S T A T E O F N E W Y O R K
________________________________________________________________________
3462
2025-2026 Regular Sessions
I N S E N A T E
January 27, 2025
___________
Introduced by Sen. HELMING -- read twice and ordered printed, and when
printed to be committed to the Committee on Judiciary
AN ACT to amend the real property law, in relation to the rights of
tenants to display the flag of the United States
THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK, REPRESENTED IN SENATE AND ASSEM-
BLY, DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS:
Section 1. The real property law is amended by adding a new section
223-c to read as follows:
§ 223-C. RIGHTS OF TENANTS TO DISPLAY THE FLAG OF THE UNITED STATES IN
CERTAIN AREAS. 1. NO LANDLORD SHALL PROHIBIT A TENANT FROM ENGAGING IN
THE DISPLAY OF THE FLAG OF THE UNITED STATES IF THE FLAG IS DISPLAYED IN
ACCORDANCE WITH:
A. THE PATRIOTIC CUSTOMS SET FORTH IN 4 U.S.C. 5-10, GOVERNING THE
DISPLAY AND USE OF THE FLAG OF THE UNITED STATES;
B. FEDERAL LAW, STATE LAW, OR ANY LOCAL ORDINANCE OR RESOLUTION; AND
C. DOES NOT INFRINGE UPON THE SPACE RENTED BY ANY OTHER TENANT.
2. AS USED IN THIS SECTION, "DISPLAY OF THE FLAG OF THE UNITED STATES"
MEANS A FLAG OF THE UNITED STATES THAT IS:
A. MADE OF CLOTH, FABRIC OR PAPER;
B. DISPLAYED FROM A POLE OR STAFF OR IN A WINDOW; AND
C. DISPLAYED IN A MANNER THAT IS CONSISTENT WITH 4 U.S.C. CHAPTER 1.
3. A TENANT WHO REQUESTS TO DISPLAY THE FLAG OF THE UNITED STATES AT
THE RENTAL PROPERTY AS PROVIDED IN THIS SECTION, SHALL CONTACT THE LAND-
LORD WITH REASONABLE NOTICE BEFORE DISPLAY TO DISCUSS THE FOLLOWING:
A. PLACEMENT IN COMPLIANCE WITH ANY LOCAL ZONING RESTRICTIONS; AND
B. THE APPROPRIATE SIZE OF THE FLAG, WHICH SHALL BE CONSISTENT WITH
THE SIZE AND CHARACTER OF THE DWELLING UNIT.
4. NOTHING IN THIS SECTION EXEMPTS A TENANT FROM A PROVISION IN A
LEASE AGREEMENT THAT REQUIRES A TENANT, AT THE TERMINATION OF A LEASE,
TO RETURN THE PREMISES IN THE SAME CONDITION AS THEY WERE IN WHEN THE
TENANT TOOK POSSESSION.
5. THE TENANT IS LIABLE FOR DAMAGES CAUSED BY A UNITED STATES FLAG
DISPLAYED BY A TENANT.
§ 2. This act shall take effect immediately.
EXPLANATION--Matter in ITALICS (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD07233-01-5