Legislative Memo: Open Meetings Law (2006)

NYCLU supports legislation that would increase public access to the processes and procedures of governance and increase the accountability of public officials.... Read More

Legislative Memo: Cyber-café Restrictions (2006)

This bill would institute a regime of regulation for internet cafes. While the intent of the bill is to prevent violence in these businesses and to provide an avenue for addressing problem businesses, many provisions in the bill would do nothing to further that objective, but would instead unconstitutionally limit minors' access to these establishments.... Read More

Legislative Memo: Family Health Care Decisions Act (2006)

The NYCLU supports legislation that would permit an individual's family members, domestic partner, or close friends to make health care decisions when that individual is incapacitated.... Read More

Legislative Memo: Regarding legislative proposals related to sex offenses (2005)

Both the Senate and Assembly have recently introduced a raft of legislative proposals that would further sanction or regulate persons who have served sentences for sex offenses. Unfortunately, many of the public comments regarding this issue have been characterized by gross distortions of fact and by apparent ignorance of behavioral science and law enforcement practices. ... Read More

Legislative Memo: RRP Opposes "Monitored Birth" Bill Because It Is Overbroad, Violates Due Process (2005)

The so-called "Monitored Birth" Bill (S.3370), submitted by Senator Spano, would require the Office of Children and Family Services to notify all local hospitals anytime a person who had been adjudicated to have abused a child or resides with someone who has been so adjudicated and who is pregnant that the birth is to be "monitored." This bill has raised significant cause for concern. ... Read More

Legislative Memo: Preventing Discrimination On The Basis Of Sexual Orientation (2005)

This bill would amend the insurance law to prevent insurance companies from discriminating on the basis of sexual orientation. The New York Civil Liberties Union strongly supports equal protection under the law for gays, lesbians and bisexuals and we strongly urge the passage of this bill.... Read More

Legislative Memo: Dignity for All Students Act (2005)

This bill, the Dignity for All Students Act, has as its legislative intent to provide students in public elementary and secondary schools an educational environment free of discrimination and harassment. The bill would specifically prohibit discrimination and harassment, including "verbal threats intimidation or abuse," based upon a person's race, color, national origin, ethnic group, religion, religious practice, disability, sexual orientation, gender, or sex." ... Read More

Legislative Memo: Reporting Of Underage Sexual Activity (2005)

This bill was initially introduced in response to widespread reports of child abuse committed by members of the clergy. Existing law requires the reporting only of suspected abuse against a minor by a family member. The current law does not address allegations of child abuse by clergy persons or the failure of religious institutions to respond to such allegations.... Read More

Legislative Memo: Elimination of Search Protections (2005)

This bill proposes several amendments to the criminal procedure law, two of which would significantly diminish the legal constraints upon law enforcement officials when interacting with civilians and when conducting searches and seizures.... Read More

Legislative Memo: Bias-Related Violence - Civil Remedy (2005)

This bill would provide the missing legal mechanism for victims of bias-related violence or intimidation to initiate a civil action against the perpetrator. It would also provide for the reimbursement of reasonable attorney's fees.... Read More