What's happening
This bill requires cabaret establishments in New York to install and maintain digital security cameras at all patron entrances and exits.
Why it matters
Enhanced public safety and accountability. By requiring digital video surveillance at cabaret entry and exit points, the law aims to deter criminal activity, assist in investigations, and provide clear footage in the event of incidents, potentially improving patron safety and law enforcement effectiveness.
Strict standards for privacy and security. The bill includes detailed requirements for video quality, data retention, secure storage, and restricted access, with mandatory written certification by authorized staff, aiming to balance security needs with protection against misuse of footage.
Clear penalties for misuse. Unauthorized use or sharing of surveillance footage, especially in violation of criminal or civil rights laws, can result in significant fines ($5,000–$50,000) and loss of a business's license, creating strong incentives for compliance and respect for individuals’ privacy rights.
Ongoing oversight and compliance. Mandatory reporting, required signage notifying patrons of surveillance, and periodic inspections by the state liquor authority ensure that establishments remain accountable and that the surveillance measures are maintained and used properly over time.
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Who cares
Headline styles
Require Cabaret Security Cameras
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
No co-sponsors yet.
History
- Referred to commerce, economic development and small business
- Referred to commerce, economic development and small business
Companion bill
The same bill in the other chamber. A bill becomes law when one version passes both houses and the governor signs it, so either number can carry it.
Require Cabaret Security Cameras
In Assembly Committee · Economic Development · Sponsor Felix Ortiz
Full text
3 pagesUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
3493
2017-2018 Regular Sessions
IN SENATE
January 23, 2017
Introduced by Sen. BAILEY -- read twice and ordered printed, and when printed to be committed to the Committee on Commerce, Economic Development and Small Business
AN ACT to amend the alcoholic beverage control law, in relation to mandating the installation of security cameras in cabaret establishments
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assembly, do enact as follows:
Section 1. Short title. This act shall be known and may be cited as "Imette's Law".
§ 2. The alcoholic beverage control law is amended by adding a new section 64-e to read as follows:
§ 64-e. Installation of security cameras in cabaret establishments. 1. No one shall operate a cabaret licensed pursuant to this section unless all entrances and exits used by patrons are equipped with digital video surveillance cameras, provided, however, that this section shall not apply to an establishment that operates primarily as a restaurant, as defined by section sixty-four-c of this article, during all hours of operation.
2. Digital video surveillance systems shall comply with the following provisions and with the rules of the authority:
(a) the video surveillance cameras shall be digital in nature and shall be of sufficient number, type, placement and location to view and record all activity in front of and within fifteen feet of either side of each entrance or exit;
(b) the video surveillance cameras shall be sufficiently light sensitive and provide sufficient image resolution (supported by additional lighting if necessary) to produce easily discernible images recorded at all times;
(c) the video surveillance cameras shall record at a minimum speed of fifteen frames per second;
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD07807-01-7
S. 3493 2
(d) the video surveillance camera images shall be capable of being viewed through use of appropriate technology, including but not limited to a computer screen or closed circuit television monitor;
(e) the video surveillance camera system shall be capable of transferring the recorded images to a portable form of media, including but not limited to compact disc or digital video disc;
(f) the video surveillance cameras shall not have an audio capability;
(g) the video surveillance cameras shall be maintained in good working condition;
(h) except as otherwise provided by rule, the video surveillance cameras shall be in operation and recording continuously during all hours of operation of the cabaret and for two hours after the cabaret closes;
(i) the recordings made by video surveillance cameras installed and maintained pursuant to this section shall be indexed by dates and times and preserved for a minimum of thirty days so that they may be made available to the authority, the police department and other government agencies acting in furtherance of a criminal investigation or a civil or administrative law enforcement purpose;
(j) all recordings made by video surveillance cameras installed and maintained pursuant to this section while in the possession of the cabaret shall be stored in a locked receptacle located in a controlled access area, to which only authorized personnel have access, or shall otherwise be secured so that only authorized personnel may access such video recordings. All personnel authorized to access such video recordings must certify in writing that they have been informed on the appropriate use and retention of recordings as set forth in this section, and on the legal issues associated with video surveillance and the use and retention of recordings. The cabaret shall keep a log of all instances of requests for access to, and dissemination and use of, recorded materials made by video surveillance cameras installed and maintained pursuant to this section. Copies of the certifications by authorized employees and of the access log shall be provided to the authority in accordance with its rules;
(k) the use or dissemination of recordings made by video surveillance cameras installed and maintained pursuant to this section in violation of the penal law or section fifty of the civil rights law shall result in suspension or revocation of a license and a fine of not less than five thousand dollars nor more than fifty thousand dollars; and
(l) the cabaret shall post signage at appropriate locations, as determined by rule of the authority, to notify the public of its use of video surveillance equipment and the locations of video surveillance equipment so that the public has sufficient warning that surveillance is in operation.
