Also to Vote on Legislation That Will Bring Increased Transparency to the Juvenile Justice System

City Hall, April 29, 2010 – At today’s Stated Council meeting, the Council will vote on a bill that will decrease neighborhood noise from tour buses, creating a quieter atmosphere for residents while still serving tourists.

Other legislation before the Council includes two bills that will increase transparency and accountability of the Department of Juvenile Justice, making records and census data more readily available. The Council will also consider resolutions to encourage immigration reform and call on the federal government to lift the FDA’s 30-year ban on blood donations by gay and bisexual men.

DECREASING NEIGHBORHOOD NOISE
In response to complaints from residential neighborhoods about noise from tour buses, the Council will vote on legislation that would eliminate the amplification, loudspeaker systems used by tour guides on open-air sightseeing buses. The legislation, which was introduced by Council Member Gale Brewer, would require that all tour buses with open, roof-top seating install a headphone-based system, so that the sound and audio cannot be heard by residents.

A phase in period would begin in July 2011 and all open-air sightseeing buses would be required to have headphone systems installed by July 2015.

“New York would not be New York without the tourism industry,” said City Council Speaker Christine C. Quinn. “Tourists are as integral to the City as the Statue Liberty and Times Square, but while encouraging the tourism industry, we must not forget that people live here too. This bill will create a better living environment for New Yorkers while still entertaining visitors.”

“This proposal seeks to ensure that a tour guide’s voice is only audible to those on the bus and not to people on the street or in nearby buildings,” Council Member Gale Brewer said. “I am an avid supporter of tourism in our city and the pivotal role that licensed live tour guides play in welcoming visitors to New York City – however, rising noise complaints attributed to public announcement systems, as expressed by residents in Hell’s Kitchen, the West Village and other neighborhoods need to be address. Our residents are entitled to peace and quiet in their homes and I am confident that this bill addresses this specific aspect of noise pollution in our neighborhoods.”

“This bill ensures that the tour bus industry in New York City can continue to operate while meeting the quality of life needs of local residents,” said Karen Koslowitz, Chair of the Consumer Affairs Committee. “New York’s ability to find this balance is a great testament to its commitment towards staying the leader in tourism. As a life long New Yorker, there is nothing greater than being both a tourist in my hometown and a proud resident. The passage of this legislation will go a long way in continuing to make sure that we can all share in the wonders of New York City, while improving the quality of life for our neighbors.”

BRINGING MORE TRANSPARENCY AND ACCOUNTABILITY TO THE JUVENILE JUSTICE SYSTEM
The Council will also vote on a package of two bills, introduced by Sara Gonzalez, that will bring more transparency and accountability to the juvenile justice system in the City.

The first bill would require the Department of Juvenile Justice (DJJ) to report demographic data for youth being held in detention. Currently, there are no requirements for the DJJ to publish such information and this new bill would require them to post a report on the department’s website on an annual basis.

In addition, another bill would require that DJJ report any instances where staff from detention facilities has used any method of discipline. This includes physical and mechanical restraint and room confinement. DJJ will also report on injuries and alleged cases of child abuse and neglect.

“The Council will today vote on two important Local Laws: Introductions 37 and 153, which will require the Department of Juvenile Justice to regularly report demographic and other data on the young people being held in their facilities,” said Sara Gonzalez, Chair of the Juvenile Justice Committee. “In addition to census data, the publicly available reports will include data on frequency of use of mechanical restraint, allegations of abuse, and more and will allow the Council, Administration, and advocates to better address the needs of this vulnerable population. Furthermore, the dissemination of this data will foster greater transparency that the public, concerned advocates, and elected officials will be able to benefit from, when calling for the sort of reform we would all like to see take place.”

RESOLUTION CALLING FOR EQUALITY IN BLOOD DONATION
Calling for equality, the Council will vote on a resolution that calls upon the United States Food and Drug Administration to reverse its longstanding prohibition on blood donation by men who have sex with men. Currently, federal policy permanently bans any man who has had sex with another man from donating blood. Given the constant need for blood donors, it is counterintuitive to close off an entire population that is able to donate.

“This policy is wrong and it should be rescinded immediately. Numerous public health groups, including the American Red Cross, the American Association of Blood Banks, America’s Blood Centers, and the American Medical Association, as well as leading HIV/AIDS organizations have urged that the FDA’s lifetime restriction be revised,” City Council Speaker Christine C. Quinn said. “We have the technology to make sure that every pint of blood collected is screened for a variety of markers of transmissible diseases including HIV. It’s time for the FDA to acknowledge this and to change its policy. Donating blood is literally giving the gift of life. Gay and bisexual men should be able to give blood and help save a life.”

“I am proud that the NY City Council joins others in saying that the time is long since passed to tolerate discrimination against gay men at blood banks across the US, where they are not permitted to donate,” Council Member Rosie Mendez said. “There is no justification for maintaining a 30 year old regulation, passed at a time of panic about a misunderstood disease, especially when there is such a need for life-saving blood donations. Wake up FDA!”

“The FDA’s prohibition on men who have sex with men from donating blood is discriminatory,” said Maria del Carmen Arroyo, Chair of the Committee on Health. “This policy fails to take into account the individual’s health status rather it represents a blanket ban on individuals from donating based solely on their sexual orientation. This policy is not only ill-advised but it is counterintuitive. In New York City and nationwide, we constantly have an extensive need for blood donors, yet this closes off a sizeable population from donating. We are encouraged that the FDA will be reexamining this policy in June and we want to ensure that our voices are heard.”

COUNCIL CONDEMNS ARIZONA IMMIGRATION LAW
The Council will vote on a resolution that calls on Congress to pass and for President Obama to sign a comprehensive immigration reform bill in 2010. This resolution highlights some of the conditions faced by immigrant New Yorkers that indicate that the current immigration system is broken in order to emphasize the need for a comprehensive immigration reform bill. This resolution acknowledges that the extreme measure taken by Arizona to combat illegal immigration is a sign of things to come if a comprehensive immigration reform bill is not passed by Congress in 2010.

“With the news last week from Arizona, comprehensive immigration reform is now more important than ever,” said Council Member Melissa Mark-Viverito. “I am proud to have introduced this resolution, which calls for the passage of immigration reform. The resolution also makes clear that any reform package should be inclusive of LGBT families, and should also take into serious consideration issues of civil liberties and due process in our immigration system. If the Congress and the President do not act immediately, states and localities will continue to enact policies that threaten the civil rights of not only immigrants but all Americans.”

“I support this resolution because it is critical that we bring attention to the need for reform in our national immigration policy. The lack of a sensible and comprehensive immigration policy on the federal level has served to embolden radical approaches such as the recent Arizona law, which seeks to legalize discrimination,” said Immigration Chair Council Member Daniel Dromm (D-Jackson Heights). “What immigrants want is what all New Yorkers want – the right to pursue happiness and freedom in our great land. It doesn’t matter where you come from or how you got here. What matters is where we are going together.”

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