Through technology such as Quick Response codes, smart phone users will be able to find all the background information they need on buildings, restaurants and day care centers.

New York, NY – Today, the City Council will vote on legislation that will require many city-issued permits, licenses, and registrations that are publicly posted to include technology like quick response codes (“QR codes”). This will allow smart phone users who scan the code to instantly link to further information online.

The Council will also vote on legislation requiring a sign at all inaccessible building entrances with clear directions to the nearest accessible entryway.

Additionally, the Council will pass a resolution recognizing September as Suicide Awareness Month in New York City.

Lastly, the Council will vote to override the Mayoral Veto on the Department of Housing Preservation and Development (HPD) transparency bill.

QR Codes
By making technology such as QR codes widely accessible, the new legislation will arm New Yorkers with as much information as possible about city issued permits, licenses and registrations. This consumer friendly technology will give residents quick information about a building permit or inspection results for daycare centers or restaurants.

QR codes work by allowing a user to hold a smartphone camera up to the code. Once scanned, the user is instantly linked to a website with further information. By the click of a button, New Yorkers will know more about their favorite restaurant or local business. QR codes have become an increasingly popular way for New Yorkers to access information on-the-go. This is especially useful today since approximately half of adults in the U.S. own a smartphone.
The QR code in a restaurant, for example, will lead users to a site with the restaurant grade and additional violation history.

“With this bill, busy New Yorkers can instantly access additional information about their favorite restaurant or local business through their smart phones,” said Speaker Christine C. Quinn. “This allows Council to make government even more open and accessible to New Yorkers and helps make us an innovative and digital city.”

“Let’s give any New Yorker the chance to learn what they need to know about a city permit just by scanning it with their smartphone,” said Council Member Garodnick. “The technology exists — and we need to make sure that the City is keeping pace.”

The City first introduced QR codes last year on Department of Buildings permits allowing users to access information about the scope of work and violation history.

Given the speed at which technology changes, this bill, however, does not specifically require QR codes but rather requires any technology that serves a similar purpose: getting information into the hands of a mobile device user instantly.

Additionally, the bill will require the Department of Information Technology and Telecommunications to create a technical manual on the technology or technologies which must be used for this purpose. This manual will be reviewed, and updated if necessary, every two years.

The QR bill will not apply to all permits and licenses, but rather only to those that have additional information available online, including restaurants, childcare-centers and building sites.

The bill will be effective one year from now.

Accessible Signs
The bill will require owners of all existing New York City buildings to put up a sign at inaccessible building entrances with clearly marked directions to an alternative accessible entryway. Owners will also be required to post a sign at that accessible entrance listing a phone number, if the entrance is subject to locking.

In addition, signage to the nearest accessible public toilets, bathing facilities and elevators will also be required for certain buildings.

“This bill will help improve the quality of life for people with disabilities by making access to city buildings easier. I am grateful and proud to see so many of my colleagues sign on to co-sponsor and help pass this important piece of legislation as we continue to work daily to ensure a better quality of life for every New Yorker,” said Councilwoman Debi Rose (49th Council District, Staten Island), who chairs the Council’s Civil Rights Committee.

Suicide Prevention Month Resolution
In New York City, there are about 475 suicides a year, making suicide the third leading cause of death for people between the age of 15 and 24. The Council will pass a resolution recognizing September as Suicide Awareness Month in New York City and will call upon governmental agencies and non-governmental organizations to focus on teen suicide prevention. By recognizing the severity of the issue, the Council hopes to increase outreach efforts dispel misconceptions about mental illness.

“Last year, a group of teenagers from my district visited my office and asked me to help bring awareness to their biggest concern—the skyrocketing rate of suicide among their peers. It is time for us acknowledge the fact that we have a public health crisis in our city that our children are begging us to fix,” said Council Member Levin. “Teen suicide is preventable, but we need to make sure that young people know that there is help available to them before they reach a tragic place of hopelessness and despair. I hope that, by adopting this resolution, we can create greater awareness of suicide, and highlight the resources available to teens. Many thanks are due to Speaker Quinn and Chair Koppel for their unyielding commitment to this issue.”

Street Co-naming
Each year, the Council votes on omnibus street co-naming bills, designating streets throughout the City with honorary names, generally for New Yorkers who have made some significant or lasting contribution to the City. This bill includes 41 streets being co-named for New Yorkers, including public servants, such as police officers, firefighters, military veterans, religious leaders, businessmen and other leaders.

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