On May 5, advocates from Kol Yisroel, led by Shmulie Hartstein, met with Congressman Mike Lawler to discuss legislation S.10067/A.10548, which seeks to protect access to houses of worship across New York State.

Following the meeting, Congressman Lawler sent a letter to Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie, Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins, Assembly Codes Committee Chair Jeffrey Dinowitz, and Senate Codes Committee Chair Zellnor Myrie expressing support for the legislation and efforts to strengthen protections for religious institutions.

In the letter, Lawler stated that all New Yorkers should be able to attend religious services “without fear of harassment, intimidation, or obstruction.”

Kol Yisroel thanked Congressman Lawler for backing the legislation and supporting religious liberty. “This legislation is about protecting every New Yorker’s right to safely practice their faith,” Hartstein said. “We appreciate Congressman Lawler’s leadership and support on this important issue.”

The legislation was introduced in the Senate by Monica Martinez and in the Assembly by George Alvarez.