New York Civil Liberties Union

Gov. Kathy Hochul and Attorney General Letitia James announced final rules for the SAFE for Kids Act, requiring social media companies to implement age verification methods and restrict harmful algorithms for users under 18. The rules take effect in January 2027 and include exceptions for underage users with parental consent. The legislation aims to protect children from addictive and harmful content, though critics argue it limits free speech and fails to address harm effectively.

A New York civil rights group advocates for statewide reparations, citing historical ties to slavery and systemic discrimination that contribute to a 15-fold wealth gap between Black and White residents. The NYCLU and LDF report highlights redlining, underfunded schools, and environmental inequities as root causes of persistent racial disparities.

The New York Civil Liberties Union and the Legal Defense Fund released a report outlining how historical injustices and systemic policies have exacerbated the racial wealth gap and segregation in New York State. The report supports calls for reparations amid stalled official action.

The New York Civil Liberties Union (NYCLU) criticized New York officials for delaying the release of a state reparations report until 2029, calling the extension a 'disservice' to Black communities. The delay, embedded in the state budget, adds three years to the timeline for a report examining slavery's legacy and proposing remedies. NYCLU's Chantelle Williams emphasized ongoing harm from discrimination and questioned lawmakers' commitment to addressing systemic inequality.

A federal judge blocked a Trump administration subpoena seeking medical records of transgender youth from NYU Langone, citing concerns the government aimed to target transgender individuals. The New York Civil Liberties Union argued the subpoena violated privacy rights and sought to undermine gender-affirming care.

A federal court blocked Nassau County’s buffer zone bill, which prohibited protests within 100 feet of houses of worship, citing First Amendment concerns. The court’s preliminary ruling, issued by U.S. District Judge Sanket Bulsara, emphasized the law’s overly broad restrictions on free speech and its potential to block protest on public streets, while Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman criticized the decision and vowed to continue defending the law.

Transgender patients and families are suing NYU Langone Hospital and the Department of Justice to block a federal subpoena demanding medical records of minors who received gender-affirming care since 2020. The lawsuit alleges the subpoena violates civil rights, breaches physician-patient privilege, and represents a government overreach aimed at ending gender-affirming care, with the New York Civil Liberties Union and Lambda Legal representing the plaintiffs.

New York has enacted a law criminalizing obstruction of access to houses of worship, including synagogues and mosques, following protests over events promoting emigration to Israel and the West Bank. The law allows 50-foot security perimeters around such sites but faces criticism for potentially limiting free speech, with opponents like the New York Civil Liberties Union arguing it could suppress activism.

A federal judge has banned most arrests by federal agents in immigration courts in New York, citing a strong interest in allowing individuals to attend removal proceedings without fear of arrest. The decision brings an end to a practice begun under the Trump administration. The ruling applies to three Manhattan buildings where immigration proceedings occur.