{"jurisdiction": "us-ny", "code": "penal", "section": "240.69", "citation": "Penal Law § 240.69", "heading": "Criminal interference with access to a place of religious worship", "text": ["§ 240.69 Criminal interference with access to a place of religious", "worship.", "1. A person is guilty of criminal interference with access to a place of religious worship when such person, with respect to an individual who was or is seeking to enter into or exit from a place of religious worship:", "(a) knowingly or intentionally obstructs or otherwise interferes with the entryway into or exit from a place of religious worship, for the purpose of rendering passage by that individual unreasonably difficult or hazardous; or", "(b) within fifty feet from a place of religious worship, knowingly or intentionally engages in a course of conduct that places that individual in reasonable fear for their safety.", "2. For purposes of this section, the term \"security perimeter\" shall mean an area that is established by a law enforcement agency in response to, or in anticipation of, a demonstration outside of a place of religious worship, within which demonstration activity is not allowed.", "3. Nothing in this section shall limit the authority or discretion of law enforcement agencies for the purpose of public safety to establish security perimeters, including security perimeters that extend beyond fifty feet of distance from a place of religious worship.", "Criminal interference with access to a place of religious worship is a class B misdemeanor."], "official_source": "https://www.nysenate.gov/legislation/laws/PEN/240.69", "from_official_api": true, "plain_english": "This section protects people entering or leaving a **place of religious worship**.\n- **(1)** A person is guilty when, toward someone seeking to enter or exit a place of religious worship, they **(a)** **knowingly or intentionally obstruct or interfere with the entry or exit** to make that person's passage **unreasonably difficult or hazardous**, or **(b)** **within 50 feet** of the place, **knowingly or intentionally engage in a course of conduct** placing that person in **reasonable fear for their safety**. ★\n- **(2)** A **security perimeter** is an area set by a law enforcement agency in response to or anticipation of a demonstration outside a place of worship, inside which **demonstration activity is not allowed**.\n- **(3)** Nothing here limits law enforcement's authority to set security perimeters for public safety, **including ones beyond 50 feet**.\nThe offense is a **class B misdemeanor**. ★", "in_force_on": "2026-05-31", "retrieved": "2026-09-27", "url": "https://elyphived.com/us-ny/penal/240.69", "publisher": "Elyphived LLC"}