Proposed Int. No. 27-A
By Council Members Reed, Davis, Gerson, Jackson, Koppell, Liu, Perkins, Reyna, Sears and Brewer; also Council Member Lopez
A Local Law to amend the administrative code of the city of New York in relation to eliminating all gender biased terminology in all documents, materials and laws generated by the city of New York.
Be it enacted by the Council as follows:
Section 1. Chapter 1 of title 1 of the administrative code of the city of New York is hereby amended by adding a new section 1-113 to read as follows:
§1-113. Gender neutral language. a. Except as otherwise provided in this section, all laws, documents and materials generated by the city shall be drafted in a gender-neutral manner and shall not include gender-biased terminology; including, but not limited to, the term “councilman” and “councilmanic.” To the extent consistent with the meaning of this law, masculine pronouns may be used together with feminine pronouns in reference to elected officials, commissioners and similar persons.
b. Notwithstanding the provisions of subdivision a of this section, no law, document, or other material of the city shall be invalidated due to the inclusion of gender-biased terminology.
c. Notwithstanding the provisions of subdivision a of this section, no agency of the city shall be required to dispose of any materials that were produced prior to the enactment of this section and which may include gender-biased terminology.
d. The provisions of subdivision a of this section shall in no way interfere with the ability of any agency of the city to collect gender-specific information, to the extent permitted by law, as necessary to carry out their responsibilities; including, but not limited to, maintaining personnel files, generating medical records, or creating police records.
e. The provisions of subdivision a of this section shall not apply to any law, document, or material that addresses a gender-specific matter; including, but not limited to, pregnancy or maternal health.
§2. This local law shall take effect 60 days after it is enacted.