File #: Res 0242-2022    Version: Name: Proposing an amendment to the NYS Constitution in relation to equal protection, and calling on the Legislature to approve this amendment again next session so that it may be submitted to the voters of NYS for approval.. (S.15002/A.41002)
Type: Resolution Status: Adopted
Committee: Committee on Civil and Human Rights
On agenda: 6/16/2022
Enactment date: Law number:
Title: Resolution congratulating the State Legislature for approving S.15002/A.41002, a resolution proposing an amendment to the New York State Constitution in relation to equal protection, and calling on the Legislature to approve this amendment again next session so that it may be submitted to the voters of New York State for approval.
Sponsors: Julie Menin, Erik D. Bottcher, Shahana K. Hanif, Nantasha M. Williams, Kristin Richardson Jordan, Amanda Farías, Chi A. Ossé, Farah N. Louis, Mercedes Narcisse, Rafael Salamanca, Jr., Tiffany Cabán, Alexa Avilés, Linda Lee, Selvena N. Brooks-Powers, Adrienne E. Adams
Council Member Sponsors: 15
Attachments: 1. Res. No. 242, 2. June 16, 2022 - Stated Meeting Agenda, 3. Hearing Transcript - Stated Meeting 6-16-22, 4. Minutes of the Stated Meeting - June 16, 2022, 5. Proposed Res. No. 242-A - 6/28/22, 6. Committee Report 6/30/22, 7. Hearing Testimony 6/30/22, 8. Hearing Transcript 6/30/22, 9. Proposed Res. No. 242-B - 7/8/22, 10. Committee Report 7/13/22, 11. Hearing Transcript 7/13/22, 12. Committee Report - Stated Meeting, 13. July 14, 2022 - Stated Meeting Agenda, 14. Hearing Transcript - Stated Meeting 7-14-22, 15. Minutes of the Stated Meeting - July 14, 2022

Res. No. 242-B

 

Resolution congratulating the State Legislature for approving S.15002/A.41002, a resolution proposing an amendment to the New York State Constitution in relation to equal protection, and calling on the Legislature to approve this amendment again next session so that it may be submitted to the voters of New York State for approval.

 

By Council Members Menin, Bottcher, Hanif, Williams, Richardson Jordan, Farías, Ossé, Louis, Narcisse, Salamanca, Cabán, Avilés, Lee, Brooks-Powers and The Speaker (Council Member Adams)

 

Whereas, The New York State Constitution ("the Constitution”) does not currently include a comprehensive equal rights provision; and

                      Whereas, An amendment to the Constitution is necessary to ensure legal equality for all New Yorkers;

                     Whereas, S.51002/A.41002, sponsored by Senate Majority Leader and President Pro Tempore Andrea Stewart-Cousins and Assembly Member Rebecca Seawright, respectively, proposes an amendment (“the amendment”) to Article 1 of the Constitution; and

Whereas, In its current state, Article 1, Section 11 of the Constitution states that, “No person shall, because of race, color, creed or religion be subjected to any discrimination in his or her civil rights by any other person or by any firm, corporation or institution, or by the state or any agency or subdivision of the state”, and

Whereas, This list of protected classes is limited and does not offer comprehensive protection to all New Yorkers; and

                     Whereas, S.15002/A.41002 would amend the Constitution by adding an equal rights provision that would expand the list of protected classes to include ethnicity, national origin, age, disability, or sex, including sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, pregnancy, pregnancy outcomes, and reproductive healthcare and autonomy; and

Whereas, The Constitution was last amended to address the topic of equal rights in 1938, which predates the Civil Rights Movement, as well as major advancements toward equality, including steps towards gender and LGBTQ equality, and therefore does not address the protection of equal rights with respect to these essential rights; and

Whereas, On July 1, 2022, the amendment passed both the Senate and Assembly during a special session of the Legislature; and

Whereas, The amendment must now pass the newly elected Legislature next year before it can go before voters; now, therefore, be it

Resolved, That the Council of the City of New York congratulates the State Legislature for approving S.15002/A.41002, a resolution proposing an amendment to the New York State Constitution in relation to equal protection, and calling on the Legislature to approve this amendment again next session so that it may be submitted to the voters of New York State for approval.

WD

LS #6957/9097

7/7/2022