Council also voted on legislation to reform non-essential helicopter operations to address health and quality of life issues, and prevent deed theft

City Hall – Today, the New York City Council voted to protect civil rights, healthcare access, and well-being for transgender, gender non-conforming, and non-binary and/or intersex (TGNCNBI) New Yorkers. The package of bills, passed by the Council, requires improved access to information on resources and support, increased legal protections for healthcare access, and more inclusive administrative policies. The legislative package comes on the heels of President Trump taking harmful actions, including at least six executive orders, that threaten the rights of transgender and gender non-conforming Americans.

Additionally, the Council approved legislation to reform non-essential helicopter operations to address health and quality of life issues caused by their excessive noise pollution. The legislation passed by the Council will strengthen regulatory standards on both the noise permitted by helicopter engines and flight patterns, with the goal of mitigating noise pollution and its impact on health and quality of life. 

“As Trump further fuels the rising hate and attacks against trans and gender non-conforming people, it is paramount that our city safeguards everyone’s rights and makes clear that we support all New Yorkers,” said Speaker Adrienne Adams. “The Council is proud to pass this legislative package to increase support and protect the rights of TGNCNBI New Yorkers, ensuring they have access to care and information needed to be healthy and safe.”

“The Council took an important step to address the longstanding negative health and quality of life impacts of helicopter operations by establishing noise standards. New Yorkers deserve to be protected from having their health and quality of life protected from consistent noise pollution.”

Protecting Rights of Trans and Gender-Nonconforming New Yorkers

In 2017, the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH) published the first LGBTQ Health Care Bill of Rights, expressly stating that it is illegal to discriminate on the basis of a person’s sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression in public accommodations, including in health care settings. New Yorkers further enshrined civil rights protections when they voted in 2024 in favor of amending the State’s constitution to prohibit discrimination based upon age, disability, national origin, gender identity, pregnancy, and pregnancy outcomes, known as the Equal Rights Amendment. However, in the first 100 days of his presidency, President Trump has signed at least six executive orders that threaten the rights of transgender and gender non-conforming Americans. The following legislation aims to improve resources and ensure protections for transgender, gender non-conforming, and non-binary (TGNCNBI) New Yorkers.  

Introduction 1200-A, sponsored by Council Member Tiffany Cabán, would require the Mayor’s Office of Equity and Racial Justice (MOERJ) to provide publicly available information on the legal rights and resources available to TGNCNBI individuals, including information on protections against discrimination and harassment related to gender, including gender identity, or sexual orientation. It would also include information on hate crime protections, access to gender-affirming care, community-based organizations offering support services for TGNCNBI individuals, and legal name and gender marker changes. The bill would also require MOERJ to submit a report on the public information provided and engage in a media campaign regarding the public information.

“Today, we are taking a step towards liberation and justice for our transgender, gender non-conforming, and intersex neighbors,” said Council Member Tiffany Cabán. “Local government is the final line of defense against fascism. My bill is designed to protect trans people in New York from the horrific incursions of the Trump administration. It requires New York City to communicate with trans New Yorkers about all of the rights and resources they have. That’s highlighting every resource, every fund, every program. This bill is about transparency, accessibility, and solidarity. But most importantly, it’s about survival. We’re not defending an ideology here. We’re defending lives.”

Introduction 1201-A, sponsored by Council Member Shahana Hanif, would expand a person’s private right of action for interference with reproductive or endocrine medical care to explicitly include all forms of gender-affirming care. Along with expanding this private right of action, the relevant chapter of the Administrative Code is redesignated to correct the issue of an identically numbered chapter. The bill would take effect immediately.

“Today, with the passage of the Protect Trans Futures Package, the Council reaffirmed that our City will not be complicit in the nationwide assault on our transgender and gender non-conforming communities. We are not only rejecting anti-trans hate but this legislative package also improves systems to support, protect, and uplift our TGNCNBI communities,” said Council Member Shahana Hanif. “My bill, the Affirm Act, establishes a private right of action for patients who face retaliation by anti-trans governments or entities for seeking gender affirming care provided in New York City. The Affirm Act makes our city a “safe harbor” for those who access gender affirming care here in the five boroughs. I’m grateful to the diverse coalition of directly impacted TGNCBI advocates who helped my team craft this bill.”

