The Office of the Public Advocate tackles a number of the most pressing issues for New Yorkers through legislation. Public Advocate Williams passed more legislation than all previous Public Advocates in their first hundred days combined. The Office will continue working to make the office the strongest voice possible for New Yorkers.
Legislation
Spotlight
How Many Stops Act
Local Law to amend the administrative code of the city of New York, in relation to requiring the police department to report on police-civilian investigative encounters. Hearing held by the Public Safety Committee on March 27, 2023. Passed by the NYC Council on December 20, 2023. Vetoed by the Mayor on January 19, 2024. The NYC Council overrode the veto, and it was enacted into law on January 30, 2024. Effective immediately with first report due within 30 days of September 30, 2024.
Local Law 42 of 2024
A Local Law to amend the administrative code of the city of New York, in relation to banning solitary confinement in city jails and establishing standards for the use of restrictive housing and emergency lock-ins. Hearing held by the Criminal Justice Committee on September 28, 2022. Passed by the NYC Council on December 20, 2023. Vetoed by the Mayor on January 19, 2024. The NYC Council overrode the veto, and it was enacted into law on January 30, 2024. Effective date: July 28, 2024.
In Progress
Proposed Local Law to amend the administrative code of the city of New York, in relation to increasing the number of violations required to revoke authorization to operate a commuter van service.
Laid over in the Transportation & Infrastructure Committee after a hearing was held on September 27, 2024.
Proposed Local Law to amend the administrative code of the city of New York, in relation to the provision of sufficient receptacles for the storage of solid waste.
Laid over in the Sanitation & Solid Waste Management Committee after a hearing was held on November 20, 2024.
Proposed Local Law to amend the administrative code of the city of New York, in relation to developing a college admissions counseling program.
Laid over in the Children & Youth Committee after a hearing was held on October 30, 2024.
Proposed Local Law to amend the administrative code of the city of New York, in relation to requiring the 311 Customer Service Center to accept requests for service and complaints using video call functionality.
Laid over in the Technology Committee after a hearing was held on April 25, 2024.
Proposed Local Law to amend the administrative code of the city of New York, in relation to 311 transmitting image and video data for housing service requests or complaints.
Laid over in the Technology Committee after a hearing was held on April 25, 2024.
Proposed Local Law to amend the administrative code of the city of New York, in relation to prohibiting discrimination in the issuance of credit and requiring creditors to disclose to potential borrowers how their rate is calculated.
Laid over in the Civil & Human Rights Committee after a hearing was held on February 29, 2024.
Proposed Local Law to amend the administrative code of the city of New York, in relation to requiring the department of education to provide information requiring school compliance with the Americans with disabilities act.
Laid over in the Education Committee after a hearing was held on June 18, 2024.
Proposed Resolution calling on the New York State Legislature to pass, and the Governor to sign, S.3103-B/A.6058-A, to require mental health services for incarcerated individuals with mental health issues related to the trauma of incarceration.
Laid over in the Public Safety Committee after a hearing was held on May 16, 2024.
Proposed Resolution calling on the New York State Legislature to pass, and the Governor to sign, S.206-A/A.1432-A, which would remove the lifetime ban on jury duty for convicted felons and postpone jury service for any person currently incarcerated for a felony.
Laid over in the Public Safety Committee after a hearing was held on May 16, 2024.
Proposed Resolution calling on the New York State Legislature to pass, and the New York State Governor to sign, S.1828 /A.3103, which would eliminate the subminimum wage for employees based on their disability or age.
Laid over in the Civil Service & Labor Committee on January 27, 2025.
Passed
Local Law 95 of 2024
A Local Law to amend the administrative code of the City of New York, in relation to requiring the installation and maintenance of an informational sign at the intersection of Wall and Pearl Streets in Manhattan to mark the site of New York's first slave market. Hearing held by the Civil & Human Rights Committee on June 27, 2024. Passed by NYC Council on September 12, 2024. Enacted into law on October 15, 2024. Effective immediately.
