TIFYING THOSE VOLUNTEERS OR GROUPS ADOPTING PARTICULAR RURAL CEMETERIES
SHALL BE CONSTRUCTED IN ACCORDANCE WITH HOW THE CEMETERY CORPORATION OR
MUNICIPALITY WHICH OWNS THE CEMETERY SHALL SEE FIT BUT SHALL BE DEVOID
OF ANY CORPORATE LOGOS, TRADEMARKS, AND IMAGES.
3. THE SECRETARY OF STATE IS AUTHORIZED AND DIRECTED TO PROMULGATE
RULES AND REGULATIONS NECESSARY TO IMPLEMENT AND CARRY OUT THE
PROVISIONS OF THIS SECTION INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO:
(A) THE NUMBER OF YEARS THAT VOLUNTEERS OR GROUPS MAY ADOPT A RURAL
CEMETERY; AND
(B) THE REQUIREMENTS THAT MUST BE MET IN ORDER TO CONTINUE TO BE THE
ADOPTER OF A CEMETERY.
4. THE PROGRAM WILL BE FUNDED THROUGH EXISTING APPROPRIATIONS WITHIN
THE DEPARTMENT OF STATE FOR THE REIMBURSEMENT OF MAINTENANCE AND THE
DESIGNING, CONSTRUCTION, AND INSTALLATION OF THE SIGNAGE IDENTIFYING
THOSE VOLUNTEERS OR GROUPS ADOPTING PARTICULAR RURAL CEMETERIES.
§ 2. This act shall take effect immediately.