New York – Assemblymember Micah Lasher and Senator Sam Sutton, together with co-prime sponsors Senator Liz Krueger and Assemblymember Nily Rozic, today announced legislation to create a 25-foot buffer zone around places of worship and health care facilities to protect New Yorkers from harassment and intimidation.

The UJA-Federation of New York announced its support for the bill, which comes as New York State has experienced a 69% increase in hate crimes in the last five years, with antisemitism constituting 44% of all hate crimes and 88% of all religion-based hate crimes in New York, according to a report by the New York State Comptroller. 

The legislation would amend Section 240.70 of the New York State Penal Law to prohibit demonstrations within 25 feet of reproductive health care facilities and places of worship. By creating a modest buffer zone, the legislation balances the critical constitutional protections of speech and religion, and gives law enforcement important new tools to protect the rights of all New Yorkers. The bill would also make clear that New Yorkers entering a house of worship receive the protections of law without an inquiry into the purpose of their entry.

Assemblymember Micah Lasher said: "New York must always be a place where people can both exercise free speech and express their religious identity without fear or intimidation, and that balance broke down outside Park East Synagogue. This bill will help our city government and other localities across the state ensure that New Yorkers are able to enter houses of worship without having to run a gauntlet of hate speech. Simple decency and mutual respect demands nothing less.”

Senator Sam Sutton said: “When people walk into a synagogue, church, mosque, or temple, they deserve to feel safe. When families trying to enter their houses of worship are instead forced to push past hostile crowds gathered just feet from the door, it’s not peaceful expression – it’s blatant intimidation. New Yorkers deserve better. We cannot and will not allow it.”

Senator Liz Krueger said: “Freedom of speech and of religion are bedrock principles of American democracy, and both have equal claim to protection under our laws. When they appear to be in conflict, it requires careful consideration and thoughtful compromise. People have a right to protest, which includes saying things that some find objectionable and even making people feel uncomfortable. But that right does not extend to causing a reasonable person to fear for their immediate physical safety or preventing them from exercising their religious freedom as they see fit, including entering a house of worship. This bill strikes the right balance and provides clarity that will protect both protesters and those entering and exiting houses of worship, without unduly infringing on free speech."

Assemblymember Nily Rozic said: “Houses of worship should serve as peaceful sanctuaries, not punching bags for protestors. Every New Yorker, no matter their faith, deserves to worship and gather in peace. I’m grateful to Assemblymember Lasher for carrying this legislation, and I’m proud to stand with him in support of it.”

Eric Goldstein, CEO of the UJA-Federation of New York, said: “The ability to worship freely and without fear is fundamental to who we are as a nation. UJA strongly supports this bill, which takes meaningful steps to ensure that every faith community can gather in safety. No one should ever face intimidation or see their synagogue – or any house of worship – targeted by protests meant to disrupt or instill fear. We are deeply grateful to Senator Sutton and Assembly Member Lasher for their leadership and commitment to protecting all those who come together in sacred communal spaces.”