{"id":2115,"date":"2021-12-09T22:17:27","date_gmt":"2021-12-09T22:17:27","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/council.nyc.gov\/press\/?p=2115"},"modified":"2021-12-09T22:17:27","modified_gmt":"2021-12-09T22:17:27","slug":"council-votes-on-historic-municipal-voting-rights-legislation","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/council.nyc.gov\/press\/2021\/12\/09\/2115\/","title":{"rendered":"Council Votes on Historic Municipal Voting Rights Legislation"},"content":{"rendered":"<\/p>\n

The Council will also vote to expand access to long-acting reversible birth control in City-run health facilities<\/em> <\/p>\n

City Hall, NY<\/strong> \u2013 New York City is proudly home to millions of working, taxpaying immigrants, yet those who are not U.S. citizens have no power at the ballot box to determine who represents them. The Council today will vote on historic legislation to give eligible non-citizen New Yorkers the right to vote in local elections. Under this bill, any New Yorker who is a lawful permanent resident or authorized to work in the United States, who has been a resident of New York City for at least 30 consecutive days, and who meets all the qualifications for registering to vote under the Election Law other than U.S. citizenship, would be eligible to register to vote as a \u201cmunicipal voter.\u201d Registered municipal voters would be entitled to vote in any primary, special, general, or run-off election for Mayor, Comptroller, Public Advocate, Borough President, or Council Member, as well as on any local ballot initiative. The Board of Elections would implement this new system, which would include developing a new registration form specifically for municipal voters and giving them the opportunity to enroll in a political party so they can vote in local primary elections. Under this bill, eligible non-citizens would be able to start registering to vote on December 9, 2022, and once registered, could begin voting in local elections as of January 9, 2023. The bill would also create an advisory group to provide recommendations regarding the implementation of this new municipal voting system. <\/p>\n

This Council has made New York City a national leader on reproductive freedom, from establishing the country\u2019s first municipally funded abortion access fund to increasing access to sexual and reproductive healthcare. The Council will further this record by voting on a bill to require the Department of Health and Mental Hygiene to make available FDA-approved methods of non-surgical and long-acting reversible contraception (LARC), including intrauterine devices and subdermal contraceptive implants, at all their health centers, stations, clinics, and other facilities that offer services relating to sexually transmitted diseases. DOHMH would also be required to offer cultural sensitivity trainings to employees at these facilities, because despite the efficacy of LARCs, patients face barriers to accessing them and the care they require due to lack of familiarity and understanding, lack of access, prohibitive costs, and both parents\u2019 and providers\u2019 misconceptions about the safety of LARC use in adolescents. This educational piece of the bill is vital to reproductive justice, ensuring that providers will better inform patients with comprehensive, scientifically accurate information about the full range of contraceptive options. <\/p>\n

To give survivors of gender-motivated violence a real chance to pursue justice while considering the impacts of processing trauma, the Council will also vote on a bill that would extend the statute of limitations for civil actions alleging gender-motivated violence from seven to nine years. Trauma can take time to process and certainly does not adhere to arbitrary statutes of limitations, so this legislation would give survivors the time they need to come forward if they choose. The bill would also clarify that the law applies to acts committed by parties who direct, enable, participate in, or conspire in a gender-motivated act of violence.  <\/p>\n

The Council will also vote on a bill that would require the Office of the Civil Justice Coordinator to establish a two-year pilot program to provide free brief legal assistance and full legal representation to domestic violence survivors in divorce proceedings. The Coordinator would convene a working group to consult with service providers and produce a report with recommendations for the pilot program by May 15, 2022, after which they would identify designated organizations to provide legal representation and establish the pilot program by September 1, 2022. The working group would then produce two subsequent reports, first on the number and types of cases and fees, and then a final report with additional assessments and recommendations for potentially expanding the pilot, to be completed by November 1, 2024. This bill would also require the Mayor’s Office to End Domestic and Gender-Based Violence to work with the Coordinator to offer trauma informed training and create outreach related to the availability of the program by September 1, 2022. <\/p>\n

Additionally, the Council will vote on two pieces of legislation pertaining to supportive housing residents. Supportive housing, a form of affordable housing with on-site wraparound services, is widely considered to be the most successful existing model for ending homelessness among vulnerable populations. The first of two bills would create a supportive housing tenants\u2019 bill of rights. The bill would require the Department of Social Services to create a written notice for supportive housing tenants and residents of their rights pursuant to various state and local laws, and it would require that every provider of supportive housing provide all residents this notice at the time of an interview, initial occupancy, each lease or program agreement renewal, and upon request, with a civil penalty of $250 for any violation. <\/p>\n

The second bill related to supportive housing would provide transparency around which clients are selected or rejected after undergoing an application, referral, and interview process. This legislation aims to address the allegation that providers have \u201ccherry-picked\u2019 applicants who require the fewest services. The proposed bill would require the Department of Social Services to produce an annual report on the number of individuals eligible for, referred to, accepted to, rejected for, and still awaiting placement for supportive housing disaggregated by age, gender, race, population category, the average length of time the client has been experiencing homelessness, the client\u2019s current shelter placement or whether the client is an unsheltered person, and the referral source. The bill would also require DSS to report on the reasons a client has been rejected for placement. <\/p>\n

To better address the mental health needs of communities citywide, the Council will also vote on legislation that would require the Mayor to establish an Office of Community Mental Health. OCMH would be charged with implementing strategies to close gaps in mental healthcare, developing interagency policies and practices to promote mental health, decreasing any barriers to mental healthcare that may prevent access among underserved groups, and performing any other relevant duties as the Mayor may assign. Under this legislation, OCMH would also be able to request and receive the assistance of any other agency or office, and the responsibility of interagency coordination would fall under the purview of a Mental Health Council as established by this bill. The Office would also have to publish annual reports identifying critical gaps in mental health care that are preventing New Yorkers with mental health needs from accessing and staying connected to care. <\/p>\n

Another bill before the Council today would ensure that insensitive, stigmatizing, and clinically outdated language regarding disabilities be removed from the City Charter and Administrative Code, and instead be replaced with \u201cintellectual disability\u201d or “intellectual and developmental disability\u201d wherever applicable. <\/p>\n

The Council will also hear multiple bills concerning street safety. Stop signs, stop lights, and markings are proven to help educate and improve driver behavior in school zones, but of the approximately 6,800 intersections adjacent to City schools, only about half are signalized. To increase safety near schools, the Council will vote on a piece of legislation that would require the Department of Transportation to identify all intersections immediately adjacent to schools that do not have a traffic control device by September 30, 2022, and install devices at each such intersection no later than September 30, 2024. The type of traffic control devices installed would be in accordance with the federal Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices and based upon DOT\u2019s engineering expertise and judgment. <\/p>\n

Another safety measure the Council will vote on is a bill that would authorize the creation of a program for installing and operating cameras on school bus stop arms to photograph drivers that illegally pass a school bus. Illegally passing a stopped school bus endangers children as they enter and exit the bus. This program would dramatically increase the City\u2019s capacity to enforce the rules of the road against reckless drivers.  <\/p>\n

While it is illegal in New York State to obscure motor vehicle license plates to make them unreadable by toll, red light and speed cameras, stores continue to sell such products, enabling drivers to avoid tolls and penalties. The Council will vote on a bill that would prohibit the sale or distribution of any materials or substances for the purpose of concealing or obscuring the numbers on license plates or distorting a recorded or photographic image of license plates, topping $200 State penalties by enforcing a penalty of at least $300 for the first violation and at least $500 for any violation thereafter. <\/p>\n

To address a common issue among motorcyclists, namely stolen or blown away parking meter vouchers, the Council will vote on legislation that would permit owners and operators of motorcycles to digitally provide photographic evidence that parking was paid for at the time of an alleged violation. Allowing motorcyclists to photograph the parking meter voucher and use it as evidence that they paid for parking would enable them to challenge parking violations electronically. Under this bill, such photographic evidence would be submitted to the Department of Finance through their website and serve as an affirmative defense to the alleged violation. <\/p>\n

