What's happening
This bill allows authorized media representatives access to areas closed during public emergencies in New York State.
Why it matters
Ensures media access during emergencies. By guaranteeing that authorized journalists can enter restricted areas during public emergencies, the bill supports independent reporting even when access is otherwise tightly controlled.
Promotes transparency and accountability. Allowing the media into closed-off zones can help ensure that government actions and emergency responses remain subject to public scrutiny, reducing the risk of misconduct or lack of oversight.
Supports the public’s right to know. With journalists able to report directly from affected areas, the public receives timely, firsthand information about emergency situations, which can be crucial for safety, awareness, and informed decision-making.
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Who cares
Radio and television news organizations
The bill would allow their duly authorized representatives to enter areas restricted, regulated or controlled under Executive Law section 24.
Newspapers and news services
Their duly authorized representatives would gain the same access to cover emergencies from inside restricted areas.
Local officials and agencies enforcing emergency restrictions
They could not use restrictions under section 24 to prevent duly authorized media representatives from entering affected areas.
Headline styles
Let Media Enter Emergency Zones
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
No co-sponsors yet.
History
- Referred to governmental operations
- Referred to governmental operations
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 Media Enter Emergency Zones
In Senate Committee · Veterans, Homeland Security And Military Affairs · Sponsor Kenneth P. LaValle
Full text
1 pageUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
S. 6236 A. 7889
2019-2020 Regular Sessions
SENATE - ASSEMBLY
May 28, 2019
IN SENATE -- Introduced by Sen. LAVALLE -- read twice and ordered printed, and when printed to be committed to the Committee on Veterans, Homeland Security and Military Affairs
IN ASSEMBLY -- Introduced by M. of A. THIELE -- read once and referred to the Committee on Governmental Operations
AN ACT to amend the executive law, in relation to allowing representatives of the media authorized access to areas closed during public emergencies
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assembly, do enact as follows:
Section 1. Section 24 of the executive law is amended by adding a new subdivision 2-a to read as follows:
2-a. Nothing shall prevent a duly authorized representative of any radio, television, newspaper or news service media from entering any areas which have been restricted, regulated or controlled pursuant to this section.
§ 2. This act shall take effect immediately.
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD11625-01-9
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.