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New York statute

N.Y. Penal Law § 240.69 — Criminal interference with access to a place of religious worship

Current through 2026 legislative session (LBDC text via OpenLegislation as of 2026-07-17)

Part of Article 240: Offenses Against Public Order, New York Penal Law.

Criminal charges under this statute

Full text of N.Y. Penal Law § 240.69

Statutory text current through the 2026 legislative session (LBDC text via OpenLegislation as of 2026-07-17). This publication reproduces the text of the Consolidated Laws of New York as provided by the New York State Senate's Open Legislation service (Legislative Bill Drafting Commission statutory text); it is not the official statutes of the State of New York.

N.Y. Penal Law § 240.69Primary source, current through the 2026 legislative session (LBDC text via OpenLegislation as of 2026-07-17)
240.69 Criminal interference with access to a place of religious worship. 1. A person is guilty of criminal interference with access to a place of religious worship when such person, with respect to an individual who was or is seeking to enter into or exit from a place of religious worship: (a) knowingly or intentionally obstructs or otherwise interferes with the entryway into or exit from a place of religious worship, for the purpose of rendering passage by that individual unreasonably difficult or hazardous; or (b) within fifty feet from a place of religious worship, knowingly or intentionally engages in a course of conduct that places that individual in reasonable fear for their safety. 2. For purposes of this section, the term "security perimeter" shall mean an area that is established by a law enforcement agency in response to, or in anticipation of, a demonstration outside of a place of religious worship, within which demonstration activity is not allowed. 3. Nothing in this section shall limit the authority or discretion of law enforcement agencies for the purpose of public safety to establish security perimeters, including security perimeters that extend beyond fifty feet of distance from a place of religious worship. Criminal interference with access to a place of religious worship is a class B misdemeanor.

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Legal terms used in this section

Questions this section answers

What class of misdemeanor is criminal interference with access to a place of religious worship in New York?

Criminal interference with access to a place of religious worship is a Class B Misdemeanor in New York under N.Y. Penal Law § 240.69.

Which New York statute covers criminal interference with access to a place of religious worship?

Criminal interference with access to a place of religious worship is governed by N.Y. Penal Law § 240.69 (Criminal interference with access to a place of religious worship).

This reference is informational and is not legal advice.