What's happening
This bill allows businesses and organizations in New York to require masks during the COVID-19 emergency and refuse entry to non-compliant individuals, with exceptions for young children and those medically unable to comply.
Why it matters
Empowers businesses and nonprofits to protect employees and patrons. by allowing them to set mask requirements during the COVID-19 emergency, which could help reduce transmission and support public health efforts.
Clarifies legal authority for entry refusal. , giving businesses explicit backing to deny entry or remove individuals who refuse to comply with mask policies, potentially reducing confrontations and liability concerns.
Protects vulnerable populations and ensures accessibility. by exempting children under two and those medically unable to tolerate masks, balancing public safety with individual health needs.
Requires clear communication. through posted signage at entrances, helping ensure that customers and visitors are aware of mask requirements before entering, which may improve compliance and minimize disputes.
Albany, before your first meeting.
Every bill that moved yesterday, summarized in a sentence and ranked by impact. The Albany Scorecard follows on Sundays.
Free. Unsubscribe in one click. Want alerts on specific bills? Create an account.
Who cares
Headline styles
Let Businesses Require Masks
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
1 Co-sponsor
History
- Referred to economic development
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.
Let Businesses Require Masks
In Senate Committee · Rules · Sponsor Todd Kaminsky
Full text
2 pagesUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
10694
IN ASSEMBLY
July 1, 2020
Introduced by COMMITTEE ON RULES -- (at request of M. of A. L. Rosenthal) -- read once and referred to the Committee on Economic Development
AN ACT to amend the general business law, in relation to authorizing certain entities to require the wearing of face coverings and face masks; and providing for the repeal of such provisions upon expiration thereof
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assembly, do enact as follows:
Section 1. The general business law is amended by adding a new section 390-d to read as follows:
§ 390-d. Face coverings and masks. 1. Notwithstanding any other federal, state or local law, rule or regulation to the contrary, any firm, business, corporation, association, entity or not-for-profit corporation may require any employee, vendor or customer entering a place of business owned by such firm, business, corporation, association, entity or not-for-profit corporation to cover their mouth and nose with a mask or face covering during the novel coronavirus, COVID-19 state disaster emergency declared by the governor on March seventh, two thousand twenty; provided, however, that such requirements shall only apply to children over the age of two and to persons who are able to medically tolerate wearing a mask or face covering.
2. Any firm, business, corporation, association, entity or not-forprofit corporation may prohibit the entrance of persons to their facility, or ask a person to leave the premises of their facility, if such person refuses to cover their mouth and nose with a mask or face covering unless such person is under the age of two or unable to medically tolerate wearing a mask or face covering.
3. Nothing in this section shall be deemed to overrule article four of the civil rights law.
4. Any firm, business, corporation, association, entity or not-forprofit corporation requiring the wearing of a mask or face covering shall place a sign or poster at the entrance of the premises where the
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD16557-04-0
A. 10694 2
wearing of a mask or face covering is required. Such sign or poster shall be in plain sight and in conspicuous lettering.
§ 2. This act shall take effect immediately, provided, however, that section one of this act shall be subject to the expiration of the state disaster emergency declared for the entire state by executive order number 202 and any further amendments or modifications, and as may be further extended pursuant to section 28 of the executive law, and shall be deemed to expire and repeal therewith; provided, further, that the commissioner of health shall notify the legislative bill drafting commission upon the occurrence of the expiration of the state disaster emergency declared for the entire state by executive order number 202 and any further amendments or modifications, and as may be further extended pursuant to section 28 of the executive law, in order that the commission may maintain an accurate and timely effective data base of the official text of the laws of the state of New York in furtherance of effectuating the provisions of section 44 of the legislative law and section 70-b of the public officers law.
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.