The nation\u2019s largest source of non-housing-related debt is student loans, and loan forgiveness programs can be a lifeline for many graduates. There are programs available to those who find work in the public sector or not-for-profit organizations, teachers who teach full-time for five consecutive years in low-income schools, many City employees, and even some private sector employees as well; however, many are not aware of their loan forgiveness program options. For that reason, the Council today will vote on a bill that would help connect New Yorkers with information on student loan forgiveness, requiring the Department of Citywide Administrative Services, working with the Department of Consumer and Worker Protection, to prepare a notice for employees and job applicants regarding the availability of federal and state student loan forgiveness programs. For city employees, the notice would state that the employee may qualify for student loan forgiveness, provide the official website address for each student loan forgiveness program, and encourage the employee to examine the eligibility requirements. DCWP would make the notice available to all private sector employers in New York City to provide to their employees if they choose, and would also be required to provide outreach and education to private sector employers about the forgiveness programs. <\/p>\n

The Council will also vote on two pieces of legislation to ensure our veterans can access the benefits they have earned. The first bill would offer discharge upgrade assistance to LGBTQ veterans and extend all city benefits and services to veterans who have bad discharge papers due solely or in part to their sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or, for veterans who identify as LGBTQ, untreated trauma\u2014including that resulting from sexual assault which occurred during military service. The bill would also require the Department of Veteran Services to issue a certificate of eligibility to a discharged LGBTQ veteran on request that can be used as proof of their eligibility to receive certain benefits and services. To ensure awareness of these certificates and legal services, the bill would also require DVS to conduct outreach and make information available on their website. <\/p>\n

A second bill would amend the definition of the term \u201cveteran\u201d under the City Charter to include persons who currently serve or who have served in the United States military, regardless of time served or discharge status. This expanded definition would ensure that all New York City veterans are eligible for city services and benefits. The bill would also expand the Veterans\u2019 Advisory Board from 11 members to 13 to include two new members who are either an immediate family member, spouse or domestic partner, survivor, or caregiver of a veteran. <\/p>\n

To provide more comprehensive information on available certified Minority- and Women- Owned Business Enterprise vendors, the Council will vote on legislation to expand the data included in the City\u2019s MWBE quarterly report. The report\u2019s intent is to analyze the City\u2019s progress in reducing the disparity in contracting between MWBE firms and those that are awarded city contracts, so this bill would improve reporting by requiring the Mayor\u2019s Office of Contract Services and the Department of Small Business Services to include the following data: the number of firms certified as Minority Owned Businesses or Women Owned Businesses as of the final day of the quarter compared to the number of firms found to be available in the most recent disparity study for each industry classification; the percentage increases in the numbers of certified MWBE firms reported for the immediately preceding quarter; the number of firms certified as Emerging Business Enterprises as of the final day of the quarter; and the percentage increase in the numbers of certified EBE firms reported for the immediately preceding quarter. <\/p>\n

The Council will also vote on two pieces of legislation pertaining to the New York Police Department. The first bill amends qualification requirements for New York City police officers by prohibiting the NYPD from appointing an individual if they had previously been dismissed from any police department due to findings of misconduct or resigned while under investigation pursuant to a charge of misconduct. This bill expands existing law prohibiting the NYPD from rehiring officers previously dismissed by the Department, and codifies existing Department practice of disqualifying applicants previously dismissed from another police department. <\/p>\n

The second bill would grant the Civilian Complaint Review Board the power to initiate its own complaints against members of the NYPD that allege misconduct involving excessive use of force and abuse of authority, including bias-based policing and racial profiling, discourtesy, or use of offensive language. This would expand its current abilities to only respond to complaints filed by members of the public or final determinations by certain governmental entities. Because members of the public often do not initiate complaints with CCRB following incidents of alleged police misconduct for reasons including lack of knowledge of the agency or how to file a complaint and fear of retaliation, this bill will ensure more avenues for police accountability through CCRB. <\/p>\n

The Council will also vote on legislation and an accompanying resolution regarding nuclear disarmament. The bill would establish a committee to examine the City\u2019s position on nuclear disarmament and issues related to recognizing and reaffirming the City as a nuclear weapons free zone. The advisory committee would be required to meet at least four times per year and produce an annual report summarizing its findings, conclusions, and recommendations for policy and legislation. <\/p>\n

The accompanying resolution calls on the New York City Comptroller to instruct the pension funds of public employees in New York City to divest from and avoid any financial exposure to companies involved in the production and maintenance of nuclear weapons. The City\u2019s pension system for formerly City-employed retirees has significant investments in financial institutions and other companies involved in producing key components and maintaining nuclear weapons. These investments include equity holdings, bond holdings and other assets with BlackRock, JPMorgan Chase, Bank of America, CitiGroup, Evercore, Wells Fargo, and Goldman Sachs. Furthermore, the Resolution calls on New York City to join the International Campaign to Abolish Nuclear Weapons Cities Appeal, a commitment that seeks to build local support for the United Nations Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons. The aim would be to influence the national government to sign on to the Treaty, which would prohibit the development, testing, production, manufacture, acquisition, possession, stockpiling, stationing, transfer, use, and threat of use of nuclear weapons among the member nations, with the eventual goal of elimination of nuclear weapons altogether. <\/p>\n

To continue its proven commitment to holding short-term rental entities accountable, the Council will also vote on a bill that would require applicants seeking to rent out rooms in Class A dwelling units for fewer than 30 consecutive days to register with the Mayor\u2019s Office of Special Enforcement and obtain a registration number before being permitted to rent out said rooms. Booking services would be required to verify the short-term rental registration number of any accommodation before listing it on their service. <\/p>\n

In the aftermath of the Supreme Court\u2019s 2018 decision in Janus v. AFSCME<\/em>, which declared that unions could no longer collect mandatory \u201cfair share\u201d fees to cover the cost of collective bargaining, union leaders feared that more public workers would withdraw from their unions, magnifying the \u201cfree rider\u201d effect where employees can reap the benefits of union bargaining without supporting the union financially. The Council will vote on a bill today that would help alleviate this \u201cfree rider\u201d effect by removing specific services and benefits that public sector unions are required to provide to non-members, thereby reducing the union\u2019s obligations and financial strain and preserving the viability of public sector unions. This bill would amend the New York City Collective Bargaining Law to allow non-members to proceed through the grievance and arbitration process without union representation, so long as the non-member assumes the cost. It would also remove a reference to \u201cagency fees\u201d which are no longer required to be paid by non-members. The bill would allow non-members, in certain circumstances and with the permission of the union, to proceed through the grievance process and arbitration without union representation, so long as the non-member assumes the cost for arbitration that would otherwise be paid by the union. <\/p>\n

To better secure citywide information privacy, the Council will vote on legislation to make the Mayor\u2019s Office of Information Privacy (MOIP) a charter-mandated office. Local Law 245 of 2017 established the position of Chief Privacy Officer to develop citywide protocols for responsible data collection and disclosure and to ensure agency compliance with applicable data privacy laws. In 2018, the Mayor established MOIP by executive order, making the Chief Privacy Officer its head. In making MOIP a charter-mandated office, this bill would also add to the enumerated powers and duties of the Chief Privacy Officer to comprehensively reflect their role within city government. <\/p>\n

Additionally in the realm of citywide efficiency, the Council will vote on a bill that would require New York City Emergency Management to ensure the periodic review of all citywide emergency plans coordinated by the Department. Representatives from relevant city agencies and non-governmental partners would be required to participate in this review, and the bill would require that summaries detailing the provisions of such plans be posted online. Procedures would be developed to provide the public with an opportunity for public comment. <\/p>\n

The Council will also vote on four bills related to the environment. First, to help promote better accountability and to enhance management at the Department of Environmental Protection, the Council will vote on a bill that would require the Commissioner to assign to each borough a Borough Commissioner to oversee DEP programs, personnel, and facilities within the borough, with regular reporting to the Commissioner of DEP. The Borough Commissioners would also consult when appropriate with the relevant Borough President, other DEP Borough Commissioners, and Community Boards. <\/p>\n

