New York Assembly Bill A09627

New York 2025-2026 Regular Session

• Introduced: 1/21/26
• Refer: 1/21/26

Caption

Restricts youth sports organizations and youth sports facilities from prohibiting attendees of youth sports events from recording personal media; provides exceptions related to safety or privacy, areas restricted to the general public, and uniform restrictions on all attendees unrelated to the purchase of a professional media package.

Impact

This legislation directly influences policies at youth sports facilities. By granting parents the right to record their children during events, the bill aims to increase parental involvement and oversight. It also provides a framework for youth sports operators to establish limited, safety-based content restrictions, such as preventing interference with play or ensuring privacy as required by law. Consequently, youth facilities will need to adapt their policies to comply with the law, which could lead to increased awareness of parents' rights within youth sports settings.

Summary

Bill A09627 establishes clear rules regarding the ability of parents and guardians to take in-person recordings or photographs of their children participating in youth sports events in New York. The bill amends the general business law to prevent youth sports operators and facilities from prohibiting such actions. It mandates that parents must be informed of their rights and that any contract or policy restricting these rights would be considered void and unenforceable against public policy. The intent of the bill is to empower parents and enhance transparency in youth sports environments.

Contention

While the bill presents significant benefits for parents, it may also raise concerns among some youth sports operators regarding liability and safety. Critics may argue that allowing unrestricted photography could disrupt the event's play or lead to misuse of footage. However, the legislation includes provisions that authorize sports operators to impose reasonable, content-neutral restrictions solely for safety reasons. This balance is intended to alleviate concerns while still protecting parental rights, indicating a compromise in the ongoing dialogue surrounding parental involvement in youth sports.