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

§ 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.