Introduction 1203-A, sponsored by Council Member Chi Ossé, would require the Mayor’s Office of Immigrant Affairs (MOIA) to conduct an assessment of the available resources and any service gaps in the City for newly arrived migrants who are transgender, gender non-conforming, non-binary, and intersex. The assessment would review the particular needs of these communities and what resources exist for them, to develop a plan to address service gaps. The bill would require MOIA to submit the assessment to the Mayor and the Council no later than 18 months after the effective date of the local law.

Introduction 1204-A, sponsored by Council Member Chi Ossé, would require the Commissioner of DOHMH to conduct an assessment on health inequities affecting transgender, gender non-conforming, and non-binary (TGNCNBI) individuals in light of the health inequities between TGNCNBI individuals and cisgender individuals, and health inequities affecting intersex individuals. The bill would require DOHMH to develop a health agenda for TGNCNBI individuals and intersex individuals that includes strategies for DOHMH to address health inequities identified in the assessment. The bill would require the Commissioner of DOHMH to deliver the results of the assessment by September 30, 2027, and to provide a health agenda by September 30, 2028, and every five years after that date.

Introduction 246-A, sponsored by Council Member Crystal Hudson, would require agencies that provide social services and directly or by contract collect demographic information through form documents from city residents seeking services to update their forms, where practicable, to include “X” as an option when gender identify information is collected.

This will allow people to select a designation that more accurately reflects their gender identity, following the Trump Administration issuing an executive order that eliminated this option being provided by the federal government.

“While the federal government is actively working to dehumanize and disenfranchise the trans, gender non-conforming, and non-binary (TGNCNB) community by denying them access to gender-affirming healthcare and refusing to acknowledge their existence, the New York City Council knows that we have a responsibility to push back and demand justice for all TGNCNB New Yorkers,” said Council Member Crystal Hudson. “My bill, Intro 246, bolsters gender inclusivity by requiring city agencies to include an “X” gender option on city forms like benefits enrollment that ask for demographic info including gender. This bill is an important step in validating TGNCNB identities by helping to ease the often difficult process of navigating legal paperwork.”

Resolution 771 sponsored by Council Member Erik Bottcher, would call upon the New York State Governor to sign S.929/A.2141, which, having been passed by both the New York State Senate and the New York State Assembly, would extend protections over personal health information.

“New York City must stand firm in the face of unprecedented attacks on the LGBTQIA+ community by the Trump Administration,” said Council Member Erik Bottcher. “The Protect Trans Futures Plan is about fortifying essential protections for transgender New Yorkers and ensuring that our city remains a safe haven. While the federal government turns its back, we’re stepping up — using every tool we have to protect access to gender-affirming care and safeguard the dignity and rights of all people. I’m deeply grateful to Speaker Adams and my colleagues in the LGBTQIA+ Caucus for championing this vital legislation.”

Resolution 774, sponsored by Council Member Crystal Hudson, would call on the New York State Department of Health to implement regulations requiring hospitals in New York City to adhere to the World Professional Association for Transgender Health’s Standards of Care 8, to ensure medical professionals can provide high-quality and ethical treatment for individuals with gender dysphoria.

“I am proud to introduce Resolution 774 in a package of bills geared toward strengthening resources, access, and support for the TGNCNB community. My resolution calls on the state to protect transgender healthcare at a time when it is under attack nationwide,” said Council Member Crystal Hudson. “Under this law, the state would require NYC hospitals to follow the World Professional Association for Transgender Health’s Standards of Care 8 (SOC8), which ensures providers can deliver high-quality, ethical care for trans patients. Bills protecting the LGBTQIA+ community are more important now than ever, and I am proud to be part of a legislative body that is demanding protections and human rights for some of our most vulnerable New Yorkers.”

Resolution 781, sponsored by Council Member Lynn Schulman, would call upon the New York State Legislature to introduce and pass, and the Governor to sign, legislation to prohibit out-of-state access to the New York State Prescription Monitoring Program’s data for certain medications including abortion medications, hormone therapy, and puberty blockers.

Resolution 793, sponsored by Council Member Lynn Schulman, would call on the New York State Legislature to pass, and the Governor to sign, S.1633/A.2613, which would provide additional protections for the sensitive health information of patients, including information related to abortion or gender affirming care, and require all health information networks, electronic health record systems, and health care providers to provide patients with a right to restrict the disclosures of such patient’s health information.

