Scarsdale, NY – Assemblymember Amy Paulin (D-Scarsdale) announces passage of her legislation (A.10498A) to allow business corporations, not-for-profit corporations, and religious corporations to hold electronic meetings for the duration of the COVID-19 state disaster emergency.

In the last several weeks, COVID-19 has upended the lives of all New Yorkers and forced families, businesses, and entire communities to alter or outright halt their normal operations and functions. Appropriate social distancing measures must stay in effect so that we can ensure the health and wellbeing of our communities.

Although the Governor has issued executive orders to allow for corporations and not-for-profits to hold electronic meetings, executive orders can only be issued for thirty-day periods and corporations are unable to plan for meetings beyond that time. There have been no executive orders issued to authorize religious institutions to hold their meetings electronically. “This expansion is crucial for religious institutions as many within my district are required to hold annual meetings and are unsure of how to plan for or facilitate them,” Assemblymember Paulin said. “This will provide corporations, religious institutions, and non-profits some certainty in how to plan future meetings and move forward in this uncertain time.”

This legislation would amend the business corporation law, the not-for-profit corporation law, and the religious corporation law for the duration of the COVID-19 state disaster emergency and reopening period, expiring December 31, 2021. Within this period of time, business corporations, not-for-profit corporations, and religious institutions can hold meetings via electronic communication. By allowing these entities to utilize an alternative to in-person meetings, they can plan for future meetings while ensuring that smart, safe social distancing practices will continue.

This legislation was sponsored in the Senate by Senator Brian Benjamin.