What's happening
This bill allows residents to sue for damages if a neighbor installs cameras or drones aimed at their property without consent.
Why it matters
Empowers individuals to protect their privacy. by giving homeowners and tenants the legal right to sue neighbors who install cameras or drones aimed at their property without consent, potentially deterring unwanted surveillance.
Addresses growing concerns about intrusive technology. such as drones and advanced security cameras, reflecting the need for updated laws as these devices become more affordable and widespread in residential areas.
Excludes law enforcement from liability. , ensuring that police and other authorities retain their ability to conduct lawful surveillance as part of official duties, but placing clear limits on private citizens.
May impact neighbor relations and property management. , as residents must now consider legal risks before installing surveillance equipment, possibly leading to more communication and negotiation between neighbors about privacy boundaries.
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Who cares
Residential property owners and tenants
The bill would let them sue for damages over a fixed-mounted camera or drone pointed into their yard or windows without their written consent.
Neighbors installing cameras or drones
They could face damages claims for pointing those devices into a neighbor’s yard or windows without that neighbor’s written consent.
Law enforcement personnel
They would be exempt from this private right of action when engaged in authorized duties.
Headline styles
Let Neighbors Sue for Spying
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
1 Co-sponsor
History
- Referred to judiciary
- Referred to judiciary
Full text
1 pageUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
4642
2017-2018 Regular Sessions
IN ASSEMBLY
February 3, 2017
Introduced by M. of A. CURRAN -- read once and referred to the Committee on Judiciary
AN ACT to amend the civil rights law, in relation to establishing private right of action for unwarranted surveillance of a neighbor
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assembly, do enact as follows:
Section 1. The civil rights law is amended by adding a new section 52-a to read as follows:
§ 52-a. Private right of action for unwarranted surveillance of a neighbor. Any owner or tenant of residential real property shall have a private right of action for damages against any person who installs any fixed mounted camera or drone pointed in a neighbor's yard or in a neighbor's window or windows without written consent of the surveilled neighbor. The provisions of this section shall not apply to any law enforcement personnel engaged in the conduct of their authorized duties.
§ 2. This act shall take effect on the thirtieth day after it shall have become a law, and shall apply to acts occurring on or after such date.
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD08558-01-7
Reflowed for reading: line numbers and page breaks removed. Cite the official text.
Summaries, headlines and scores are AI-generated from the official bill text. How we score bills. Source: NYS Open Legislation.