What's happening
This bill prohibits cities in New York from requiring permits or penalizing anyone for singing the national anthem or reciting the pledge of allegiance.
Why it matters
Protects expressions of patriotism. The bill ensures that individuals, groups, or organizations cannot be stopped or penalized by city governments for singing the national anthem or reciting the pledge of allegiance in public or private spaces, reinforcing the right to these specific patriotic expressions.
Overrides local permit requirements. By prohibiting cities from requiring permits for these activities, the bill removes a layer of local bureaucracy or potential obstacles that could prevent spontaneous or organized patriotic ceremonies.
Prevents punitive actions. The legislation specifically bans cities from issuing fines or other penalties for conducting these activities without a permit, reducing the risk of legal or financial consequences for those participating in such acts.
Clarifies legal protections statewide. This amendment creates a uniform standard across all New York cities, ensuring that no locality can impose stricter rules regarding the national anthem or pledge, which may matter for advocacy groups, schools, or community organizations seeking legal clarity.
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Who cares
Headline styles
No Permit for Anthem
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
1 Co-sponsor
History
- Referred to cities
- Referred to cities
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.
No Permits for Anthem, Pledge
In Senate Committee · Cities · Sponsor Simcha Felder
Full text
1 pageUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
3139
2019-2020 Regular Sessions
IN ASSEMBLY
January 28, 2019
Introduced by M. of A. COLTON, SANTABARBARA -- read once and referred to the Committee on Cities
AN ACT to amend the general city law, in relation to establishing the prohibition against requiring a permit for the singing of the national anthem or the reciting of the pledge of allegiance
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assembly, do enact as follows:
Section 1. The general city law is amended by adding a new section 20-h to read as follows:
§ 20-h. Prohibition against requiring a permit for the singing of the national anthem or the reciting of the pledge of allegiance. Any city that requires a permit for the performance of an activity that takes place on public or private land within such city, shall not apply any requirement to obtain such a permit for, and shall not levy or assess any sanction or any other penalty against any individual, group or organization for the non-permitted performance of, the singing of the national anthem of the United States of America or the reciting of the pledge of allegiance to the flag of the United States of America.
§ 2. This act shall take effect immediately.
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD02615-01-9
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.