A second bill would authorize the New York City Mayor\u2019s Office of Environmental Remediation to issue civil penalties against parties who violate an OER Site Management Plan or another OER program requirement. The director of OER would also be able to designate other city agencies to issue relevant administrative summonses and notices of violation to enforce the provisions of this bill. <\/p>\n

Third, to encourage the use of more environmentally friendly energy sources, another bill would require the director of the Mayor\u2019s Office of Long-Term Planning and Sustainability, in consultation with an agency designated by the Mayor, to conduct a study for the installation of geothermal energy systems on government owned sites. Specifically, the bill would require that a study be conducted to determine potential sites to be retrofitted with such systems, then leading to the selection of up to 10 government owned buildings that could have geothermal systems installed to demonstrate their suitability. The bill would also require detailed reporting every two years on various aspects of the pilot program, including recommendations on its potential expansion. <\/p>\n

Last of the environmental bills, the Council will vote on legislation that would require the Department of Parks and Recreation to conduct risk and health inspections of every street tree under its jurisdiction with a trunk size greater than six inches at least once between each tree\u2019s pruning cycles. This would improve the health, management, and care of City street trees. Parks would be required to publicly post the criteria that it utilizes to inspect such trees and submit an annual report on how many trees are referred for inspection each year, how many actually get inspected, and the inspection results. This bill would also require Parks to maintain a regularly updated map on its website that displays each tree that was inspected, its results, and any action taken by Parks in response. <\/p>\n

Finally, the Council will also vote on several land use and finance items. <\/p>\n

GOVERNMENTAL OPERATIONS<\/strong> <\/p>\n

Gives non-citizens municipal voting rights<\/strong> <\/p>\n

Int. No. 1867<\/strong>, sponsored by Council Member Ydanis Rodriguez, will give certain non-United States citizens living in New York City the right to vote in local elections. A person will be entitled to vote under this bill if they (i) are either a lawful permanent resident or authorized to work in the United States, (ii) have been a resident of New York City for at least 30 consecutive days, and (iii) meet all the qualifications for registering to vote under the Election Law other than U.S. citizenship. Any person who satisfies these criteria will be eligible to register as a \u201cmunicipal voter\u201d with the NYC Board of Elections. Once registered, they will be entitled to vote in any primary, special, general, or run-off election for Mayor, Comptroller, Public Advocate, Borough President, or Council Member, and on any local ballot initiative. The bill does not authorize municipal voters to vote in any state or federal elections.  <\/p>\n

\u201cIn one of the most diverse cities in the world, we need to ensure that there is adequate representation for all New Yorkers. That starts by expanding the scope of who is allowed to vote in our local elections,\u201d said\u202fCouncil Member Ydanis Rodriguez.<\/strong>\u202f\u201cImmigrants in New York City own over half of the local businesses and contribute over $190 billion dollars to the citywide GDP. During the height of the pandemic, it was our immigrant New Yorkers who kept New York City running. Over half of our front-line essential workers are immigrants and approximately 1 in 5 are non-citizens New Yorkers. They have all earned the right to participate in our city elections. I want to thank Speaker Johnson, my colleagues at the council, The New York Immigration Coalition, United Neighborhood Houses, and the Our City, Our Vote coalition for their support and for getting us to this point. Today, we are writing a new chapter in our city’s history.\u202fOne that will finally include the voices of all immigrant New Yorkers who hold green cards, working authorizations, DACA, or TPS.\u201d <\/p>\n

At each local election, municipal voters will vote at the same polling places as U.S. citizen voters, and will not be required to form a separate line. If there are state and federal races taking place on the same day, municipal voters will be given a separate ballot that only includes local races. Municipal voters will be eligible to enroll in a political party for purposes of voting in local primary elections.  <\/p>\n

The BOE will be required to develop a new registration form for municipal voters. Such forms will need to be made available wherever voter registration forms for U.S. citizens are made available, and will need to be translated into any languages that U.S. citizen voter registration forms are translated into under state and federal law (currently, such forms must be translated into Spanish, Bengali, Korean and Chinese). All federal, state, and local confidentiality policies that pertain to U.S. citizens will also apply to municipal voters, and the BOE will be prohibited from publishing any list of registered municipal voters separately or distinctly from the complete list of all voters entitled to vote in New York City.  <\/p>\n

The bill will create an advisory group to provide recommendations regarding the implementation of this new system of municipal voting. The committee will be chaired by the Public Advocate, and will include two members appointed by the Mayor, and two members appointed by the Speaker. The advisory group will be required to meet at least twice per year and publish a report annually.  <\/p>\n

Under this bill, eligible non-citizens will be allowed to begin registering to vote as municipal voters on December 9, 2022, and registered municipal voters will be eligible to begin voting in local elections on January 9, 2023.  <\/p>\n

Office of Information Privacy<\/strong> <\/p>\n

Int. No. 2459-A<\/strong>, sponsored by Council member Oswald Feliz, will make the Mayor\u2019s Office of Information Privacy (MOIP) a charter-mandated office. Local Law 245 of 2017 established the position of Chief Privacy Officer to develop citywide protocols for responsible data collection and disclosure and to ensure agency compliance with applicable data privacy laws. In 2018, the Mayor issued Executive Order No. 34, which established MOIP and made the Chief Privacy Officer the head of such office.  <\/p>\n

“I am excited to introduce this important piece of legislation that will help bolster and protect the confidential information of New Yorkers,\u201d said Council Member Feliz.<\/strong> \u201cAs so many of us continue to depend on the digital world and as so many New Yorkers trust us in government to utilize their private information to render much needed services, it is imperative that we as a city are prepared to meet the cybersecurity demands of the 21st century. Whether it’s your child’s medical records, your credit card number or the routine personal information you provide to the DMV, we must be sure that all of this private information is appropriately protected from any potential harm or dissemination. We have to ensure that New York City is a place ready to protect from any cybersecurity issues of the future and I am proud to work with this Mayor and my colleagues in the City Council to ensure just that.” <\/p>\n

The bill will also add to the enumerated powers and duties of the Chief Privacy Officer to more fully reflect such officer\u2019s role within city government. Specifically, the bill specifies that the Chief Privacy Officer has the power and duty to: (i) advise the Mayor and senior city officials and provide guidance to city agencies on issues related to privacy; (ii) establish citywide privacy policies, standards and requirements; (iii) issue guidance to support city agency compliance with privacy laws, policies, and best practices; (iv) advise city agencies on the privacy aspects of suspected and known incidents involving the unauthorized collection, use or disclosure of identifying information; (v) collaborate with other city officials to advise on any necessary actions regarding such incidents; (vi) train city employees and contractors on privacy laws, policies, and best practices; (vii) advise city agencies on data sharing initiatives and data sharing agreements; and (viii) promulgate rules as necessary to carry out the power and duties of the office.  <\/p>\n

This bill takes effect immediately.  <\/p>\n

Creates nuclear disarmament and nuclear weapons-free zone advisory committee<\/strong> <\/p>\n

Int. 1621-A<\/strong>, sponsored by Council Member Daniel Dromm, will establish a committee to examine the City\u2019s position on nuclear disarmament and issues related to recognizing and reaffirming the City as a nuclear weapons- free zone. The committee would consist of seven members, three of whom would be appointed by the Speaker, and four of whom, including the chairperson, would be appointed by the Mayor. The chairperson would be required to be the head of a mayoral office or agency, and the other six members would be required to have demonstrated expertise in nuclear disarmament policy or experience in nuclear disarmament advocacy.  <\/p>\n

\u201cMy legislation will send a message to the world that New Yorkers will not remain idle under the threat of nuclear annihilation. We seek to right the wrongs of nuclear harms in our city by divesting funds, upholding international law, and remediating the environmental damage produced by the Manhattan Project,\u201d said\u202fFinance Chair Council Member Dromm<\/strong>, \u201cOur long-standing commitment to nuclear disarmament found new energy when I began discussions with Brendan Fay and Kathleen Sullivan, NYCAN organizers, in 2018 where nuclear threats were highlighted at the annual St. Pats for All parade in Sunnyside, Queens\u201d <\/p>\n