How Many Stops Act
Local Law to amend the administrative code of the city of New York, in relation to requiring the police department to report on police-civilian investigative encounters. Hearing held by the Public Safety Committee on March 27, 2023. Passed by the NYC Council on December 20, 2023. Vetoed by the Mayor on January 19, 2024. The NYC Council overrode the veto, and it was enacted into law on January 30, 2024. Effective immediately with first report due within 30 days of September 30, 2024.
Local Law 42 of 2024
A Local Law to amend the administrative code of the city of New York, in relation to banning solitary confinement in city jails and establishing standards for the use of restrictive housing and emergency lock-ins. Hearing held by the Criminal Justice Committee on September 28, 2022. Passed by the NYC Council on December 20, 2023. Vetoed by the Mayor on January 19, 2024. The NYC Council overrode the veto, and it was enacted into law on January 30, 2024. Effective date: July 28, 2024.
Local Law 40 of 2024
A Local Law to amend the administrative code of the city of New York, in relation to an online resource tool and pamphlet for veterans. Hearing held by the Veterans Committee on November 30, 2023. Passed by the NYC Council on December 20, 2023, and enacted into law on January 20, 2024. Effective date: July 15, 2024.
Local Law 26 of 2024
A Local Law to amend the administrative code of the city of New York, in relation to requiring the police department to report on the justification for the stop in vehicle encounter reports. Hearing held by the Public Safety Committee on March 27, 2023. Passed by the NYC Council on December 20, 2023, and enacted into law on January 20, 2024. Effective date: August 1, 2024.
Local Law 23 of 2024
A Local Law to amend the administrative code of the city of New York, in relation to providing the body-worn camera footage of the police department to the department of investigation. Hearing held by the Public Safety Committee on March 27, 2023. Passed by the NYC Council on December 20, 2023, and enacted into law on January 20, 2024. Effective date: August 1, 2024.
Local Law 138 of 2023
A Local Law to amend the administrative code of the city of New York, in relation to dyslexia screening in city jails and referrals to evidence-based programs. Hearing held by the Criminal Justice Committee on June 28, 2023. Passed by the NYC Council on September 28, 2023, and enacted into law on October 18, 2023. Effective immediately with first report due on December 31, 2024.
Local Law 126 of 2023
A Local Law to amend the administrative code of the city of New York, in relation to elimination of permits and/or filing fees for green building projects undertaken on one to three family homes. Hearing held by the Housing & Buildings Committee on May 3, 2023. Passed by the NYC Council on August 3, 2023, and enacted into law on September 5, 2023. Effective date: March 4, 2024.
Local Law 115 of 2023
A Local Law to amend the administrative code of the city of New York, in relation to reporting on gender identity of persons in the custody of the department of correction. Hearing held by the Criminal Justice Committee on January 25, 2023. Passed by the NYC Council on July 13, 2023, and enacted into law on August 13, 2023. Effective Date: September 1, 2023.
Int. No. 583 of 2022
A Local Law to amend the administrative code of the City of New York, in relation to increasing penalties for violations issued by the Department of Housing Preservation and Development and certifying correction of violations in multiple dwellings and posting of a Landlord Watchlist on a NYC agency website. Hearing held by the Housing & Buildings Committee on May 10, 2023. Passed by the NYC Council on May 11, 2023, and enacted on June 13, 2023. Effective date: December 11, 2023.
Pedestrian Safety Bill
A Local Law to amend the administrative code of the City of New York, in relation to pedestrian safety reporting. Hearing held by the Transportation & Infrastructure Committee on February 14, 2023. Passed by the NYC Council on April 27, 2023, and enacted into law on May 30, 2023. Effective immediately with first report due on April 30, 2022.
