Int. No. 1868
By Council Members Ayala, Cabrera, Lander, Gjonaj and Chin
A Local Law to amend the New York city charter, in relation to establishing an office of Puerto Rico-New York City affairs
Be it enacted by the Council as follows:
Section 1. Chapter one of the New York city charter is amended by adding a new section 20-h to read as follows:
§ 20-h. Office of Puerto Rico-New York City affairs. a. The mayor shall establish an office of Puerto Rico-New York City affairs, which may be known as PRNYC. Such office may be established within any office of the mayor or within any department the head of which is appointed by the mayor. The office shall be headed by a director of Puerto Rico-New York City affairs, who shall be appointed by the mayor.
b. The director of Puerto Rico-New York City affairs shall have the power and the duty to provide services to former residents of Puerto Rico and descendants of residents of Puerto Rico. Such services shall include:
1. Addressing the needs of persons displaced from Puerto Rico;
2. Assistance in completing applications to obtain vital documents from Puerto Rico, including birth, marriage and death certificates;
3. Assistance in understanding and completing applications for governmental programs that may be available to offer assistance to such individuals;
4. Referrals to non-governmental organizations that may be able to offer additional assistance; and
5. Any other services the director deems necessary to provide.
c. The director of Puerto Rico-New York City affairs shall make reasonable efforts to work with the government of Puerto Rico to provide the services required pursuant to subdivision b.
§ 2. This local law takes effect 120 days after it becomes law.
NAB
LS #12453
12/4/19