Bill > A01007

This bill amends the New York Penal Law to expand restrictions on cannabis use near children by adding a new provision that prohibits smoking or vaping cannabis within thirty feet of a child or within thirty feet of any location where children reside or attend for recreational or educational purposes, including areas separated by walls, closed doors, or different floors within a building. The bill introduces escalating penalties for violations, with first-time offenders subject to a civil penalty of up to $25 or up to 20 hours of community service, while repeat offenders (those who violate the new thirty-foot restriction for a second time) can be charged with a class B misdemeanor. This amendment is part of ongoing efforts to protect children from potential exposure to cannabis use, building upon existing laws that already prohibit cannabis use on school grounds and school buses. The new restrictions aim to create a buffer zone around children's spaces to minimize their potential exposure to secondhand cannabis smoke or vaping. The bill will take effect 90 days after becoming law.

Housing and Urban Affairs

https://www.nysenate.gov/legislation/bills/2025/A1007