On July 13, 2023, the City Council passed Int. 193-A and Int. 200-A, two bills aimed to further improve the city’s laws to prevent lead poisoning.
City Council
Council Passes Bill to Further Crack Down on Illegal Smoke Shops
The Council passed the bill the same day Governor Hochul announced additional state measures to address illegal smoke shops. On June 22, 2023, the City Council Committee on Public Safety passed a new bill to address New York City’s ongoing problem with unlicensed smoke shops. Int. 1001-B (2023), sponsored by Council Member Lynn Schulman from Queens, will hold landlords accountable for knowingly leasing a commercial premises to an unlicensed tenant who sells controlled substances or … <Read More>
Council Approves Two Bills to Expand Resources for LGBTQ+ and Runaway Homeless Youth
On June 8, 2023, the City Council approved two bills to expand resources for LGBTQ+ and runaway homeless youth. Both bills, Int. 976-A and 977-A, were sponsored by Council Member Althea Stevens.
City Council Creates Mandatory Citywide Residential Organics Collection Program as Part of Zero Waste Act
Residents will be required to sort out organic waste, like recycling. On June 8, 2023, the City Council voted to approve the Zero Waste Act, a package of bills aimed at reducing the amount of organic waste in landfills. The Zero Waste Act consists of five bills, including the creation of a mandatory organic waste curbside collection program.
Council Passes Bill to Include High School Students in Ferry Discount Program
On March 16, 2023, the NYC Council approved Council Member Amanda Farías’s bill, Int. 0236-2022, that will reduce NYC Ferry’s fares for NYC high school students by including them in the NYC Ferry Discount Program.
Council Bill Requires Mental Health Services Availability for Families in Shelters
On March 14, 2023, Mayor Eric Adams signs Local Law 35 of 2023. The new law was originally introduced as Int. No. 522 on June 16, 2022, by Council Member Erik Bottcher. This law requires mental health professionals to be available in each Department of Homeless Services shelter that serves families with children. The bill would require a ratio of one full-time mental health professional for every 50 families.