What's happening
This bill affirms New York State's sole jurisdiction over cemetery regulation and removes the word "public" from burial grounds in the law.
Why it matters
Centralizes regulatory authority over cemeteries in New York State. , which means local governments or other entities will no longer have regulatory power—potentially streamlining oversight but also limiting local input or flexibility.
Expands state oversight to all burial grounds, not just "public" ones. , so private or previously unregulated cemeteries will now fall under state jurisdiction, affecting their operations and possibly increasing compliance requirements.
Could reduce variance in cemetery management and standards across the state. , as statewide rules would replace any local or differing regulations, potentially impacting how cemeteries are maintained and preserved.
May affect stakeholders such as religious organizations, private cemetery owners, or local municipalities. by changing who they interact with on regulatory issues and possibly altering funding, maintenance responsibilities, or dispute resolution processes.
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Who cares
State cemetery regulators
The bill would expressly give the state sole jurisdiction over cemetery regulation under this article of the not-for-profit corporation law.
State-regulated cemetery corporations
The bill would place their regulation exclusively under state jurisdiction.
Local governments
The sole-jurisdiction provision would limit their role in regulating cemeteries covered by the article.
Cemetery plot owners
The bill would affirm exclusive state oversight within a framework requiring cemeteries to operate on a nonprofit basis for plot owners’ mutual benefit.
Headline styles
State Controls Cemetery Regulation
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
History
- Referred to corporations, authorities and commissions
- Referred to corporations, authorities and commissions
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.
State Controls Cemetery Oversight
In Senate Committee · Corporations, Authorities And Commissions · Sponsor Michael H. Ranzenhofer
Full text
1 pageUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
613
2019-2020 Regular Sessions
IN ASSEMBLY (Prefiled)
January 9, 2019
Introduced by M. of A. PAULIN, SEAWRIGHT, D'URSO, ORTIZ, CROUCH, COOK -read once and referred to the Committee on Corporations, Authorities and Commissions
AN ACT to amend the not-for-profit corporation law, in relation to the regulation of cemetery corporations
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assembly, do enact as follows:
Section 1. Section 1501 of the not-for-profit corporation law, as added by chapter 871 of the laws of 1977, is amended to read as follows: § 1501. Declaration of policy.
The people of this state have a vital interest in the establishment, maintenance and preservation of [public] burial grounds and the proper operation of the corporations which own and manage the same. This article is determined an exercise of the police powers of this state to protect the well-being of our citizens, to promote the public welfare and to prevent cemeteries from falling into disrepair and dilapidation and becoming a burden upon the community, and in furtherance of the public policy of this state that cemeteries shall be conducted on a non-profit basis for the mutual benefit of plot owners therein. This vital interest shall be protected and the uniqueness of these entities shall be affirmed by providing the state with the responsibility for sole jurisdiction of the regulation of cemeteries as set forth in this article.
§ 2. This act shall take effect immediately.
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD00823-01-9
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.