Libertarian Party of New York -- Legal Activities/Legislative Watch

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Prohibiting Common Activities

AO0422 "Requires a person under the age of fourteen to wear a helmet while operating a skateboard".

BAD
Al - This bill takes another decision away from parents and children and puts it in the hands of the state. It is another example of the "laws for your own good" attitude so prevalent in Albany. This bill will also have the unintended consequence of placing another burden on local police departments who should be catching violent criminals instead of playing Nanny to the community. This bill has gone to a 3rd reading, so check the assembly website. If the bill does not have the results of a vote on it, you still have time to lobby against it.

A07375 "Prohibits the possession, sale, barter, transfer, exchange, and import of wild animals as pets. This bill would ban a long list of pets such as snakes, reptiles, amphibians, and mammals because they "pose a serious threat to the health and welfare of New York State residents". BAD

S4767 There is debate in the homeschooling community about this bill. Some of the major homeschooling organizations (LEAH, with 3800 families in NY and HSLDA with 2200, out of an estimated homeschooling population of 20,000 kids--10,000 reporting to the NY State Education Dept.) are supporting it, but many libertarian-minded folks feel it will legalize official oversight over homeschooling, an activity that should be well within the Constitutional rights of all parents. BAD
This bill seems likely to make a judicial challenge to the current regulations more difficult. The title alone says a lot: check it out.
A contrary opinion is that if S1785 passed, S4767 is needed to protect homeschoolers

A06533 & SO3836 A bill to license Martial Arts Instructors. This bill would have the Commissioner of Education create rules and regulations related to the licensure of Martial Arts Instructors and schools. BAD
Al - This is an unnecssary violation of a relationship that has existed for thousands of years between student and teacher, and an interference with the right of parents to choose a martial arts instructor for their children. Parents are perfectly capable of deciding what martial arts school and instructor will best benefit their children. The unintended consequences of this bill will be to stifle all martial arts schools. Most schools ask students to help other students as part of their education as a martial artist, and this bill would cause schools to end that valuable practice because the students would not be certified as a teacher.
Write to Senator Lavalle, chairman of the Senate committee on Higher Education, and Assemblyman Sanders, Chairman of the Assembly Educaion Committee.

CLICK HERE to see our special project to oppose this bill.

Bill SO5849 "Makes possession of any disguised knife the class A misdemeanor of criminal possession of a weapon in the fourth degree." This bill is aimed at knives that look like pens, combs, or canes, but could be interpreted to mean a tool such as a Leatherman. BAD
Al - It means the police can arrest someone not because they have committed a crime against a person or property, but because they own a novelty knife. It obviously plays on the fear engendered by the 9-11 attacks, but this bill would do nothing to prevent an incident like that happening again. The abuse potential of this law is great. Since this bill has had its 3rd reading, it is essential that you call or fax your Senator now. It may be voted on at any time.

AO0422 "Requires a person under the age of fourteen to wear a helmet while operating a skateboard".	BAD Al - This bill takes another decision away from parents and children and puts it in the hands of the state. It is another example of the "laws for your own good" attitude so prevalent in Albany. This bill will also have the unintended consequence of placing another burden on local police departments who should be catching violent criminals instead of playing Nanny to the community. This bill has gone to a 3rd reading, so check the assembly website. If the bill does not have the results of a vote on it, you still have time to lobby against it.
A07375 "Prohibits the possession, sale, barter, transfer, exchange, and import of wild animals as pets. This bill would ban a long list of pets such as snakes, reptiles, amphibians, and mammals because they "pose a serious threat to the health and welfare of New York State residents".	BAD
S4767 There is debate in the homeschooling community about this bill. Some of the major homeschooling organizations (LEAH, with 3800 families in NY and HSLDA with 2200, out of an estimated homeschooling population of 20,000 kids--10,000 reporting to the NY State Education Dept.) are supporting it, but many libertarian-minded folks feel it will legalize official oversight over homeschooling, an activity that should be well within the Constitutional rights of all parents.	BAD This bill seems likely to make a judicial challenge to the current regulations more difficult. The title alone says a lot: check it out. A contrary opinion is that if S1785 passed, S4767 is needed to protect homeschoolers
A06533 & SO3836 A bill to license Martial Arts Instructors. This bill would have the Commissioner of Education create rules and regulations related to the licensure of Martial Arts Instructors and schools.	BAD Al - This is an unnecssary violation of a relationship that has existed for thousands of years between student and teacher, and an interference with the right of parents to choose a martial arts instructor for their children. Parents are perfectly capable of deciding what martial arts school and instructor will best benefit their children. The unintended consequences of this bill will be to stifle all martial arts schools. Most schools ask students to help other students as part of their education as a martial artist, and this bill would cause schools to end that valuable practice because the students would not be certified as a teacher. Write to Senator Lavalle, chairman of the Senate committee on Higher Education, and Assemblyman Sanders, Chairman of the Assembly Educaion Committee. CLICK HERE to see our special project to oppose this bill.
Bill SO5849 "Makes possession of any disguised knife the class A misdemeanor of criminal possession of a weapon in the fourth degree." This bill is aimed at knives that look like pens, combs, or canes, but could be interpreted to mean a tool such as a Leatherman.	BAD Al - It means the police can arrest someone not because they have committed a crime against a person or property, but because they own a novelty knife. It obviously plays on the fear engendered by the 9-11 attacks, but this bill would do nothing to prevent an incident like that happening again. The abuse potential of this law is great. Since this bill has had its 3rd reading, it is essential that you call or fax your Senator now. It may be voted on at any time.