Lander Hails Passage Of No Harassment Certificate Passage
City Council Member Brad Lander (D-Park Slope, Windsor Terrace, Kensington) yesterday saw the city council pass his legislation that would ould create a certificate of no harassment (CONH) pilot program, which would require certain buildings to apply for a CONH before obtaining Department of Buildings (DOB) approval of permits of other construction documents for certain, covered work.
The purpose of the legislation is to curtail some unscrupulous landlords seeking to demolish or make significant alterations to their building to prove they have not engaged in harassment of tenants before they can get the permits they need from the NYC Department of Buildings (DOB).
If a landlord is found to have harassed tenants, they would not be able to pull those permits for five years – unless they make a substantial portion of their building affordable to low-income families, with no public subsidy.
This program will roll out as a pilot, primarily focused on recently rezoned or soon-to-be-rezoned NYC neighborhoods and other vulnerable neighborhoods such as Bushwick, Bed-Stuy, and Washington Heights.
“The ‘Certification of No Harassment’ (CONH) legislation will better protect tenants from the cycle of harassment. Unfortunately, for unscrupulous landlords in NYC – especially in neighborhoods where rents are rising – harassing tenants is part of the business plan. While we have taken significant steps to prevent harassment through legislation, proactive enforcement, and providing legal counsel, harassment of rent-regulated tenants remains a significant problem. The exampled CONH program will help prevent this cycle of abuse and will keep more New Yorkers in their homes,” said Lander.
Ortiz Measure Expands Crime Victims Compensation For Court Appearances
Assembly Member and Assistant Speaker Felix W. Ortiz (D-Sunset Park, Red Hook) announced yesterday that Governor Andrew Cuomo has approved his legislation (Chapter 416; A.6857/S.3338) changing the way crime victim compensation is awarded for necessary court appearances.
The new law defines the term “necessary court appearance” to include any part of a proceeding from arraignment through sentencing, pre and post trial hearings and hearings before the parole board.
“Crime victims will now be able to attend court hearings without the fear that their time in court and travel expenses won’t be considered when compensated for their efforts. Our judicial system depends on the full participation of crime victims appearing in court. The success of the judicial system is directly impacted by crime victims fully engaged. Their costs will now be factored into how much they can be compensated for their time” said Ortiz.
Savino Eases Process For Medical Marijuana Patients
State Sen. Diane Savino (D–Coney Island, Sunset Park, Staten Island) yesterday celebrated the signage of legislation that will make it easier for medical marijuana patients to find a provider with the improvement of the searchable database on the Department of Health’s website with the provider’s name and contact information.
“This is another important step that we’ve taken this year to improve the state’s medical marijuana program. It is unacceptable for patients to be forced to spend their days trying to find a doctor who will prescribe them their medication. I thank Gov. Cuomo for signing this legislation into law,” said Savino.
Many severely ill medical marijuana patients currently struggle to find a registered practitioner and are left either cold-calling doctors or relying on social media and other unreliable sources.
There are currently 1,349 practitioners participating in the state’s medical marijuana program, however only about a third are currently listed on the Department of Health’s voluntary public list. The new program will allow providers to opt-out by notifying the DOH in writing.
The legislation, which Assembly Member Crystal Peoples-Stokes sponsored on the assembly side, will become effective in 60 days.
Harris’ Bill Combatting Illegal Conversions Signed Into Law
Assemblymember Pamela Harris (D-Coney Island, Bay Ridge, Dyker Heights) yesterday announced that legislation she introduced in the Assembly cracking down on landlords who illegally convert their apartments and pose safety risks to tenants has been signed into law.
The new law will require landlords to disclose to tenants that a certificate of occupancy is current and valid for the property being rented, thus reducing the incidence of illegal conversions by .
Illegally converted homes have posed a major risk to many in the community. Last year, a two-family home in Dyker Heights had to be vacated because the apartments were converted to house 31 people, including 13 children.
These apartments also pose a threat to firefighters who respond to calls in these illegally converted homes. In 2005, two firefighters lost their lives battling a fire in an apartment that was sectioned off to house more tenants than the apartment could handle.
“Some landlords have engaged in illicit practices that put families in an unsafe environment, all in the name of making more money,” said Harris. “Our families deserve to live safely and comfortably. Many times, tenants don’t even know that their apartment is not up to code. I’m proud that this bipartisan legislation has been signed into law so fewer families are forced to live in unsafe apartments.”
Donovan Deplores Lack Of Conviction In Steinle Murder
U.S. Rep. Dan Donovan (R-Southern Brooklyn, Staten Island) yesterday expressed outrage that a jury in San Francisco failed to convict Jose Ines Garcia Zarate, a homeless undocumented Mexican immigrant of murder in the death of 32-year-old Kate Steinle.
Then presidential candidate, Donald Trump, used the case two years ago as a flash point in the national debate on illegal immigration. San Francisco, like New York City, is a “sanctuary city,” which is a city that limits its cooperation with the national government effort to enforce immigration law.
Zarate was convicted of illegal possession of a firearm and will be deported for the seventh time.
“It’s sickening that Kate Steinle’s killer will get away with murder. My heart goes out to the Steinle family as their grief is compounded by this jury’s shocking decision. Hopefully, new legislation like Kate’s Law, which I voted to pass, as well as additional funding for border security will prevent tragedies like this from happening again. If sanctuary cities like San Francisco didn’t pick and choose which laws to follow, Kate Steinle might still be with us today,” said Donovan.
