New York Democrat Pushes Bill That Would Allow Governor to Detain People Suspected of Having Contagious Illness

A bill brought forward by a Democrat New York lawmaker would allow the governor to detain or force-medicate anyone they deemed to be a public health threat.

“So disturbing. NY bill allows for the *removal and detention* of anyone who ‘may be a danger to public health.’ Yes, that’s purposely undefined,” conservative podcast host Allie Beth said in reaction to the proposed legislation. “Yes, it will be used, at least one day, to forcibly remove you or your children from your home for whatever reason the state sees fit.”

So disturbing. NY bill allows for the *removal and detention* of anyone who “may be a danger to public health.” Yes, that’s purposely undefined. Yes, it will be used, at least one day, to forcibly remove you or your children from your home for whatever reason the state sees fit. https://t.co/6fgl0RP8fx

— Allie Beth Stuckey (@conservmillen) January 3, 2021

The controversial bill, brought by State Assemblyman N. Nick Perry, is set to be taken up by the Health Committee this week.

From Fox News:

Many critics of the bill tied it to austere measures taken by local and state officials with regards to the coronavirus pandemic, although earlier versions of the bill were introduced as far back as the 2015-2016 legislative session.

“[T]his bill was initially introduced to address public health concerns related to the containment of the Ebola virus after it was discovered that Ebola-infected persons had entered the United States,” Perry told Fox News in a statement. “I am an American who understands our Constitution is sacred, and provides us with the right to agree or disagree, and hold different positions on issues that may relate to our civil and constitutional rights.”

“There is no intent, no plan, or provisions in my bill to take away, or violate any rights, or liberties that all Americans are entitled to under our Constitution, either state or federal,” Perry continued.

The bill requires the governor “or his or her delegee” to apply for a court order authorizing a detention within three business days.

Perry’s assurances haven’t calmed the fears of Republican critics, with one New York Assemblyman referring to it as the “GulagBill.”

“If the GulagBill became law, useful idiots in the press would likely provide cover and rationalize the need for the legislation. By the time the constitutionality of detaining people without due process was adjudicated by the courts, it would be too late. New Yorkers would have suffered years of unspeakable abuses to their liberties,” wrote Republican Kieran Michael Lalor.

Gov. Andrew Cuomo adviser Richard Azzopardi told the Washington Examiner that his office “didn’t even know about this bill, which has no sponsor in the Senate, until this weekend.”

“It apparently has been around six years, never left the first step of the committee process, and everyone’s crazy uncle needs to knock it off, close Parler, and take a walk or something,” Azzopardi continued. “We have real things to do.”