Tele free heelers have the same leash requirements. Also alpine skis that have broken ski brakes can satisfy the NY state law with a leash.The very fact that they do not take the time to think this through means they are just being pains in the a$$es to riders...
The NY state leash law has been in affect long before Burton marketed the snowboard and long before the invention of alpine fixed heel ski brakes. If you attempted to get on the chair lift in the 1960s without a leash on each ski they would not let you on the lift.
Its kind of funny how snowboarders think everyone is out to get them.