§ 610. Freedom of worship. 1. All persons who may have been or may\nhereafter be committed to or taken charge of by any of the institutions\nmentioned in this section, are hereby declared to be and entitled to the\nfree exercise and enjoyment of religious profession and worship, without\ndiscrimination or preference.\n 2. This section shall be deemed to apply to every incorporated or\nunincorporated society for the reformation of its inmates, as well as\nhouses of refuge, penitentiaries, protectories, reformatories or other\ncorrectional institutions, continuing to receive for its use, either\npublic moneys, or a per capita sum from any municipality for the support\nof inmates.\n 3. The rules and regulations established for the government of the\ninstitutions mentioned in this section shall recognize the right of the\ninmates to the free exercise of their religious belief, and to worship\nGod according to the dictates of their consciences, including baptism by\nimmersion, in accordance with the provisions of the constitution; and\nshall allow religious services on Sunday and for private ministration to\nthe inmates in such manner as may best carry into effect the spirit and\nintent of this section and be consistent with the proper discipline and\nmanagement of the institution; and the inmates of such institutions\nshall be allowed such religious services and spiritual advice and\nspiritual ministration from some recognized clergyman of the\ndenomination or church which said inmates may respectively prefer or to\nwhich they may have belonged prior to their being confined in such\ninstitutions; but if any of such inmates shall be minors under the age\nof sixteen years, then such services, advice and spiritual ministration\nshall be allowed in accordance with the methods and rites of the\nparticular denomination or church which the parents or guardians of such\nminors may select; such services to be held and such advice and\nministration to be given within the buildings or grounds, whenever\npossible, where the inmates are required by law to be confined, in such\nmanner and at such hours as will be in harmony, as aforesaid, with the\ndiscipline and the rules and regulations of the institution and secure\nto such inmates free exercise of their religious beliefs in accordance\nwith the provisions of this section. In case of a violation of any of\nthe provisions of this section any person feeling himself aggrieved\nthereby may institute proceedings in the supreme court of the district\nwhere such institution is situated, which is hereby authorized and\nempowered to enforce the provisions of this section.\n
N.Y. Correct. Law § 610
Freedom of worship
Showing this section's text as in effect on January 1, 2015 (in force January 1, 2015 – January 1, 2022). View current text →
Official source: NYS Open Legislation (New York State Senate). Reproduced from public-domain New York statutes; confirm against the official source for the current text. Not legal advice.