3. Each person subject to the provisions of this section shall submit, or ensure the submission of, a report to the authority within thirty days after the effective date of this section, or, in the case of a new cabaret within thirty days after the establishment of such cabaret. Such report shall certify that the cabaret is in compliance with this section. Reports filed pursuant to this subdivision shall be submitted in such form and manner and containing such information as shall be provided by rule of the authority.
4. The authority shall conduct periodic inspections of licensees to ensure compliance with the use and retention policies set forth in this section.
S. 3493 3
§ 3. Rules and regulations. The chairman of the state liquor authority is hereby authorized and directed to promulgate rules and regulations necessary for the implementation of this act on or before the effective date of this act.
§ 4. This act shall take effect on the ninetieth day after it shall have become a law.
Reflowed for reading: line numbers and page breaks removed. Cite the official text.
Sponsor's memo
Title of bill
An act to amend the alcoholic beverage control law, in relation to mandating the installation of security cameras in cabaret establishments
Purpose or general idea of bill
To mandate that every establishment licensed to sell alcoholic beverages (except for restaurants), in a city, install security cameras at the entrances and exits of such establishments.
Summary of specific provisions
Alcoholic beverage control law is amended by adding a new Section 64-e. This section would require the installation of security cameras in alcoholic establishments that are not restaurants, and would require that the owner of such establishment submit proof to the authority that security cameras have been properly installed. It also states that the authority shall be authorized and directed to inspect such licensed premises for compliance and that they shall suspend an owner's license to serve alcohol in such establishment until proof of compliance has been properly submitted to such authority.
Justification
This legislation referred to as "Imette's Law," was inspired by the murder of Imette st. Guillen, a graduate student who was killed after leaving a bar in Manhattan in 2006. The prime suspect appears to be one of the bouncers at the bar where St. Guillen was last seen. The first bar Imette visited had security cameras inplace. If there had been security cameras at the last bar Imette was seen, this crime would likely have been solved by now, or may never have happened. This legislation would aid police in solving cases and deter similar crimes from taking place. It would also reduce late night street crimes.
Prior legislative history
2005-06: S.7046/A.10535 - Referred to Investigations and Government Operations 2007-08: A.6373(Ortiz)- Referred to Codes 2009-10: S.5371/A.2629(Ortiz)- Referred to Commerce, Economic Development and Small Business 2011-12: S.972/A.1323(Ortiz)- Referred to Commerce, Economic Development and Small Business 2013-14: S.3352/A.2911(Ortiz)- Referred to Commerce, Economic Development and Small Business 2015-16: S.2040/A.5971(Ortiz)- Referred to Commerce, Economic Development and Small Business
Fiscal implications for state and local governments
None.
Effective date
This act shall take effect on the ninetieth day after it shall have become a law.
Summaries, headlines and scores are AI-generated from the official bill text. How we score bills. Source: NYS Open Legislation.