Homeless Bill of Rights
A Local Law to amend the administrative code of the City of New York, in relation to the creation and distribution of a statement of rights for persons experiencing homelessness and residing in a shelter. Hearing held by the General Welfare Committee on September 13, 2022. Passed by the NYC Council on April 27, 2023, and enacted into law on May 30, 2023. Effective date no later than August 26, 2023.
Int. No. 86 of 2022
A Local Law to amend the administrative code of the City of New York, in relation to education about city standards for respectful care at birth, health care proxy forms and patients’ rights. Hearing held by the Health Committee on June 29, 2022. Passed by the NYC Council on August 10, 2022, and enacted into law on September 6, 2022. Effective date: September 6, 2022.
Racial Equity Impact Study and Report
A Local Law to amend the administrative code of the city of New York, in relation to requiring a citywide equitable development data tool and racial equity reports on housing and opportunity for Land Use Matters. Hearing held by the Land Use Committee on June 16, 2021. Passed by the NYC Council on June 17, 2021, and enacted into law on July 19, 2021. Effective immediately.
Int. No. 2058 of 2020
A Local Law of in relation to requiring the department of education to report on remote learning attendance. Hearing held by the Education Committee on October 16, 2020. Passed by the NYC Council December 17, 2020, and enacted into law on January 19, 2021. Effective immediately and deemed repealed two years after it becomes law.
Int. No. 1314 of 2018
A Local Law to amend the administrative code of the city of New York, in relation to prohibiting discrimination based on one's arrest record, pending criminal accusations or criminal convictions. Hearing held by the Civil & Human Rights Committee. Passed by the NYC Council on December 10, 2020, and enacted on January 11, 2021. Effective date: August 9, 2021.
Int. No. 2059 of 2020
A Local Law to amend the administrative code of the city of New York, in relation to the definition of site safety training full compliance dates. Hearing held by the Housing & Buildings Committee on August 18, 2020. Passed by the NYC Council on August 27, 2020, and enacted on September 28, 2020. Effective date: September 1, 2020.
Int. No. 721 of 2018
A Local Law to amend the administrative code of the city of New York, in relation to the right to record police activities. Hearing held by the Public Safety Committee on June 9, 2020. Passed by the NYC Council on June 18, 2020, and enacted into law on July 15, 2020. Effective date: August 14, 2020.
Int. No. 1974 of 2020
A Local Law to authorize adoption by resolution of an interest rate for nonpayment of taxes on real property with an assessed value of two hundred and fifty thousand dollars or less in fiscal year 2021 for property owners adversely affected by COVID-19. Hearing held by the Finance Committee on June 10, 2020. Passed by the NYC Council on June 25, 2020, and enacted into law on July 7, 2020. Effective date: June 25, 2020.
Int. No. 596 of 2018
A Local Law to amend the administrative code of the city of New York, in relation to increasing the fine for the use of unauthorized or fraudulent parking permits. Hearing held by the Transportation Committee on June 12, 2018. Passed by the NYC Council on November 26, 2019, and enacted into law on January 2, 2020. Effective date: February 1, 2020.
Int. No. 1550 of 2019
A Local Law to amend the administrative code of the city of New York, in relation to the establishment of a school diversity advisory group. Hearing held by the Education Committee on May 1, 2019. Passed by the NYC Council on November 14, 2019, and enacted into law on December 16, 2019. Effective Date: June 1, 2020.
Int. No. 720 of 2018
A Local Law to amend the administrative code of the city of New York and the New York city building code, in relation to clarifying the requirements for site safety training providers and persons required to obtain site safety training. Hearing held by the Housing & Buildings Committee on March 6, 2018. Passed by the NYC Council on November 14, 2019, and enacted into law on December 16, 2019. Effective immediately with Sections 1 and 2 retroactive to 2017.
Int. No. 716 of 2018
A Local Law to amend the administrative code of the city of New York, in relation to a report on the waiting lists of Mitchell-Lama housing developments. Hearing held by the Housing & Buildings Committee on January 19, 2019. Passed by the NYC Council on November 14, 2019, and enacted on December 16, 2019. Effective immediately.
