Today, Governor Hochul signed four bills into law that improve health care access for New Yorkers. S.1839A/A.2609A requires the Health Equity Council to create recommendations to promote Sickle Cell Disease screening and detection. S.1451/A.782 expands on models to address disparities in health care access. S.3609B/A.3113A enhances the scope of Health Equity Impact Assessments to include reproductive health services and maternal health care.
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Council also votes on measures to curb noise pollution and mechanism for tenants to report on vacant housing units
City Hall, NY – Today, the New York City Council voted to pass a comprehensive package of legislation related to how menstrual products are defined and provided throughout the city. These bills are a direct response to menstrual product stigmatization, the disproportionate burden of accessing menstrual products faced by women and people who menstruate living below the poverty line, and the existing failure of city agencies to provide women and people who menstruate with adequate supplies.
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In response to a report about a 19-year veteran of the Department of Corrections Investigation division submitting an intent to file a lawsuit against Commissioner Molina with allegations he violated federal court orders and city law, Speaker Adrienne Adams and Council Member Carlina Rivera released the following statement.
“The continued mismanagement of the jails on Rikers Island is undermining public safety in our city and the administration’s inability to keep staff and people detained safe is perpetuating a cycle of brutality and death.
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“Transparency, oversight, and accountability are critical when the City is spending billions of public dollars through emergency contracting. Comptroller Lander’s report revealing deficiencies in the Administration’s emergency contracting only underscores the need for the City to reduce its overreliance on this type of procurement and turn towards more sustainable solutions to meet the holistic needs of our communities and those seeking asylum.
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“All New Yorkers, regardless of their body shape or size, deserve to be protected from discrimination under the law. Today, Local Law 61 of 2023 goes into effect, which prohibits discrimination in employment, housing, and public accommodations based on a person’s height or weight. Body size discrimination affects millions of people every year, contributing to harmful disparities in medical treatment and outcomes, blocking people from access to opportunities in employment, housing and public accommodations, and deepening existing injustices that people face.
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In response to the New York Court of Appeals’ ruling to uphold the legality of Local Law 66 of 2020, prohibiting the use of chokeholds and other actions that restrict the flow of air or blood by compressing the diaphragm while attempting an arrest, the New York City Council issued the following statement from a spokesperson, Rendy Desamours:
“Today’s decision from the New York Court of Appeals, affirming the Council’s enactment of legislation banning chokeholds and other forms of restraints during attempted arrests, is consistent with our goal to advance public safety.
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“The Council recognizes that the city’s budget has serious forthcoming gaps from the expiration of federal COVID stimulus funds, economic impacts of the pandemic, and additional spending. This includes expenditures on services in response to an increased number of asylum seekers arriving in the city, but those did not create our budget gaps and are not the only factor contributing to our fiscal reality.
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“The signing of the Clean Slate Act into law is a monumental step for our state that will improve our communities, public safety, and New York’s economy. Each year, it is estimated that the state leaves $7 billion in earnings on the table by excluding millions of New Yorkers from our workforce. By removing barriers to employment, housing, education, and other economic opportunities for the more than 2 million New Yorkers with an old conviction record, this new law will empower individuals and families to access pathways to opportunity, stability, and success.
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City Hall, NY – Today, in response to the New York City Council passing the Speaker’s Fair Housing Framework legislation to require the City to establish targeted housing production goals for each Community District to ensure each New York City neighborhood plays an equitable role in addressing the city’s housing crisis, while accounting for unique community needs, Council Members, labor unions, and housing advocacy organizations issued the following statements:
“Safe and permanent housing, and especially affordable housing, is foundational to the well-being of our city,” said Deputy Speaker Diana Ayala.
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Legislation to require creation of Industrial Development Plan, redesign truck routes, streamline bike lane construction process, and address delays in city contracting process also passed
City Hall, NY – Today, the New York City Council voted to require the City to establish targeted housing production goals for each Community District to ensure each New York City neighborhood plays an equitable role in addressing the city’s housing crisis, while accounting for unique community needs.
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