NEWS FROM THE NEW YORK CITY COUNCIL

Council to vote on first pieces of legislation under Speaker Corey Johnson’s leadership

  The New York City Council will vote on a package of legislation to better serve the needs of runaway and homeless youth. In addition, the Council will vote on legislation that clarifies the requirements for becoming construction site safety providers. Next, the Council will vote on a resolution calling on the New York State Legislature to amend the penal law to include individuals in police custody as being categorically incapable of consenting to sexual conduct with a police officer. Finally, the Council will vote on land use items covering Manhattan and Brooklyn.

Runaway and Homeless Youth Package:

Developing a Plan to Serve All Runaway and Homeless Youth

Introduction 410-A, sponsored by Speaker Corey Johnson, would require the Department of Youth and Community Development (DYCD) to report annually on runaway and homeless youth. The bill would also require that DYCD to develop a plan to provide shelter to all runaway and homeless youth who request shelter.

“There are few crises more heartbreaking than that of youth homelessness. Sadly, this is a crisis that disproportionately impacts the LGBTQ community, of which I am a proud member. We must do everything we can to help all of our young people. My bill, Introduction 410-A, will require the City to produce a plan to provide shelter to every youth who needs a bed. Every young person who needs shelter deserves access to youth-specific services and this plan will set the framework for getting us there. I’d like to thank Youth Services Committee Chair Debi Rose for her leadership and my colleagues who have lent their support to this legislation,” said Speaker Corey Johnson. 

Extending Time Limits for Runaway and Homeless Youth

Introduction 490-A, sponsored by Council Member Vanessa Gibson, would require that runaway and homeless youth be permitted to remain in runaway and homeless youth shelters for extended time limits, doubling the permitted time in a crisis shelter from 30 days to 60 days and extending the time in a transitional independent living facility from 18-24 months.

“By extending shelter time limits, we are giving runaway and homeless youth much needed stability and providing them with an opportunity to make the good and healthy choices that will keep them on the pathway to success. These are young people who are alone, abandoned, and often fleeing abusive situations at home. It is our fundamental responsibility to remove every barrier to young people’s success; this legislation is a common sense measure that will allow us to better serve our children,” said Council Member Vanessa Gibson.

Expanding Youth Shelter Services to Homeless Young Adults

Introduction 556-A, sponsored by Council Member Ritchie Torres, would require the Department of Youth and Community Development (DYCD) to include shelter services for homeless young adults, youth ages 21 – 24, as part of its continuum of runaway and homeless youth services.

“I’m convinced that expanding the safety net of shelter to those in greatest need from 21 to 24 years old will have a real impact in saving lives. Homelessness leaves runaway youth vulnerable to commercial sexual exploitation, contact with the criminal justice system, STDs and, worst of all, suicide. This bill, once enacted into law, will have lasting impact on runaway homeless youth across the City. I thank Speaker Johnson for his partnership and making this issue a priority in the Council,” said Council Member Ritchie Torres.

Calling on the NYS Legislature to Include Individuals in Police Custody as Being Categorically Incapable of Consenting to Sexual Conduct with a Police Officer

Resolution 177, sponsored by Council Member Mark Treyger, calls on the New York State legislature to amend Penal Law section 130.05, related to lack of consent for sexual acts, to add persons in police custody to the list of persons deemed incapable of consenting to a sexual act when it is with a police officer.

“There can be no meaningful consent given without coercion when an individual is in the custody of a law enforcement official. Our state penal code acknowledges this dynamic in circumstances involving corrections officers and prisoners and parole officers and their parolees. My resolution calls on the state to do the same for law enforcement officials. I thank Speaker Johnson and my colleagues for supporting my push to align our laws with basic common sense and human decency,” said Council Member Mark Treyger.

The City Council will also vote on the following land use item(s)…

 Interborough Rapid Transit Company Powerhouse, Manhattan

The Council will vote to landmark the Interborough Rapid Transit (IRT) Company Powerhouse, located in Council Member Helen Rosenthal’s district. The IRT opened in 1904 to power the pioneering IRT Subway and was the largest generating station constructed up to that time. The immense powerhouse represents a unique integration of 20th century engineering and classical architectural expression. This vote comes after receiving overwhelming support from the community.

Empire State Dairy Company Buildings, Brooklyn

The Council will vote to landmark Empire State Dairy Company Buildings, located in Council Member Rafael Espinal’s district. This vote comes after much input from the community.

827-831 Broadway Buildings, Manhattan

The Council will vote to landmark 827-831 Broadway Buildings, located in Council Member Carlina Rivera’s district. The decision to landmark the property received unanimous support from the community.