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Bill

Bill

A 1031

Prohibits religious discrimination in recreational water parks

2025 Regular Session Introduced by William Colton and 9 co-sponsors

Bans religious discrimination at recreational water parks, ensuring patrons receive equal access and services regardless of religion.

REFERRED TO GOVERNMENTAL OPERATIONS
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Bill Summary · A 1031

Summary: New York Assembly Bill A 1031 – Prohibits religious discrimination in recreational water parks

Overview

Bill A 1031, titled Prohibits religious discrimination in recreational water parks, introduces protections against discrimination on the basis of religion for individuals using or accessing recreational water parks. The bill is currently in the committee stage, having been referred to the Governmental Operations committee.

Status and Sponsorship

  • Status: Referred to Governmental Operations (January 8, 2025)
  • Primary sponsor: Philip Ramos
  • Cosponsors: Nader Sayegh, Charles Fall, William Colton, Catalina Cruz, Vivian Cook, Simcha Eichenstein, Karines Reyes, David Weprin, Harvey Epstein
  • Related bills (from prior sessions): A 6591, A 4476, A 3931

What the Bill Would Do (High-Level)

  • Purpose: To ensure that recreational water parks avoid religious discrimination and provide access and services without regard to an individual’s religious beliefs or practices.
  • Scope: While the exact definitions are contained in the bill text, the title suggests the protection would apply to individuals using or patronizing recreational water parks. The bill would define what constitutes a recreational water park and what counts as discrimination.
  • Core intent: To prohibit certain discriminatory conduct by park operators or their agents and to promote equal access to facilities, programs, and services.

Key Provisions (Contextual, Pending Text)

  • Prohibited conduct: The bill would likely prohibit actions or admissions decisions, service denial, or discriminatory treatment based on religion in the operation or management of recreational water parks.
  • Enforcement and remedies: Specific enforcement mechanisms (e.g., investigations, civil penalties, injunctive relief, or private rights of action) and any remedies would be defined in the actual text.
  • Exemptions and safety considerations: Many anti-discrimination measures include exemptions or carve-outs related to safety rules, required licenses, or religious organizations in certain contexts; the precise exemptions (if any) would appear in the bill.
  • Definitions: The bill would define “religion,” “discrimination,” and “recreational water parks” to establish its scope and applicability.

Who Would Be Affected

  • Individuals: Patrons, visitors, and participants in recreational water parks who may be protected from religious discrimination.
  • Operators and staff: Municipal or private operators of water parks, front-line staff, and decision-makers responsible for admissions, services, and enforcement of park rules.
  • Government agencies: Entities responsible for enforcing anti-discrimination provisions and handling complaints.

Procedural and Timeline Aspects

  • Introduction date: January 8, 2025
  • Current stage: Referred to Governmental Operations; no public committee votes or updates recorded in the provided information.
  • Next steps: The bill would proceed through committee consideration, potential amendments, floor votes in the Assembly, and, if advanced, movement to the Senate and eventual enactment.

Additional Notes

  • Related measures from prior sessions (A 6591, A 4476, A 3931) may offer context on the policy approach and prior language considered by the legislature.
  • For exact definitions, prohibited conduct, enforcement, penalties, and exemptions, the full bill text should be consulted once available.

How to Track Updates

  • Monitor the Assembly’s bill status page for A 1031.
  • Review committee hearings and amendments in Governmental Operations.
  • Compare with related bills (A 6591, A 4476, A 3931) for evolving language and policy considerations.

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

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