The advisory committee will be required to meet at least four time per year, and produce an annual report summarizing its findings, conclusions, and recommendations for policy and legislation. The committee will dissolve upon the submission of its fifth annual report. <\/p>\n

This bill takes effect immediately. <\/p>\n

PUBLIC SAFETY<\/strong> <\/p>\n

Allows CCRB to initiate complaints<\/strong> <\/p>\n

Int. No. 2440-A, <\/strong>sponsored by Council Member Adrienne Adams, will grant the Civilian Complaint Review Board (CCRB) the power to initiate its own complaints against members of the NYPD that allege misconduct involving excessive use of force, abuse of authority\u2014 including bias-based policing and racial profiling, discourtesy, or use of offensive language. <\/p>\n

“Granting the CCRB the authority to initiate complaints and investigations into alleged police misconduct is a long overdue but necessary reform,\u201d said\u202fCouncil Member Adrienne Adams<\/strong>. \u201cOur City cannot continue to put the burden on victims of wrongdoing to file a complaint. This legislation will result in greater accountability and will improve public safety for all New Yorkers.” <\/p>\n

Currently, CCRB may only conduct investigations of police misconduct in response to complaints filed by members of the public or final determinations by certain governmental entities. However, members of the public often do not initiate complaints with CCRB following incidents of alleged police misconduct for a variety of reasons, including lack of knowledge of the agencies role, lack of knowledge of how to file a complaint, and fear of retaliation, among other reasons. This change will strengthen the CCRB\u2019s investigations and advance increased police accountability. <\/p>\n

Prohibits NYPD from hiring members if previously dismissed from other police departments<\/strong> <\/p>\n

Int. No. 2297-A<\/strong>, sponsored by Council Member Francisco Moya, will amend qualification requirements for New York City police officers by prohibiting the NYPD from appointing an individual if such person had previously been dismissed from any police department due to findings of misconduct or resigned while under investigation pursuant to a charge of misconduct. This bill expands existing law that prohibit the NYPD from rehiring officers previously dismissed by the Department, and codifies existing Department practice of disqualifying applicants previously dismissed from another police department. <\/p>\n

\u201cSystemic racism has been plaguing cities around this country for far too long, one too many lives, one too many days. Every action towards meaningful police reform is a step towards dismantling systemic racism. My bill will help create more accountability and ensure we keep the bad apples, \u2018wandering\u2019 officers, from coming into our communities\u202fso we can better protect Black and Brown Lives.\u202fIf an officer is dismissed or resigns because of misconduct in another jurisdiction they should be ineligible for NYPD service. Plain and simple. I want to thank the Speaker and my colleagues for voting to pass Intro 2297,\u201d said\u202fCouncil Member Francisco Moya.<\/strong> <\/p>\n

HOUSING AND BUILDINGS<\/strong> <\/p>\n

Requires short-term rental <\/strong> <\/p>\n

Int. No. 2309-A, <\/strong>sponsored by Council Member Ben Kallos, require applicants seeking to rent out rooms in Class A dwelling units for fewer than 30 consecutive days as short-term rentals to register with the Mayor\u2019s Office of Special Enforcement and obtain a registration number before being permitted to rent out rooms. Booking services would be required to verify the short-term rental registration number of any accommodation before listing it on their service.  <\/p>\n

\u201cHousing should be for New Yorkers. Hotels should be for tourists. We need every apartment being listed illegally on Airbnb back on the market to help our affordable housing crisis. At a time when hotels are closing or sitting there empty, it is crazy to see apartments all over the city getting converted into illegal Airbnbs,\u201d said\u202fCouncil Member Ben Kallos.\u202f<\/strong>\u201cThank you to Tenants PAC and the Coalition Against Illegal Hotels for their expertise and assistance in getting this important legislation drafted and introduced.\u201d <\/p>\n

This local law takes effect 12 months after it becomes law, except that the provisions permitting enforcement against hosts and booking services shall take effect 16 months after it becomes law. <\/p>\n

TRANSPORTATION<\/strong> <\/p>\n

Creates program to install cameras on school buses<\/strong> <\/p>\n

Int. 1724-A, <\/strong>sponsored by Council Member Ben Kallos, will authorize the creation of a program for installing and operating cameras on school bus stop arms that are capable of photographing drivers that illegally pass a school bus. <\/p>\n

\u201cEvery child must be safe as they get on and off the school bus. It could be anyone\u2019s child at risk from drivers speeding by and worse yet drivers who have actually driven up on sidewalks,” said\u202fCouncil Member Ben Kallos<\/strong>. “We are all in a rush to get where we are going, but there is no excuse to put our children at risk. Stop-arm cameras will catch dangerous drivers and automatically issue tickets to keep our children safe.” <\/p>\n

Installs traffic control devices at intersections adjacent to schools<\/strong> <\/p>\n

Int. 9-A<\/strong>, sponsored by Council Member Inez Barron, will require that by September 30, 2022, the Department of Transportation (DOT) identifies each intersection immediately adjacent to a school that does not have a traffic control device, such as a stop sign or traffic control signal. No later than September 30, 2024, DOT would have to install a traffic control device at each such intersection. The type of traffic control device installed would be in accordance with the federal Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices and based upon DOT\u2019s engineering expertise and judgment.  <\/p>\n

\u201cIntro 9 was one of my first bills I submitted to be introduced when my term began,\u201d said Council Member Inez Barron<\/strong>. \u201cSince then, we\u2019ve seen school aged children tragically killed as a result of limited safety mechanisms as they walk to school. The purpose of this bill is to create a safe passage by requiring the installation of traffic control devices at intersections adjacent to schools. I thank Speaker Corey Johnson and Mayor Bill de\u202fBlasio for making this bill a reality. We must continue to make our streets safer for our children traveling to and from school.\u201d <\/p>\n

Traffic control devices, such as stop signs, stop lights and markings help educate and improve driver behavior in school zones. Of the approximately 6,800 intersections adjacent to City schools, about half are signalized. Ensuring that all such intersections have a traffic control device would increase the safety of pedestrians and bicyclists, particularly school children, near schools. 
This local law would take effect immediately. <\/p>\n

Allows motorcyclists to challenge tickets<\/strong> <\/p>\n

Int. No. 2201-A,<\/strong> sponsored by Council Member Carlina Rivera, will permit owners and operators of motorcycles to digitally provide photographic evidence that parking was paid for at the time of an alleged parking violation. Such photographic evidence would be submitted to the Department of Finance through their website and serve as an affirmative defense to the alleged violation.  <\/p>\n

\u201cI am committed to building a future for New York City that is safe, equitable, and inclusive \u2013 I am so proud to have passed several pieces of legislation that help achieve that goal today. Each of these four bills carries with it the dedicated advocacy of so many activists and organizations fighting for a more equitable New York City, and I am honored to have worked closely with them all to make this possible,\u201d said\u202fCouncil Member Carlina Rivera<\/strong>. \u201cInt. 2201 brings overdue justice to motorcyclists in traffic court. Int. 1625B provides access to long-acting reversible contraception (LARC) to all New Yorkers, regardless of ability to pay, and honors our nation\u2019s history of forced sterilization with cultural competency training to ensure access includes education. Int. 2141 removes clinically outdated, derogatory terms from our City\u2019s health laws, replacing them with language that ensures the City can provide inclusive, person-first services to all New Yorkers. Finally, Int. 2372, my bill with Council Member Selvena Brooks-Powers, offers a path to healing for survivors who have been failed by the very institutions tasked to protect them by creating a two-year \u201clook back\u201d window for survivors of gender-motivated violence to file civil actions against their assailants under the Gender-Motivated Violence Protection Act of 2000, even if the statute of limitations in the case has already expired. Each of these bills marks real, transformative progress for the people of New York City, and I look forward to working on their implementation with the incoming administration.\u201d <\/p>\n

Paper parking meter vouchers can be stolen or fly away when affixed to a motorcycle. Without a copy of such voucher, motorcyclists are unable to demonstrate that they paid for parking or challenge a parking violation. Individuals may dispute a parking violation by submitting evidence via the website for the Department of Finance, which adjudicates parking tickets. Allowing motorcyclists to photograph the parking meter voucher and use such photograph as evidence that they paid for parking would enable them to challenge parking violations electronically.  <\/p>\n

