N.Y. Banking Law § 9-z: Cashing of certain checks

§ 9-z. Cashing of certain checks. 1. No bank, trust company, savings

bank, savings and loan association or credit union shall, refuse to cash

a cashier's check, a payroll check, or a certified check in the amount

of five hundred dollars or less, drawn on accounts in such institution

or a branch as long as there are sufficient funds within the account on

which the check is drawn. Such institution may require, as a condition

for cashing such check, that the payee present a valid government-issued

photo identification and matching proof of address such as a bank

statement, utility bill or printed pay stub.

2. If a person presents such forms of identification, as provided in

subdivision one of this section, and a signature or mark, and the insti-

tution refuses to cash the check in the absence of suspected fraudulent

activity, such institution shall be guilty of a violation of this

section and shall be subject to penalties pursuant to section forty-four

of this chapter.