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A 8618

Prohibits a person from defacing or damaging a fine art or historical monument

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Alec Brook-Krasny and 4 co-sponsors

A 8618 bans defacing or damaging fine art or historical monuments, deterring vandalism and protecting cultural assets for the public and future generations.

REFERRED TO CODES
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WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · A 8618

Bill Summary: A 8618 – Prohibits Defacing or Damaging a Fine Art or Historical Monument

  • Bill number and title: A 8618, Prohibits a person from defacing or damaging a fine art or historical monument
  • Introduced: May 22, 2025
  • Status: Referred to the Codes Committee
  • Jurisdiction context: This appears to be a New York State Assembly bill (prefix “A” and committee “Codes” reference)

Purpose and intent

  • The bill is designed to protect cultural resources by making it unlawful to deface or damage fine art or historical monuments. By establishing an offense, the measure aims to deter vandalism and preserve artistic and historical assets for the public and future generations.

What the bill would do (key provisions)

  • Based on the information provided, the full text of the bill is not included here. Therefore, exact provisions, definitions, exceptions, and penalties are not specified.
  • In general, a bill with this scope would typically address:
    • Definitions of terms such as “defacing,” “damaging,” “fine art,” and “historical monument”
    • The conduct that would be prohibited (e.g., vandalism, graffiti, destruction)
    • Enforcement mechanisms (who can arrest, how cases are prosecuted)
    • Penalties (fines, jail time, probation)
    • Any defenses or exemptions (e.g., authorized activities, art restoration with permits)
    • Potential civil remedies or preservation requirements
  • The current available information does not provide these specifics, so readers should consult the bill’s text for precise language.

Affected parties and impact

  • Individuals: Likely to face criminal liability for actions that deface or damage qualifying artworks or monuments.
  • Public and private entities: Museums, galleries, historical societies, city/county landmarks, and property owners would be impacted insofar as their assets are protected under the statute.
  • Enforcement agencies: Law enforcement and prosecutors would apply and interpret the new prohibition, along with any defined penalties.
  • Public policy effects: The measure could influence vandalism prevention strategies, urban aesthetics, tourism-related sites, and preservation funding decisions.

Procedural/timeline notes

  • Introduced: May 22, 2025
  • Committee referral: Referred to the Codes Committee on May 22, 2025 (listed twice in the record)
  • Next steps: If the bill advances, it would typically move through committee hearings, potential amendments, and floor votes in the Assembly; then similarly proceed through the Senate if applicable, before any potential enactment. The exact timeline depends on legislative scheduling and committee action.

Sponsors

  • Primary sponsor: Michael Novakhov
  • Cosponsors: Daniel Norber, Eric Brown, Alec Brook-Krasny, Lester Chang

Notes

  • The summary above reflects the information provided. For a complete and precise understanding, please review the bill’s full text and any fiscal notes or amendments filed by the sponsor.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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