Amd S2, add Art 22 SS460 - 469, Art 23 SS470 - 479, Art 24 SS480 - 489, Rel Corp L
Provides a means of incorporation for organized groups affiliated with the Hindu, Sikh and Islamic faiths; amends the definition of "clergyman" and "minister" to include a pandit, swami, guru, granthi, imam, moulvi, and maulana.
NEW YORK STATE ASSEMBLY MEMORANDUM IN SUPPORT OF LEGISLATION submitted in accordance with Assembly Rule III, Sec 1(f)
BILL NUMBER: A7116
SPONSOR: Brennan TITLE OF BILL: An act to amend the religious corporations law, in
relation to providing a means of incorporation for organized groups
affiliated with the Hindu, Sikh and Islamic faiths
PURPOSE OR GENERAL IDEA OF BILL:
The legislation will give organized groups affiliated with the Hindu,
Sikh and Islamic faiths the same rights to incorporation as enjoyed by
more than 20 other religiously affiliated groups under the current N ew
York State Religious Corporations Law.
SUMMARY OF PROVISIONS:
Section 1 of the bill amends the fourth undesignated paragraph of
section of the religious corporations law, as amended by chapter 674 of
the laws of 1947, by adding to the definition of "clergyman" and "minis-
ter" to include "pandit, swami, guru, granthi, imam, moulvi, maulana".
Section 2 of the bill amends the religious corporations law by adding a
new article 22 that creates a category for "Organizations of the Hindu
Faith" setting forth following sections: Section 460. Application;
Section 461. Application for incorporation; Section 462. Qualification
of voters; Section 463. Notice of meeting for incorporation; Section
464. Meeting for incorporation; Section 465. Church governance; Section
466. Certificate of incorporation; Section 467. Reincorporation of pres-
ent incorporated churches; Section 468. Time, place and notice of corpo-
rate meetings; Section 469. Corporate meetings;
Section 3 of the bill amends the religious corporations law by adding a
new article 23 that creates a category for "Organizations of the Sikh
Faith" setting forth following sections: Section 470. Application;
Section 471. Application for incorporation; Section 472. Qualification
of voters; Section 473. Notice of meeting for incorporation; Section
474. Meeting for incorporation; Section 475. Church governance; Section
476. Certificate of incorporation; Section 477. Reincorporation of pres-
ent incorporated churches; Section 478. Time, place and notice of corpo-
rate meetings; Section 479. Corporate meetings;
Section 4 of the bill amends the religious corporations law by adding
anew article 24 that creates a category for "Organizations of the Islam-
ic Faith" setting forth following sections: Section 480. Application;
Section 481. Application for incorporation; Section 482. Qualification
of voters; Section 483. Notice of meeting for incorporation; Section
484. Meeting for incorporation; Section 485. Church governance; Section
486. Certificate of incorporation; Section 487. Reincorporation of pres-
ent incorporated churches; Section 488. Time, place and notice of corpo-
rate meetings; Section 489. Corporate meetings;
Section 5 provides for this act to take effect immediately
JUSTIFICATION:
Current state law allows for a means of incorporation for more than 20
religiously affiliated churches/organizations from Protestant, Presbyte-
rian and Roman Catholic Churches to Universalists and Unitarian Socie-
ties. However, this same privilege has yet to be explicitly granted to
organized groups affiliated with the Hindu, Sikh and Islamic faiths.
Each of these religious faiths dates back a minimum of 1,000 years and
their followers have practiced their faiths in the United States for
decades if not centuries. New York State is home to many followers of
each religious faith and their members count into the thousands if not
millions throughout the state.
One of the fundamental tenets of the United States Constitution is reli-
gious freedom and it is time that the state of New York officially
acknowledge the Hindu, Sikh and Islamic faiths by giving them the same
privilege that is given to more than 20 other faiths who already enjoy
the right to incorporate as a religious corporation with all of respon-
sibilities and benefits that accompany this incorporated status.
PRIOR LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:
2011-12: S.4839
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS FOR STATE AND LOCAL GOVERNMENTS:
None.
EFFECTIVE DATE:
This act shall take effect immediately.