This local law would take effect on the same date that Proposed Int. 2422-A takes effect.  <\/p>\n

Prohibits sale of devices to distort image of license plates <\/strong> <\/p>\n

Int. No. 2417-A,<\/strong> sponsored by Council Member Robert Holden, will prohibit the sale or distribution of any materials or substances for the purpose of concealing or obscuring the numbers on license plates or distorting a recorded or photographic image of a license plate. The penalty for violations would be at least $300 for the first violation and at least $500 for any subsequent violation and would be recoverable in a proceeding before the Office of Administrative Trials and Hearings.  <\/p>\n

 \u201cLawless behavior on our roads has become more brazen than ever,\u201d said Council Member<\/strong> Robert Holden<\/strong>. I have frequently seen these devices on vehicles throughout the city, often driving recklessly while defeating\u202fred light and speed cameras. These products have no purpose but to be installed to intentionally violate the law by obscuring a vehicle\u2019s license plate so that the scofflaw driver can commit crimes, ranging anywhere from reckless driving to much more serious ones, with impunity.\u202f\u202fThose who sell these products know their only use and must be deterred from trading in them or face a penalty. This bill will give law enforcement the means to make our streets a little safer.\u201d <\/p>\n

It is illegal in New York State to obscure a motor vehicle\u2019s license plate so that such plate is unreadable by toll, red light and speed cameras. However, stores continue to sell such products. People use these products so that toll, red light and speed cameras cannot read their license plates, thereby enabling the driver to avoid tolls and penalties. State law sets forth a maximum penalty of $200. However, such amount is likely insufficient to deter stores from selling such products.  <\/p>\n

This local law would take effect 90 days after it becomes law. <\/p>\n

HEALTH<\/strong> <\/p>\n

Requires DOHMH to provide FDA-approved methods of non-surgical contraception<\/strong> <\/p>\n

Int. No. 1625-B, <\/strong>sponsored by Council Member Carlina Rivera, will require the Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH) to make available FDA-approved methods of non-surgical contraception, as well as long-acting reversible contraception (LARC), which includes, but is not limited to, intrauterine devices and subdermal contraceptive implants. <\/p>\n

DOHMH will be required to make non-surgical contraception and LARC available at health centers, health stations, health clinics and other health facilities operated or maintained by DOHMH which also offer services relating to the diagnosis and treatment of sexually transmitted diseases. DOHMH will also be required to offer cultural sensitivity trainings to employees of its health centers, stations, clinics, and other health facilities, including training on the history of the provision of long-acting contraceptive, and the history of sterilization abuse; comprehensive, scientifically accurate information about the full range of contraceptive options in a medically ethical and culturally competent manner; and implicit and explicit biases which can result in the harm of a patient, particularly those which can impede the fair and equal treatment of all patients.  <\/p>\n

Long-Acting Reversible Contraception (LARC) refers to several FDA-approved methods of birth control that are intended to last for at least several years without requiring any user action (such as taking a daily pill). LARC methods are considered the most effective form of birth control in preventing unwanted pregnancy, beside abstinence. Despite its efficacy, only 5.8 percent of adolescents and women ages 15\u201319 have ever used a LARC method. <\/p>\n

Some barriers to use of LARC methods by young women and adolescents include lack of familiarity or understanding about LARCs, lack of access, low parental acceptance, high costs of initiation, and obstetrician\u2013gynecologists\u2019 and other health care providers\u2019 misconceptions about the safety of LARC use in adolescents. When cost barriers were eliminated and the LARC method was explained, research found that more than two thirds of females aged 14\u201320 years chose a LARC method.  <\/p>\n

Currently, DOHMH maintains several health clinics centered on patient sexual health, which provide low- to no-cost services for sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and accept all types of insurance. <\/p>\n

FIRE AND EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT<\/strong> <\/p>\n

Inter-agency emergency plans<\/strong> <\/p>\n

Int. No. 1949-A, <\/strong>sponsored by Council Member Laurie Cumbo, will require New York City Emergency Management to ensure the periodic review of all citywide emergency plans coordinated by the Department. Representatives from relevant city agencies and non-governmental partners would be required to participate in this review. Additionally, the bill would require that summaries detailing the provisions of such plans be posted online, and procedures would be developed to provide the public with an opportunity to comment on emergency planning. <\/p>\n

PARKS AND RECREATION<\/strong> <\/p>\n

Requires tree inspections<\/strong> <\/p>\n

Int. 2366-A, <\/strong>sponsored by Council Member Peter Koo, will require the Department of Parks and Recreation (DPR) to conduct risk and health inspections of every street tree under its jurisdiction that has a caliper size greater than 6 inches at least once between each tree\u2019s pruning cycles to improve the health, management and care of City street trees. <\/p>\n

\u201cOur city\u2019s trees are one of our most important natural resources,\u201d said\u202fCouncilmember Peter Koo.<\/strong>\u202f\u201cBy requiring more regular risk and health assessments, we are ensuring that our urban canopy will last for generations to come. Additional reporting and posting requirements will also finally shed light on how the city responds to 311 referrals for tree inspections and subsequent actions taken. This is an important step towards protecting our city\u2019s trees and I look forward to a greener, safer, and healthier urban canopy.\u201d <\/p>\n

Additionally, this bill will require DPR to publicly post the criteria that it utilizes to inspect such trees and submit an annual report on how many trees are referred for inspection each year, how many are actually inspected each year and the results of such inspections. Finally, DPR would be required to maintain a regularly updated map on its website that displays each tree that was inspected, the result of such inspection and the action taken by the DPR in response to the result of such inspection.  <\/p>\n

This local law would take effect immediately, except for the map requirement, which would take effect one year after the bill takes effect. <\/p>\n

ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION<\/strong> <\/p>\n

Requires borough commissioners at DEP<\/strong> <\/p>\n

Int. No. 2425-A, <\/strong>sponsored by Council Member Rafael Salamanca, will require the Commissioner of the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) to assign to each borough a Borough Commissioner, who would oversee DEP programs, personnel, and facilities within the borough and regularly inform the Commissioner of DEP regarding such programs, personnel, and facilities. The Borough Commissioners would also consult when appropriate with the relevant Borough President, other DEP Borough Commissioners and Community Boards.  <\/p>\n

This local law would take effect 90 days after it becomes law. <\/p>\n

Creates pilot program for geothermal systems<\/strong> <\/p>\n

Int. No. 51-A<\/strong>, sponsored by Council Member Bill Perkins, will require the director of the Mayor\u2019s Office of Long-Term Planning and Sustainability, in consultation with an agency designated by the mayor, to conduct a study for the installation of geothermal energy systems on government owned sites. <\/p>\n

Specifically, the bill would require that a study first be conducted by the director to determine what potential sites could be retrofitted with such systems and then select up to 10 government owned buildings that could have geothermal systems installed in order to demonstrate the suitability of such systems. The bill would also require detailed reporting every 2 years on various aspects of the pilot program, including recommendations on whether the program should be expanded.  <\/p>\n

This local law would take effect 180 days after it becomes law. <\/p>\n

Enforces environmental remediation plans<\/strong> <\/p>\n

Int. No. 2460-A,<\/strong> sponsored by Council Member James Gennaro, will authorize the New York City Mayor\u2019s Office of Environmental Remediation (OER) authority to issue civil penalties against parties who violate an OER Site Management Plan or another OER program requirement. The director of OER would also be able to designate other city agencies to issue relevant administrative summonses and notices of violation to enforce the provisions of this bill.  <\/p>\n

This local law would take effect 90 days after it becomes law. <\/p>\n

CIVIL SERVICE AND LABOR<\/strong> <\/p>\n

Helps ameliorate the \u201cfree rider\u201d effect <\/strong> <\/p>\n

Int. No. 2454, <\/strong>sponsored by Council Member Daneek Miller, will help ameliorate the \u201cfree rider\u201d effect by removing specific services and benefits that public sector unions are required to provide to non-members thereby reducing the union\u2019s obligations and financial strain and ultimately preserving the viability of public sector unions. This bill will amend the New York City Collective Bargaining Law to allow non-members to proceed through the grievance and arbitration process without union representation, so long as the non-member assumes the cost. <\/p>\n

