File #: Int 1051-2024    Version: * Name: Identification of formerly enslaved African American burial sites.
Type: Introduction Status: Committee
Committee: Committee on Cultural Affairs, Libraries and International Intergroup Relations
On agenda: 9/26/2024
Enactment date: Law number:
Title: A Local Law to amend the New York city charter, in relation to the identification of formerly enslaved African American burial sites
Sponsors: Kamillah Hanks, Mercedes Narcisse, Chi A. Ossé, Kalman Yeger , Selvena N. Brooks-Powers, Nantasha M. Williams, Lincoln Restler, Althea V. Stevens, Farah N. Louis, Amanda Farías, Shahana K. Hanif, Shekar Krishnan, Diana I. Ayala, Christopher Marte, Darlene Mealy, Jennifer Gutiérrez, Rita C. Joseph, Lynn C. Schulman, David M. Carr
Council Member Sponsors: 19
Summary: This bill would require the Department of Cultural Affairs (DCLA) to maintain a list of all known burial sites of formerly enslaved African Americans citywide. This bill would also require DCLA to develop and implement a plan to locate any currently unmarked burial sites for formerly enslaved African Americans citywide, in consultation with other city agencies, organizations and experts. This bill would also require DCLA to notify elected officials when a burial site has been located in their district. Finally, this bill would require DCLA to develop an educational campaign to inform City residents about the burial sites and develop and maintain an interactive map of the burial sites on the DCLA website.
Attachments: 1. Summary of Int. No. 1051, 2. Int. No. 1051, 3. September 26, 2024 - Stated Meeting Agenda, 4. Hearing Transcript - Stated Meeting 9-26-24

Int. No. 1051

 

By Council Members Hanks, Narcisse, Ossé, Yeger, Brooks-Powers, Williams, Restler, Stevens, Louis, Farías, Hanif, Krishnan, Ayala, Marte, Mealy, Gutiérrez, Joseph, Schulman and Carr

 

A Local Law to amend the New York city charter, in relation to the identification of formerly enslaved African American burial sites

 

Be it enacted by the Council as follows:

 

Section 1. Chapter 67 of the New York city charter is amended by adding a new section 2511 to read as follows:

§ 2511. Formerly enslaved African American burial site list. a. No later than 6 months after the effective date of the local law that added this section, the commissioner shall create and maintain a list of known formerly enslaved African American burial sites citywide. The list shall be posted on the department’s website and updated as frequently as practicable.

b. The commissioner, in consultation with the commissioners of citywide administrative services and parks and recreation, the chair of the landmarks preservation commission, and relevant organizations and experts, shall develop and implement a plan to survey and identify unmarked formerly enslaved African American burial sites.

c. Upon identification of a burial site pursuant to subdivision b of this section, the commissioner shall ensure that a historical marker is placed at or adjacent to the burial site.

d. Upon identification of a burial site pursuant to subdivision b of this section, the commissioner shall provide notice to the community board, borough president, and council member representing the geographic area where the burial site was identified.   

e. The commissioner shall develop and implement an education campaign to inform residents about the formerly enslaved African American burial sites identified pursuant to this section. 

f. The commissioner shall maintain an interactive map on the department’s website that includes regularly updated information related to the location of each formerly enslaved African American burial site identified pursuant to this section. Such map shall be searchable by address and borough.

§ 2. This local law takes effect immediately.

 

DPM

LS #16363

9/12/2024 1:05 PM