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Senate bill · S5555 (2025-26)

Relates to disorderly conduct

New York State Senate

Latest action May 18, 2026

Sponsor: Stephen T. Chan (State Senator, District 17, Republican/Conservative)

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From NY Open Legislation, the NY Senate and Assembly, and official rosters. This record was last updated Oct 19, 2026. About our data

Summary

Adds offenses to disorderly conduct, including urination and defecation in a public place; smoking any substance in a prohibited area; possessing an open container of alcohol in a public place; smoking marijuana in a public place; or disobeying signage, including but not limited to, printed notices and placards, in any municipal or state park.

Summary from NY Open Legislation. How we handle summaries

Amends the Penal Law.

Purpose, from the sponsor's memo

To enhance public safety and maintain order by updating the definition of disorderly conduct to include public urination and defecation, smok- ing in prohibited areas, possession of an open container of alcohol in public, smoking marijuana in public, and disobeying signage in NYC or State public parks. The bill also clarifies that littering falls under the category of creating hazardous or physically offensive conditions and includes jaywalking under the obstruction of vehicular or pedestri- an, traffic.

Filed with the bill. Read it on nysenate.gov (opens in a new tab)

Where it stands

Assigned to a committee for review.

  1. Introduced
  2. In committee
  3. Up for a vote
  4. Passed one chamber
  5. Passed
  6. Enacted

Committee

Codes · New York State Assembly

Also referred to Codes · New York State Senate.

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Cosponsors

Showing the cosponsors who are on Agora, A to Z. The official record may list more.

Read on NY Senate (opens in a new tab)
  • Republican3

Shown in neutral colors by design; Agora is non-partisan.

The sponsor's argument

Why Stephen T. Chan says this is needed

Public disorderly conduct is a growing concern in New York State. Current statutes do not adequately address certain behaviors that contribute to public nuisance and quality-of-life issues. 1. Public Urination and Defecation: These actions create unsanitary and offensive conditions in public spaces, posing a health risk to residents and -visitors. 2. Smoking in Prohibited Areas: Many areas, such as parks and transit stations, have clear restrictions on smoking, yet enforcement remains difficult without explicit statutory authority. 3. Open Container of Alcohol in Public: Public drinking contributes to disorderly behavior and disturbances, increasing the burden on law enforcement. 4. Smoldng Marijuana in Public: While marijuana is now legal in New York, it should be prohibited in public spaces except where specifically designated. This provision ensures that members of the public will not be exposed to offensive secondhand smoke. 5. Disobeying Signage in Public Parks: Public parks have regulations designed to ensure safety and enjoyment for all visitors. Violations of posted signage undermine these efforts. 6. Littering as a Hazardous Condition: Littering negatively impacts the environment, property values, and public health. Explicitly including littering in subdivision 7 strengthens enforcement 7. Jaywalking as an Obstruction: Jaywalking increases pedestrian acci- dents and traffic congestion. Adding it to subdivision 5 clarifies its place within disorderly conduct.

This is the sponsor's own case for the bill, quoted from their memorandum. It is not Agora's description of what the bill does.

Recorded votes

  • Vote: Committee vote · Codes

    Senate CodesMay 18, 2026Result: failed

    (4) (9) (0) (0)

Full history

  1. May 18, 2026

    Defeated in Codes

    DEFEATED IN CODES

    NY Senate

  2. Feb 24, 2026

    In committee

    NOTICE OF COMMITTEE CONSIDERATION - REQUESTED

    NY Senate

  3. Jan 7, 2026

    Referred to committee

    REFERRED TO CODES

    NY Senate

  4. Feb 24, 2025

    Referred to committee

    REFERRED TO CODES

    NY Senate

Read the record