In the aftermath of the Supreme Court\u2019s 2018 decision in Janus v. AFSCME<\/em>, which declared that unions could no longer collect mandatory \u201cfair share\u201d fees to cover the cost of collective bargaining, union leaders feared that more public workers would withdraw from their unions, magnifying the \u201cfree rider\u201d effect where employees can reap the benefits of union bargaining without supporting the union financially.  <\/p>\n

The bill would also remove a reference to \u201cagency fees\u201d which are no longer required to be paid by non-members. The bill would allow non-members, in certain circumstances and with the permission of the union, to proceed through the grievance process and arbitration without union representation, so long as the non-member assumes the cost for arbitration that would otherwise be paid by the union.  <\/p>\n

This bill would take effect 30 days after it becomes law. <\/p>\n

Calls on city comptroller to divest from and avoid any financial exposure to companies involved in the production and maintenance of nuclear weapons  <\/strong> <\/p>\n

Res. 976-A,<\/strong> sponsored by Council Member Daniel Dromm, calls on the New York City Comptroller to instruct the pension funds of public employees in New York City to divest from and avoid any financial exposure to companies involved in the production and maintenance of nuclear weapons. The City\u2019s pension system for formerly City-employed retirees has significant investments in financial institutions and other companies involved in producing key components and maintaining nuclear weapons. <\/p>\n

\u201cMy legislation will send a message to the world that New Yorkers will not remain idle under the threat of nuclear annihilation. We seek to right the wrongs of nuclear harms in our city by divesting funds, upholding international law, and remediating the environmental damage produced by the Manhattan Project,\u201d said\u202fFinance Chair Council Member Dromm<\/strong>, \u201cOur long-standing commitment to nuclear disarmament found new energy when I began discussions with Brendan Fay and Kathleen Sullivan, NYCAN organizers, in 2018 where nuclear threats were highlighted at the annual St. Pats for All parade in Sunnyside, Queens\u201d <\/p>\n

These investments include equity holdings, bond holdings and other assets with BlackRock, JPMorgan Chase, Bank of America, CitiGroup, Evercore, Wells Fargo and Goldman Sachs. Furthermore, the Resolution calls on New York City to join the International Campaign to Abolish Nuclear Weapons (ICAN) Cities Appeal, a commitment that seeks to build local support for the United Nations Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons (TPNW), with the aim of influencing the national government to sign on to the Treaty. The Treaty prohibits the development, testing, production, manufacture, acquisition, possession, stockpiling, stationing, transfer, use and threat of use of nuclear weapons among the member nations, with the eventual goal of total elimination of nuclear weapons. <\/p>\n

CONSUMER AFFAIRS AND BUSINESS LICENSING <\/strong> <\/p>\n

Provides information on loan forgiveness program<\/strong> <\/p>\n

Int. No. 2130-A<\/strong>, sponsored by Council Member Helen Rosenthal, will help connect New Yorkers with information on student loan forgiveness. It would require the Department of Citywide Administrative Services, working with the Department of Consumer and Worker Protection (DCWP), to prepare a notice for employees and job applicants regarding the availability of federal and state student loan forgiveness programs. For city employees, the notice would state that the employee may qualify for student loan forgiveness, provide the official website address for each student loan forgiveness program and encourage the employee to examine the eligibility requirements. City agencies would have to provide the notice to agency employees within five days of beginning employment, within 15 days of the bill\u2019s effective date if already employed, and in job advertisements as appropriate. DCWP would make the notice available to all private sector employers in New York City to provide to their employees if they choose, and would also be required to provide outreach and education to private sector employers about the forgiveness programs.  <\/p>\n

\u201cWe all know that student loan debt is essentially crushing millions of Americans, New Yorkers included. The debt that so many are carrying prohibits them from building long-term careers in public service, because their salaries simply cannot sustain the loan payments. We need our best and brightest working in service of our city. In order to recruit and keep them, ensuring they are aware of the possibility of student loan forgiveness\u202fis the least we can do,\u201d said Council Member Helen Rosenthal<\/strong>.<\/strong> <\/p>\n

There are several loan forgiveness programs available. Graduates who find employment with the public sector or not-for-profit organizations may qualify for student loan forgiveness on government loans, called the Public Service Loan Forgiveness program. Similarly, teachers who teach full-time for five consecutive years in low-income schools may also be eligible for loan forgiveness for up to $17,500. Many employees working for the City could qualify for one or both of these programs. Private sector employees may also qualify for forgiveness of federal loans in certain programs. In an effort to address the student loan debt crisis, President Biden and the U.S. Department of Education have overhauled the Public Service Loan Forgiveness program to put more than 550,000 public service workers closer to loan forgiveness.  <\/p>\n

This bill would take effect 90 days after it becomes law.  <\/p>\n

WOMEN AND GENDER EQUITY<\/strong> <\/p>\n

Creates a pilot program for legal assistance in divorce proeceedings for survivors of domestic violence<\/strong> <\/p>\n

 
Int. No. 1085-B, <\/strong>sponsored by Council Member Mark Treyger, will require the Office of the Civil Justice Coordinator (\u201cCoordinator\u201d) to establish a two-year-long pilot program to provide free brief legal assistance and full legal representation to domestic violence survivors in divorce proceedings. In establishing the program, the Coordinator would convene a working group by February 15, 2022\u2014consisting of representatives from the Mayor\u2019s Office to End Domestic and Gender-Based Violence (ENDGBV), the Administration for Children\u2019s Services (ACS) and the Human Resources Administration (HRA)\u2014which would consult with service providers and produce a report with recommendations for the pilot program by May 15, 2022. <\/p>\n

\u201cNo one should have to stay in an abusive marriage simply because they can\u2019t afford a divorce lawyer. Int.1085-B will provide survivors of domestic violence with free legal services for divorce proceedings and court fees. Because of this bill, victims of domestic violence can focus on their safety without having to worry about the cost of a divorce. It is hard enough for domestic violence survivors to make safe exit plans; court costs should not be a consideration. This is such an important bill and I\u2019m so grateful to all of those who have worked with us on making this bill a reality. I thank Speaker Corey Johnson for putting this bill forward for a vote,\u201d said\u202fCouncil Member Mark Treyger<\/strong>.\u202f\u202f <\/p>\n

The Coordinator would then be required to identify designated organizations to provide legal representation and establish the pilot program by September 1, 2022. The working group would then produce two subsequent reports: (1) a progress report on the number and types of cases and fees, to be submitted by April 1, 2023, and (2) a final report with additional assessments of the pilot and recommendations for potentially expanding the pilot, to be completed by November 1, 2024. Finally, ENDGBV would also be required to work with the Coordinator to offer trauma- informed training and create outreach related to the availability of the program by September 1, 2022.  <\/p>\n

This bill would take effect immediately. <\/p>\n

Extends the statute of limitations for actions under the gender-motivated violence act<\/strong> <\/p>\n

Int. No. 2372-A<\/strong>, sponsored by Council Member Carlina Rivera, will extend the statute of limitations for a civil action alleging a gender-motivated act of violence from seven to nine years. The bill would also clarify that the law applies to such acts committed by parties who direct, enable, participate in, or conspire in a gender-motivated act of violence.  <\/p>\n

This bill would take effect immediately. <\/p>\n

CONTRACTS <\/strong> <\/p>\n

Tracks M\/WBE certifications<\/strong> <\/p>\n

Int. No. 1624-A<\/strong>, sponsored by Ben Kallos, will expand the data included in the city\u2019s Minority- and Women-Owned Business Enterprise (\u201cM\/WBE\u201d) quarterly report in order to provide additional information regarding available certified M\/WBE vendors.  <\/p>\n

Every two years the administration is required to conduct a M\/WBE disparity study to analyze the city\u2019s progress in reducing the disparity in contracting between available M\/WBE firms and those that are awarded city contracts. Unfortunately, that means the data from the disparity study remains unchanged in the interim period between studies and does not inform agencies and policymakers on the progress made in various M\/WBE-focused initiatives or programs during that interim period.  <\/p>\n