“As Chair of the Health Committee and a proud member of the LGBTQ+ Caucus, I am honored to champion legislation that affirms our commitment to protecting the rights, dignity, and privacy of all New Yorkers—especially our transgender and gender nonconforming communities,” said Council Member Lynn Schulman. “Resolutions 781 and 793 send a clear message: New York will not stand by while others attempt to criminalize health care decisions or weaponize personal medical data. These measures are about safeguarding access to care, defending bodily autonomy, and ensuring that our health systems serve as sanctuaries—not surveillance tools. I’m proud to stand with my colleagues as we take this bold step forward.”

Regulating Non-Essential Helicopters to Reduce Health and Quality of Life Impacts

Exposure to excessive noise produced by frequent overhead flights is associated with a number of health effects, including high blood pressure, impaired psychological, and cognitive functions, and poorer long-term memory. During the past 5 years, 311 has experienced a 2,329% increase in noise complaints related to helicopters. In addition to noise issues, there have been numerous helicopter-related accidents in recent years, including a fatal incident over the Hudson River earlier this month. The following package of legislation proposes to strengthen regulations on both helicopter engines and flight patterns, with the goal of mitigating noise pollution and its health and quality of life impacts. 

Introduction 26-A, sponsored by Majority Leader Amanda Farias, would prohibit helicopters that do not meet the most stringent Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) noise standards (also known as stage 3 standards) from operating for non-essential purposes out of the East 34th Street Heliport and Downtown Manhattan/Wall Street Heliport, beginning at the end of 2029. Non-essential purposes are defined as purposes such as tourism or commuter flights, and exclude public safety, law enforcement, news coverage, and film work. These restrictions would be built into NYCEDC contracts with the heliport operators. Additionally, the bill would require NYCEDC to report on the percentage of flights at these two heliports that do not currently meet the noise standards that will be enforced in 2029.

“Intro 26 is a bold step toward a healthier, quieter, and more equitable city,” said Majority Leader Amanda Farias. “For far too long, non-essential helicopter flights have disrupted daily life and endangered the well-being of New Yorkers. This bill uses the City’s authority over our heliports to phase out the noisiest, most outdated aircraft, while making space for safer, cleaner, electric aviation. I am proud to lead this effort and grateful to Speaker Adams and my colleagues for standing with the New Yorkers who have been calling for change.”

Resolution 85-A, sponsored by Council Member James Gennaro, would call on the New York State Legislature to pass, and the Governor to sign, A.5891/S.1140, which would establish a noise tax on non-essential helicopter and seaplane flights in cities with a population of one million or more.

Resolution 226-A, sponsored by Council Member Gale Brewer, would call on the New York State Legislature to pass and the Governor to sign A.6311/S.7381, which would prohibit certain non-essential flight operations at municipal heliports and Hudson River Park.

Resolution 233-A, sponsored by Council Member Gale Brewer, would call upon the United States Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to ban all non-essential helicopter travel, including tourist and chartered helicopter flights over New York City.

“Helicopter flights in New York City largely cater to a small slice of tourists and a cadre of elite travelers using them as unregulated charter flights to airports and weekend destinations out east,” said Council Member Gale A. Brewer. “I have been advocating for decades to ban takeoffs and landings of all non-essential helicopters at city heliports. Non-essential helicopters in the densest urban area in the nation are dangerous, noisy, disruptive, and bad for air quality. Thank you to Speaker Adrienne Adams for supporting this package of bills and joining our fight.”

Protecting Homeowners from Deed Theft

New York City neighborhoods, particularly those with significant rates of Black and Latino homeownership, have increasingly been targeted by deed theft. These property-related scams that occur when someone illegally transfers ownership of a property by falsifying documents, forging signatures, or using other deceptive tactics threaten the loss of prized assets. The predatory schemes undermine the transfer of hard-earned generational wealth within families already disproportionately affected by racial wealth gaps.

The two bills voted on by the Council are part of ongoing efforts to prevent deed theft, first announced by Speaker Adams at her 2024 State of the City address. In addition to legislation, these efforts include the Council’s collaboration with local law schools and pro bono attorneys to provide free estate planning resources to New Yorkers in all five boroughs.

