Council Will Also Vote on Bill Requiring Carbon Monoxide Detectors in Public Assembly Places

New York, NY- Today, City Council will introduce legislation to create a city-wide Municipal Identification Card program. The Council will also vote on legislation to require carbon monoxide detectors in assembly spaces.

Council to Introduce Municipal ID Legislation

For various reasons, many current New York City residents are unable to obtain New York State photo identification cards. This makes it difficult for countless New Yorkers to access basic public services. Legislation being introduced today would create a city-wide municipal identity card program. The New York City Identity Card Program would offer identification cards to anyone living in the 5 boroughs. City agencies would be required to accept these municipal identification cards in any situation where identification is needed to access public services.

“This landmark legislation to create the New York City Identity Card Program will go a long way towards helping New Yorkers access city services while also giving identification to those who have not had one before,” said Council Speaker Mark-Viverito. “We’re a city that believes in including everyone and this legislation will ensure that New Yorkers don’t fall through the cracks. I’m very proud that the City Council is going to be considering this legislation and I’m looking forward to working with my colleagues to get this passed.”

“The municipal identification card legislation that is being introduced today with the support of City Council Speaker Melissa Mark-Viverito and Immigration Committee Chair Carlos Menchaca is a huge step forward for all New Yorkers,” said Council Member Daniel Dromm (D-Jackson Heights, Elmhurst). “When passed by the Council, this legislation will provide identification that will allow all New Yorkers access to city services, enter schools and other buildings. It is a benefit that I hope all residents will secure. I look forward to getting my card in the near future!”

“I am proud to stand with City Council Speaker Melissa Mark Viverito and Council Member Daniel Dromm to introduce legislation that would create New York City’s first municipal identification card program. Government identification is a gateway to critical services—from opening a bank account to accessing healthcare to entering government buildings, like public schools. With our partners in the advocacy community and the Mayor’s Office, the City Council will help to ensure that we launch the largest and most successful identification card program of its kind,” said Council Member Carlos Menchaca.

Council to Vote on Carbon Monoxide Legislation

Carbon monoxide is a colorless, odorless and tasteless gas that is toxic to persons at high concentrations. A carbon monoxide detector system consists of one or more detector units in a building or space that will sound an alarm when carbon monoxide concentrations are high. This bill would require any newly constructed assembly space that is required to be equipped with a fire alarm system to install a carbon monoxide detector system as well. Both the fire alarm system and the carbon monoxide detector system can utilize the same infrastructure and central supervising station. The bill would also require that existing assembly spaces in buildings equipped with fire alarm systems install a carbon monoxide detector system when the fire alarm system is replaced.

“This bill is about protecting residents of this city in their everyday lives,” said Council Speaker Melissa Mark-Viverito. “When New Yorkers stop by the gym, to work out, or take their kids to the movies, or go out to dinner with friends, all of these facilities would be equipped with carbon monoxide detectors thanks to this bill.”

“We have witnessed far too many tragedies and near-misses because people were unaware of the presence of dangerous levels of carbon monoxide. Fortunately, there is a very simple and relatively inexpensive protection against this colorless, odorless, silent killer. This bill, the first of a two-part package, will close some of the gaps in current carbon monoxide detector legislation, and ultimately save lives,” said Council Member Vincent Ignizio.

Council to Set April 29th Hearing Dates on 3 BIDs
The Council will set April 29th Hearing Dates on the following 3 BID-related items.

Church Avenue Plan Amendment (CM Eugene) (Proposal to delete provisions in the BID’s District Plan requiring the BID to maintain brick pavers along the sidewalk in the district).

Kings Highway District Plan Amendment (CM Deutsch) (Proposal to delete provisions in the BID’s District Plan requiring the BID to maintain brick pavers along the sidewalk in the district).

Downtown Alliance District Plan Amendment (CM Chin) (Commercial portion of a mixed use property to be assessed at the commercial rate, rather than the residential rate).

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