“Communities of color facing discrimination everyday shouldn\u2019t have to wait 5 years for a report confirming what we and they already know,”\u202fsaid\u202fCouncil Member Ben Kallos<\/strong>. \u201cReal time reporting on racial disparities facing MWBEs seeking billions in City Contracts will provide a crucial tool in the fight for racial equity in city contracts. <\/p>\n

In order to keep the public updated on the progress of M\/WBE contracting in the city, the Mayor\u2019s Office of Contract Services (\u201cMOCS\u201d) and the Department of Small Business Services (\u201cSBS\u201d), in coordination with the Office of Minority and Women\u2019s Owned Businesses (\u201cOM\/WBE\u201d) produces a quarterly report outlining the progress of the M\/WBE Program. This bill will require the number of certified M\/WBE firms to be updated in each version of that report, and for such information also to be reflected as a percentage increase from the previous quarterly report. <\/p>\n

This bill goes into effect 120 days after it becomes law. <\/p>\n

MENTAL HEALTH, DISABILITIES AND ADDICTION<\/strong> <\/p>\n

Creates the office of community health and mental hygiene<\/strong> <\/p>\n

Int. No. 2442-A, <\/strong>sponsored by Diana Ayala, will require the Mayor to establish an Office of Community Mental Health (OCMH) within the Executive Office of the Mayor, or as a separate office, or within any other agency or office headed by a mayoral appointee. <\/p>\n

OCMH would be charged with the following duties and operations: request and receive the assistance of any other agency or office; develop and support the implementation of strategies to close gaps in mental health care; develop interagency policies and practices to promote mental health; decrease any barriers to mental health care that may prevent access among groups identified as being under-served; and perform any other relevant duties as the mayor may assign.  <\/p>\n

\u201cIntro 2442 is a first step in ensuring we close the existing gaps in Mental Health Care\u201d said Councilmember Ayala<\/strong>.\u202f \u201cThe creation of the Office of Community Mental Health will decrease barriers and streamline processes to promote mental health and wellbeing. Increasing collaboration between interagency offices will improve implementation and ensures that mental health care remains a priority in our communities.\u201d <\/p>\n

Additionally, OCMH will be responsible to ensure interagency coordination with DOHMH or any other office or agency. This bill would also require the establishment of a Mental Health Council to advise OCMH on issues relating to mental health and mental health care and facilitate coordination and cooperation among city agencies. <\/p>\n

Finally, OCMH will be required to annually report to the Mayor and Speaker of the Council, and post to OCMH\u2019s website, a report identifying critical gaps in mental health care that are preventing New Yorkers with mental health needs from accessing and staying connected to care.  <\/p>\n

This bill would go into effect 90 days after it becomes law.  <\/p>\n

Removes outdated clinical language<\/strong> <\/p>\n

Int. No. 2141-A<\/strong>, sponsored by Council Member Carlina Rivera, will remove references to \u201cmental retardation\u201d and substitute the term \u201cintellectual disability\u201d or \u201cintellectual and developmental disability,\u201d as applicable, in such sections.  <\/p>\n

In 2010, Congress passed Rosa\u2019s Law, which changed references to \u201cmental retardation\u201d in specified federal laws to \u201cintellectual disability,\u201d in recognition of the fact that the term \u201cmental retardation\u201d is archaic, insensitive and stigmatizing, and clinically outdated. With respect to the City\u2019s consolidated laws, the term \u201cmental retardation\u201d appears in 10 sections across the Charter and the Administrative Code.  <\/p>\n

This bill would go into effect immediately after it becomes law.  <\/p>\n

VETERANS<\/strong> <\/p>\n

Offering discharge upgrade assistance and extending city veteran benefits to service members discharged because of their LGBTQ status<\/strong> <\/p>\n

Int. No. 479-A, <\/strong>sponsored by Council Member Daniel Dromm, will extend all city benefits and services to veterans who have bad discharge papers due solely or in part to their sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or, for veterans who identify as LGBTQ, untreated trauma, including that resulting from sexual assault which occurred during military service. <\/p>\n

\u201cNobody should be denied benefits or services of any kind in the City of New York because of their sexual orientation, especially those who have served our country,\u201d said Council Member<\/strong> Daniel Dromm<\/strong>. \u201cWe must right the wrongs of our past. Despite the end of \u2018Don\u2019t Ask, Don\u2019t Tell\u2019 many LGBTQ+ New Yorkers do not realize they can and should rectify their service records.\u202f My legislation will require the DVS to provide discharge upgrade assistance to those negatively impacted.\u202f Critically, the Department will be required to widely publicize both this legal help and the certificate of eligibility.\u201d <\/p>\n

This bill would also require DVS to issue a certificate of eligibility to a discharged LGBTQ veteran on request that can be used as proof of their eligibility to receive certain city benefits and services available to veterans. The bill would also require DVS to conduct outreach to raise awareness about these certificates of eligibility and the availability of legal services for discharged LGBTQ veterans, and to also make information about obtaining such certificates or legal services available on the department\u2019s website. <\/p>\n

This bill further requires DVS to offer discharge upgrade assistance to LGBTQ veterans who were discharged from military service with an other-than-honorable discharge status due solely or in part to sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or, for veterans who identify as LGBTQ, untreated trauma, including that resulting from sexual assault which occurred during military service.  <\/p>\n

This bill would take effect 120 days after it becomes law. <\/p>\n

Amends definition of the term veteran within the city Charter and adds 2 new members to the VAB<\/strong> <\/p>\n

Int. No. 2354-B<\/strong>, sponsored by Council Member Eric Dinowitz, amend the definition of the term \u201cveteran\u201d under the city Charter to include persons who currently serve or who have served in the United States military regardless of time served or discharge status. This expanded definition would ensure that all New York City veterans are eligible for city services and benefits. This bill would also expand the Veterans\u2019 Advisory Board (VAB) from 11 members to 13. The board would include two new members who are either an immediate family member, spouse or domestic partner, survivor or caregiver of a veteran.  <\/p>\n

This bill would take effect 120 days after it becomes law. <\/p>\n

LAND USE<\/strong> <\/p>\n

Citywide Hotels Text Amendment<\/strong> – The New York City Department of City Planning proposes a zoning text amendment to establish a CPC special permit mechanism for new hotels, and for enlargements where hotels are permitted as-of-right today, in C1, C2, C4, C5, C6, C8, Mixed Use (MX), and paired M1\/R districts. The proposed CPC special permit would replace existing CPC special permits for new hotels in the special purpose districts. The proposed zoning text amendment would affect every community district within the City, since all community districts contain zoning districts that currently permit as-of-right hotel development, either in commercial (C) districts or mixed-use (MX) districts. The Council will modify this application.  <\/p>\n

Starrett-Lehigh and Terminal Warehouse Rezoning – <\/strong>RXR SL Owner LLC and Terminal Fee Owner LP, the owners of the properties located at 601 West 26th Street (Block 672, Lot 1; the \u201cStarrett-Lehigh Building\u201d); and 261 11th Avenue (Block 673, Lot 1; \u201cTerminal Warehouse\u201d) seek a zoning map change and zoning text amendment to  extend the West Chelsea Special District and expand the uses permitted on the two sites (both sites encompass an entire block), to allow more mixed-use creative purposes such as companies that manufacture and sell their goods in the same building; and modify applicable bulk, loading and signage regulations to facilitate the long-term adaptive reuse of the Starrett-Lehigh Building and Terminal Warehouse. The Council will modify this application in Speaker Corey Johnson\u2019s district.  <\/p>\n

506 Third Avenue – <\/strong>PAB 3rd Avenue Holdings, LLC, seeks a proposed zoning map amendment from M2-1 to C4-4A on the west side of 3rd Avenue between 13th and 11th Streets and related zoning text amendment to Appendix F of the Zoning Resolution to designate a Mandatory Inclusionary Housing Area. These actions will facilitate a five-story commercial development and a commercial enlargement at a nearby property. The Council will modify this application in Council Member Brad Lander\u2019s district. <\/p>\n