“Today, I’m also proud that the Council is passing legislation first envisioned in my 2024 State of the City to strengthen our efforts to prevent deed theft,” said Speaker Adrienne Adams. “Homeowners, particularly in communities of color, have disproportionately been subjected to threats that rob our older adults and their families of prized assets. These predatory actions often result in the loss of generational wealth in communities already disproportionately harmed by the racial wealth gap. With the passage of these crucial bills, the Council is building on its record of prioritizing homeownership and protecting homeowners in our neighborhoods.”

Introduction 889-A, sponsored by Council Member Crystal Hudson, would require that the system maintained by the Department of Finance (DOF) to provide notification to interested parties of the recording of certain real estate instruments also notify the local Council Member when a recorded deed- or mortgage-related documents affects an interest in real property that has been held by the same party for 30 years.

“Deed theft remains a persistent problem for long-time Black and brown homeowners in rapidly gentrifying neighborhoods like the communities in my district. In Brooklyn, there have been more than 1,500 deed theft complaints with the Sheriff’s office in the last 10 years. Many of the victims are older adults who have had their home titles stolen without their knowledge or consent, leaving them vulnerable to financial ruin and homelessness,” said Council Member Crystal Hudson. “Intro 889 addresses this issue by requiring the Department of Finance to notify local Council Members whenever there is activity concerning a deed-related or mortgage-related document that has been held by the same party for 30 years or more. With this information, Council Members can then reach out to constituents to ensure any reported changes are legitimate, and connect them with the appropriate resources if they are deemed fraudulent. Intro 889 also furthers the work being done at the state level to expand the Attorney General’s prosecutorial powers to safeguard New York City’s most vulnerable homeowners.”

Introduction 1086-A, sponsored by Council Member Nantasha Williams, would require the Department of Finance (DOF) to notify interested parties by e-mail, text message, and postal mail when a deed- or mortgage-related document has been recorded for the property. DOF would be required to send such notice no later than 30 days after the document has been recorded. Current law requires only one method of communication for such notifications, and this bill would require that all aforementioned methods be used if provided to DOF.

“Intro 1086-A is about government doing what it’s supposed to do, which is keeping residents informed and protected,” said Council Member Nantasha Williams. “When a fraudulent deed is filed without a homeowner’s knowledge, that’s not just paperwork, it’s a bureaucratic failure that can lead to foreclosure, displacement, and irreversible harm. With Intro. 1086-A, we’re holding the Department of Finance accountable for doing what government should do: notify residents when documents tied to their property are recorded. This bill is a simple, powerful step toward protecting homeowners and making our systems work for the people they’re meant to serve.”

Increasing the Capacity of the City’s Stormwater System

Introduction 1150-A, sponsored by Council Member James Gennaro, would require the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) to develop a plan to increase the capacity of the stormwater system to convey rainfall. The plan would recommend new rainfall conveyance capacities for the City and would identify projects and policies necessary to achieve those capacities. Additionally, DEP would be required to display the status of the comprehensive stormwater plan and of all projects and policies recommended by the plan on an online dashboard.

“New York City’s infrastructure was not designed to handle this level of rainfall, and we’ve seen the disastrous impact this can have,” said Council Member James F. Gennaro, Chair of the Committee on Environmental Protection, Resiliency, and Waterfronts. “Climate change is a real threat, and it is imperative we take a proactive approach to protect our communities from flooding. I am proud to champion this bill in spirit of Earth Week. The best way to protect New Yorkers is to make sure we are informed and prepared. That is exactly what Stormwater 2.0 aims to do.”

Resolution 8, sponsored by Council Member James Gennaro, would call upon the New York State Department of Health and New York State Environmental Facilities Corporation to fairly allocate grants and loans for lead service line replacement approved in the Federal Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and to remove all rules preventing New York City from receiving a fair share of this funding.

Resolution 144-A, sponsored by Council Member Julie Menin, would call upon the New York State Environmental Facilities Corporation to remove restrictive barriers and uncap funds New York City can receive for water infrastructure upgrades.

“It is unfathomable that New York City has almost 50% of New York State’s population but state law prohibits any one municipality from receiving more than 10 percent of funds available for vital water infrastructure upgrades,” said Council Member Julie Menin. “This restrictive barrier harms New York City and we’re calling on the New York State Environmental Facilities Corporation to end discriminatory environmental and water infrastructure policies by raising the 10 percent cap for the City. I thank Speaker Adams for advancing this resolution as increased funding could be transformative for our City through sewer system upgrades and the management of increasingly prevalent intense weather events.”