Int. No. 1389 of 2019
A Local Law that amends the administrative code of the city of New York, in relation to requiring the department of social services/human resources administration to report on termination of public assistance. Hearing held by the General Welfare Committee on February 4, 2019. Passed by the NYC Council on August 14, 2019, and enacted on September 16, 2019. Effective immediately.
Int. No. 799 of 2018
A Local Law to amend the administrative code of the city of New York, in relation to prohibiting retaliation against individuals who request a reasonable accommodation under the city's human rights law. Hearing held by the Civil & Human Rights Committee on June 18, 2018. Passed by the NYC Council on June 13, 2019, and enacted on July 18, 2019. Effective date: October 12, 2019.
Int. No. 1533 of 2019
A Local Law to amend the New York city building code, in relation to the definition of site safety training full compliance date and site safety training second compliance date. Hearing held by the Housing & Buildings Committee on April 11, 2019. Passed by the NYC Council on May 8, 2019, and enacted into law on June 11, 2019. Effective immediately.
Int. No. 1445 of 2019
A Local Law to amend the administrative code of the city of New York, in relation to prohibition of drug testing for pre-employment hiring procedures. Hearing held by the Civil & human Rights Committee on February 27, 2019. Passed by the NYC Council on April 9, 2019, and enacted into law on May 9, 2019. Effective date: May 9, 2020.
Resolution calling on the New York State Legislature to pass, and the Governor to sign, A.4021/S.568A, in relation to establishing a housing access voucher program.
Hearing held by the Housing & Buildings Committee on February 23, 2023. Adopted by the NYC Council on April 11, 20223
Resolution calling on the United States Senate to pass and the President to sign the Women’s Health Protection Act.
Hearing held by the Women & Gender Equity Committee on July 1, 2022. Adopted by the NYC Council on July 14, 2022.
Resolution calling on the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to provide expanded funding for the Healthy Start Brooklyn doula program known as “By My Side” in order to make doulas available to all low-income birthing people in New York City.
Hearing held by the Health Committee on June 29th, 2022. Adopted by the NYC Council on August 11, 2022.
Resolution calling on the United States Congress to pass and President Joseph Biden to sign the Black Maternal Health Momnibus Act of 2021.
Hearing held by the Health Committee on June 29, 2022. Adopted by the NYC Council on August 11, 2022.
Resolution approving the appointment by the Public Advocate Jumaane D. Williams of Ifeoma Ike as a member of the New York City Conflicts of Interest Board.
Hearing held by the Rules, Privileges and Elections Committee on February 10, 2022. Adopted by the NYC Council on March 10, 2022.
A resolution calling on Congress to pass, and the President to sign, legislation that allows service members, veterans and eligible surviving spouses to use the United States Department of Veteran Affairs home loans to purchase cooperative apartments.
Hearing held by the Veterans Committee on April 4, 2022. Adopted by the NYC Council May 5, 2022.
Resolution approving the appointment by the Public Advocate Jumaane D. Williams of Leah Goodridge as a member of the New York City Planning Commission.
Hearing held on November 10, 2021. Adopted by the NYC Council on December 9, 2021.
Resolution calling on the coordination of the New York State Division of Criminal Justice Services (DCJS), the New York State Office of Court Administration, and New York City District Attorneys to expunge the records of all city misdemeanor marijuana convictions.
Hearing held by the Criminal System Committee on February 27, 2019. Adopted by the NYC Council on March 28, 2019.
A resolution calling on the New York City Housing Authority (NYCHA) to add unlawful possession of marijuana and criminal possession of marijuana in the fourth and fifth degrees to its list of "overlooked offenses," and stop considering these offenses as grounds for termination of tenancy
Hearing held by the Public Safety Committee on February 27, 2019. Adopted by the NYC Council on March 28, 2019.