N.Y. Penal Law Section 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.

Source: Section 240.69 — Criminal interference with access to a place of religious worship, https://www.­nysenate.­gov/legislation/laws/PEN/240.­69 (updated May 29, 2026; accessed Jul. 25, 2026).

240.00
Offenses against public order 240.05
Riot in the second degree 240.06
Riot in the first degree 240.08
Inciting to riot 240.10
Unlawful assembly 240.15
Criminal anarchy 240.20
Disorderly conduct 240.21
Disruption or disturbance of a religious service, funeral, burial or memorial service 240.25
Harassment in the first degree 240.26
Harassment in the second degree 240.30
Aggravated harassment in the second degree 240.31
Aggravated harassment in the first degree 240.32
Aggravated harassment of an employee by an incarcerated individual 240.33
Aggravated harassment of a judge 240.35
Loitering 240.36
Loitering in the first degree 240.40
Appearance in public under the influence of narcotics or a drug other than alcohol 240.45
Criminal nuisance in the second degree 240.46
Criminal nuisance in the first degree 240.48
Disseminating a false registered sex offender notice 240.50
Falsely reporting an incident in the third degree 240.55
Falsely reporting an incident in the second degree 240.60
Falsely reporting an incident in the first degree 240.61
Placing a false bomb or hazardous substance in the second degree 240.62
Placing a false bomb or hazardous substance in the first degree 240.63
Placing a false bomb or hazardous substance in a sports stadium or arena, mass transportation facility or enclosed shopping mall 240.65
Unlawful prevention of public access to records 240.69
Criminal interference with access to a place of religious worship 240.70
Criminal interference with health care services or religious worship in the second degree 240.71
Criminal interference with health care services or religious worship in the first degree 240.72
Aggravated interference with health care services in the second degree 240.73
Aggravated interference with health care services in the first degree 240.75
Aggravated family offense 240.76
Directing a laser at an aircraft in the second degree 240.77
Directing a laser at an aircraft in the first degree 240.78
Making a threat of mass harm 240.79
Aggravated threat of mass harm
Green check means up to date. Up to date

Verified:
Jul. 25, 2026

Last modified:
May 29, 2026

§ 240.69. Crim. interference with access to a place of religious worship's source at nysenate​.gov

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