Assessing Community Hiring and Benefits for EDC Projects

Introduction 860-A, sponsored by Council Member Alexa Aviles, would require local development corporations to report to the mayor and the Council annually on community hiring programs established to promote employment opportunities for residents living in low-income communities during the prior fiscal year. The report would include a performance assessment related to hiring goals for each covered development project, and where such goals are not met, a description of best efforts made to meet local hiring goals such as the hiring sources utilized and any community engagement efforts that took place. The report shall be posted to the New York City Economic Development Corporation (EDC)’s website.

Introduction 861-A, sponsored by Council Member Alexa Aviles, would alter the terms of the contract between the City and EDC by requiring it to include details regarding agreements between developers and either a non-profit organization or person to provide community benefits as part of a development project. These details include: the date such agreement was executed, the parties to the agreement, and the benefits that are or will be provided pursuant to the agreement.

“I’m honored to be passing two crucial pieces of legislation, Int 860 and 861, which get to the heart of concerns about economic development projects in my district, said Council Member Alexa Aviles. “Together, these bills will strengthen community involvement and transparency in EDC’s process. Int 860 will require the city to report on how many local residents are hired through workforce development opportunities. Through this legislation, we will be able to understand whether neighborhoods bearing the weight of economic development projects are truly benefitting. Int 861 will require EDC to disclose information related to Community Benefit Agreements, allowing our communities to understand whether these agreements are empty promises or are truly producing tangible benefits for impacted communities. Thank you to my colleagues in the Council for taking these steps to improve economic support for working-class communities, and to all of the advocates who helped make this legislation possible.”

Preserving the Right of Former Public Servants to Communicate with the City in Legal Proceedings

Introduction 1263-A, sponsored by Council Member Lincoln Restler, would amend the New York City Charter to account for numbering changes in a previous law and preserve the right of former public servants to communicate with City agencies or government offices as part of an appearance in a legal proceeding in front of another agency, office, or court.

Calling for Fair Contracting Practices in NYC Healthcare Institutions

Resolution 598, sponsored by Council Member Carmen De La Rosa, would call on New York City health care institutions to contract with industrial laundry companies that respect workers’ legal rights and adhere to area standards for wages and benefits.

“FDR Services workers have blown the whistle on the horrific, abusive conditions they have faced,” said Council Member Carmen De La Rosa. “And the New York City Council is taking action with Reso 598 to support these low-wage, Latina immigrant workers. They regularly handle contaminated hospital and nursing home linens far dirtier than household laundry. They have endured extreme heat, harsh chemicals, dangerous machines, rats, roaches, and lack of hot water. Enough is enough. These workers deserve better. And so do all the patients, staff, and visitors at New York City hospitals and nursing homes who rely on the laundry and linen services provided by FDR Services.”

Land Use:

Brownsville NCP – an application by the Department of Housing Preservation and Development (HPD) to facilitate the development of deeply affordable housing on three parcels of vacant city-owned land in Council Member Sandy Nurse’s and Council Member Darlene Mealy’s districts. Altogether, the three buildings will include 75 units with affordability ranging from 30 percent of the Area Median Income (AMI) to 70 percent of the AMI.

Finance:

Introduction 1234-A, sponsored by Council Member Justin Brannan, would require the Director of the Independent Budget Office (IBO) to publish a report analyzing the Mayor’s executive budget for the ensuing fiscal year on May 20th of each year, as opposed to May 15. Additionally, this bill would provide that between May 10 and May 31 each year, the Council shall hold public hearings on the Mayor’s executive budget, as opposed to between May 5 and May 25.

Introduction 1219, sponsored by Deputy Speaker Diana Ayala, would establish the East Harlem 125th Street Business Improvement District.

Resolution 327, sponsored by Council Member Sandy Nurse, would call for passage of State legislation to authorize the City to offer retroactive tax exemptions.

Preconsidered Resolution, sponsored by Council Member Justin Brannan, approving the new designation and changes in the designation of certain organizations to receive funding in the Expense Budget.

State Legislation Resolution:

A Home Rule resolution, SLR 1, sponsored by Council Member Lincoln Restler, requesting the New York State Legislature to pass bills introduced by Senator Liu, S.7121-A, and Assembly Member Hooks, A.6781-B, “AN ACT authorizing the discontinuance of certain parkland in Flushing Meadows Corona Park in the borough of Queens.”

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