Bed Stuy East and Weeksville Mosaic – <\/strong>New York City Department of Housing Preservation and Development (HPD) seeks the approval of an Urban Development Action Area Project (UDAAP) and approval of a real property tax exemption pursuant to Section 577 of Article XI to facilitate development of 46 affordable cooperative homeownership units in Council Members Robert Cornegy and Alicka Ampry-Samuel\u2019s districts.  <\/p>\n

1 Wythe Avenue – <\/strong>One Wythe LLC, seeks a zoning text amendment to include Brooklyn Block 2631 (bounded by Wythe Ave, North 15th St, and Banker St) as an Industrial Business Incentive Area (IBIA) and related special permits to increase the maximum FAR from 2.0 to 4.8 for specific industrial and commercial uses, adjust height and setback controls, and reduce off-street parking and loading requirements.<\/strong> These actions would facilitate the development of a 110\u2019 tall mixed-use building with approximately 67,000 square feet of commercial space and 13,500 square feet of required light industrial space, 1,438 sq. ft. would be provided as publicly accessible open space and 15 bicycle parking spaces will be provided. The ground floor would have a flexible layout to accommodate industrial and accessory uses in Council Member Stephen Levin\u2019s district.  <\/p>\n

Beach 79<\/strong>th<\/sup><\/strong> Street Self Storage Rezoning – <\/strong>79 Arverne Development LLC, owner of the property located at 350 Beach 79th Street seeks a zoning map amendment to rezone the project area from an M1-1 zoning district to an M1-2 zoning district to facilitate the development of an approximately 146,000 square foot self-storage building on the Site in the neighborhood of Arverne, Queens, in Council Member Selvena Brooks-Powers\u2019 district.   <\/p>\n

45-20 83<\/strong>rd<\/sup><\/strong> Street Rezoning – <\/strong>Sunshine Elmhurst LLC, proposes a zoning map amendment to change an existing M1-1 zoning district to an R7A zoning district, and a zoning text amendment to Zoning Resolution Appendix F to establish an MIH Area coterminous with the Project Area mapping both Option 1 and Option 2 within the proposed Project Area. These actions will facilitate a new nine-story residential building with 163 units, 41 to 49, permanently affordable, in Council Member Daniel Dromm\u2019s district. <\/p>\n

31st Street and Hoyt Avenue Rezoning – <\/strong>MDM Development Group LLC, 2441 Astoria Associates, LLC, and 31 Neptune LLC, request approval of a zoning map amendment changing C4-3 and R5B zoning districts to C4-5X and C4-4 zoning districts along the 31st<\/sup> Street corridor generally between Astoria Boulevard and 23rd Road, as well as a zoning text amendment to Zoning Resolution Appendix F to establish the Rezoning Area as a Mandatory Inclusionary Housing (\u201cMIH\u201d) Area mapping Option 1. These actions will facilitate the transit-oriented development of three new mixed commercial, community facility, and residential buildings, with 287 housing units, 69 permanently affordable, in Council Member Tiffany Cab\u00e1n\u2019s district. <\/p>\n

572-Seat Primary School Facility (Queens) \u2013 <\/strong>The New York City School Construction Authority (NYCSCA), <\/strong>proposed site selection for property located at the corner of Water\u2019s Edge Drive and 24th Avenue in the Bay Terrace neighborhood of Queens for a new primary public school facility with approximately 572 seats which will serve Community School District 25, in Council Member Paul Vallone\u2019s district.  <\/p>\n

801-Seat High School Facility – <\/strong>The New York City School Construction Authority (NYCSCA), proposed site selection for property located at 165-18 Hillside Avenue in the Jamaica Hills neighborhood of Queens for a new public high school facility with approximately 801 seats, in Council Member I. Daneek Miller\u2019s district. <\/p>\n

New Supportive Space for Existing Hungerford School – <\/strong>The New York City School Construction Authority (NYCSCA), proposed site selection of Block 534, Lot 84 and any other property in the immediate vicinity which may be necessary for use as supportive space for the existing school facility located at Block 534, Lot 75 in Community School District No. 31, in Council Member Deborah Rose\u2019s district.  <\/p>\n

 572-Seat Primary School Facility (Staten Island) – <\/strong>The New York City School Construction Authority (NYCSCA), proposed site selection for property located at 24 Shelley Avenue, Staten Island, for a construction of a new primary public school with approximately 572 seats which will serve Community School District 31, in Council Member David Carr\u2019s district. <\/p>\n

Stapleton Beacon Article XI Disposition – <\/strong>The New York City Department of Housing Preservation and Development (NYC HPD), seeks approval of an Article X1 tax exemption pursuant to Section 577 of the Private Housing Finance Law, to facilitate the renovation of a large city-owned site with a mixed-use development with approximately 359 affordable housing units and approximately 9,000 square feet of community facility space, in Council Member Deborah Rose\u2019s district. <\/p>\n

New York City Law Department Office Space \u2013 <\/strong>The application was withdrawn, in Council Member I. Daneek Miller\u2019s district. <\/p>\n

Finance<\/strong> <\/p>\n

Int. No. 1520-A, <\/strong>sponsored by Council Member Daniel Dromm, would require the Department of Finance to report on the operations of the Parking Violations Bureau, including specific information about the number and types of parking violations and camera violations issued, the Bureau\u2019s efficiency of collection of penalties, the adjudication efficiency and outcomes, and separate information about violations subject to any program of the department that allows for the payment of a reduced fine by waiving a right to a hearing. <\/p>\n

Int. No. 2458, <\/strong>sponsored by Council Member Daniel Dromm, would authorize two existing business improvement districts (\u201cBIDs\u201d) throughout the City to increase the amount they expend annually. The BIDs intend to increase their budgets as follows: Lower East Side BID, from $1,300,000 to $2,000,000; and Hudson Yards BID, from $3,000,000 to $6,000,000. <\/p>\n

Hong Ning Senior Housing<\/strong>, in Council Member Margaret Chin\u2019s district, will receive a 40-year, partial Article XI property tax exemption to preserve 156 units of affordable rental housing. <\/p>\n

Johanna I, <\/strong>in Council Member Bill Perkins\u2019 district, will receive a 40-year, partial Article XI property tax exemption to preserve 60 units of affordable rental housing. <\/p>\n

250 West HDFC<\/strong>, in Council Member Bill Perkins\u2019 district, will receive a 32-year, partial Article XI property tax exemption to preserve 26 units of affordable rental housing. <\/p>\n

1018 East 163<\/strong>rd<\/sup><\/strong> Street<\/strong>, in Council Member Rafael Salamanca\u2019s district, will receive a 3-year, partial Article V property tax exemption to preserve 97 units of affordable rental housing. <\/p>\n

Seaview Estates<\/strong>, in Council Member Debbie Rose\u2019s district, will receive a 40-year, partial Article XI property tax exemption to preserve 156 units of affordable rental housing. <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

The Council will also vote to expand access to long-acting reversible birth control in City-run health facilities<\/em> <\/p>\n

City Hall, NY<\/strong> \u2013 New York City is proudly home to millions of working, taxpaying immigrants, yet those who are not U.S. citizens have no power at the ballot box to determine who represents them. The Council today will vote on historic legislation to give eligible non-citizen New Yorkers the right to vote in local elections. Under this bill, any New Yorker who is a lawful permanent resident or authorized to work in the United States, who has been a resident of New York City for at least 30 consecutive days, and who meets all the qualifications for registering to vote under the Election Law other than U.S.<\/p>\n

…<\/p>\n

READ MORE<\/a><\/small><\/strong><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":158,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-2115","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-uncategorized"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/council.nyc.gov\/press\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2115","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/council.nyc.gov\/press\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/council.nyc.gov\/press\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/council.nyc.gov\/press\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/158"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/council.nyc.gov\/press\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2115"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/council.nyc.gov\/press\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2115\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/council.nyc.gov\/press\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2115"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/council.nyc.gov\/press\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2115"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/council.nyc.gov\/press\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2115"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}