NEW YORK STATE ASSEMBLY MEMORANDUM IN SUPPORT OF LEGISLATION submitted in accordance with Assembly Rule III, Sec 1(f)
BILL NUMBER: A2300C
SPONSOR: Jean-Pierre TITLE OF BILL:
An act to amend the executive law, in relation to establishing a dedi-
cated telephone line for complainants of housing discrimination
PURPOSE OR GENERAL IDEA OF BILL:
This legislation will create a more efficient process to report poten-
tial incidents of housing discrimination
SUMMARY OF PROVISIONS:
Section 1 of the bill establishes a dedicated telephone line within the
Division of Human Rights to provide individuals with assistance for
complainants related to housing discrimination.
Section 2 is the effective date.
DIFFERENCE BETWEEN ORIGINAL AND AMENDED VERSION:
The amended version of the bill removes the requirement that the tele-
phone number to be posted by certain businesses.
JUSTIFICATION:
In November 2019, Newsday released a multiyear investigative report
documenting years of housing discrimination over several years, some
Long Island real estate license holders have been discriminating against
minority house buyers by steering potential homeowners to look at
certain communities Diversity inspires creativity, cultural sensitivity
and is an important foundation for our communities. Housing discrimi-
nation cannot be tolerated in our communities. It is dear that despite
training on the topic, housing discrimination is still occurring.This
legislation would provide individuals with a way to report housing
discrimination. Furthermore, it would require real estate licensees to
post a toll free hotline number to report discrimination in their office
of business. Such posting is important to ensure that individuals are
aware of the laws relating to housing discrimination and know what
actions to take if they were to 'witness or experience housing discrimi-
nation.
PRIOR LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:
2020: A.10122 (Jean-Pierre) - referred to Governmental Operations
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS FOR STATE AND LOCAL GOVERNMENTS:
To be determined.
EFFECTIVE DATE:
This act shall take effect on the one hundred twentieth day after it
shall have become a law. Effective immediately, the addition, amendment
and/or repeal of any rule or regulation necessary for the implementation
of this act on its effective date are authorized to be made and
completed on or before such effective date.
STATE OF NEW YORK
________________________________________________________________________
2300--C
2021-2022 Regular Sessions
IN ASSEMBLY
January 14, 2021
___________
Introduced by M. of A. JEAN-PIERRE, RAMOS, OTIS -- read once and
referred to the Committee on Governmental Operations -- committee
discharged, bill amended, ordered reprinted as amended and recommitted
to said committee -- again reported from said committee with amend-
ments, ordered reprinted as amended and recommitted to said committee
-- reported and referred to the Committee on Codes -- reported and
referred to the Committee on Ways and Means -- committee discharged,
bill amended, ordered reprinted as amended and recommitted to said
committee
AN ACT to amend the executive law, in relation to establishing a dedi-
cated telephone line for complainants of housing discrimination
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assem-bly, do enact as follows:
1 Section 1. Section 295 of the executive law is amended by adding a new
2 subdivision 17 to read as follows:
3 17. To establish a dedicated telephone line to provide assistance to
4 individuals with complaints of housing discrimination. Such assistance
5 shall include, but not be limited to, directing individuals to resources
6 available to the public regarding housing discrimination. The division
7 shall operate such dedicated telephone line during regular business
8 hours and shall post the telephone number for such dedicated phone line
9 on the website of the division. The commissioner is hereby authorized
10 and directed to promulgate rules and regulations to effectuate the
11 purposes of this subdivision.
12 § 2. This act shall take effect on the one hundred twentieth day after
13 it shall have become a law. Effective immediately, the addition, amend-
14 ment and/or repeal of any rule or regulation necessary for the implemen-
15 tation of this act on its effective date are authorized to be made and
16 completed on or before such effective date.
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[] is old law to be omitted.
LBD04930-08-1
