Int. No. 227-A

By Council Members Perkins, Felder and Baez (by request of the Mayor); also Council Member Stewart

A Local Law to amend the New York City charter and the administrative code of the city of New York, in relation to changing the name of the department of public health to the department of health and mental hygiene.

Be it enacted by the Council as follows:

                     Section 1.  Subparagraph i of paragraph 2 of subdivision d of section 15 of the New York city charter,  as amended by  vote of the electors on November 6, 2001, is amended to read as follows:

                     2. There shall be  mental  retardation  and  developmental  disability coordination  within  the  office of operations. In performing functions relating to  such  coordination,  the  office  of  operations  shall  be authorized  to:  develop methods to: (i) improve the coordination within and among city agencies that provide  services  to  people  with  mental retardation  or developmental disabilities, including but not limited to the department of  [public]  health and mental hygiene,  the  administration  for  children's services,  the  human  resources administration, department of youth and community development, the  department  of  juvenile  justice,  and  the department  of  employment,  or the successors to such agencies, and the health and hospitals corporation and the board of  education;  and  (ii) facilitate  coordination  between  such  agencies  and  non-governmental entities  providing  services  to  people  with  mental  retardation  or developmental  disabilities;  review  state  and  federal  programs  and legislative proposals that may affect people with mental retardation  or developmental  disabilities  and  provide  information and advice to the mayor regarding the impact of such programs  or  legislation;  recommend legislative proposals or other initiatives that will benefit people with mental retardation or developmental disabilities; and perform such other duties  and  functions  as  the  mayor may request to assist people with mental  retardation  or  developmental  disabilities  and  their  family members.

                     §2.   The chapter heading of chapter 22 of the New York city charter, as   amended by  vote of the electors on November 6, 2001, is  amended to read as follows:

CHAPTER 22

[DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC HEALTH ]

DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND MENTAL HYGIENE

                     § 3.                     Subdivision a of section 551 of the New York city charter, as amended by vote of the electors on November 6, 2001, is amended to read as follows:

                     a. There shall be a department of  [public] health and mental hygiene, the head of which shall be  the  commissioner of  [public] health and mental hygiene who  shall  be appointed by the mayor. The department shall have and exercise all powers of a local health department set forth  in  law. Notwithstanding any other provision of this charter to the contrary, the  department  shall  be  a  social  services  district for purposes of the  administration of  health-related  public  assistance  programs  to  the  extent  agreed upon by the department, the department of social services and  the  department  of  homeless  services.  Appropriations   to   the  department for mental health, mental retardation and alcoholism services  shall  be set forth in the expense budget in separate and distinct units  of appropriation. In determining the annual amount of city funds  to  be  appropriated  by  the  city  for  mental  health, mental retardation and  alcoholism services, the following provision shall apply: in  the  event that  the  executive  budget  proposes a decrease in city funds measured  against  the  budget  for  the  current  fiscal  year,  as  modified  in accordance   with   section   one   hundred  seven,  for  the  units  of  appropriation for  mental  health,  mental  retardation  and  alcoholism  services,  the  executive  budget shall not propose a greater percentage  decrease in city funds measured  against  the  budget  for  the  current  fiscal  year,  as modified in accordance with section one hundred seven,   for the units of appropriation for mental health, mental retardation and  alcoholism  services  than  has  been  proposed   for   the   units   of  appropriation  for  public  health  services. If, however, in his or her  discretion, the mayor determines that it is in the city's best  interest  to  submit an executive budget at variance with the requirements of this  provision, the mayor shall include an explanation of the basis for  this  variation as part of the budget message.

                     §  4.  Subdivision  d of section 558 of the New York city charter,  as amended by vote of the electors on November 6, 2001, is amended to read as follows:

                     (d).  The board of health shall prescribe in the health  code  that  the parent  with  legal custody or legal guardian of any child receiving day care services as authorized in such code shall  have  unlimited  and  on demand  access  to  such  child or ward. The department of [public] health and mental hygiene shall make unannounced visits of such day care services  if  such  board receives a complaint that, if true, would indicate that children in such services  are  not  receiving  adequate  or appropriate care. Such board shall also prescribe in such code that during the period for  which  day care  services  are  authorized  upon any premises, the department shall whenever possible make at least one  unannounced  visit  of  every  such premises annually.

                     § 5.                     Section 564 of the New York city charter, as amended by the vote of the electors on November 6, 2001, is amended to read as follows:

                     § 564. The department may sue and be sued in and by the proper name of "Department of [Public] Health and Mental Hygiene of the City of New  York,"  and service of all process in suits and proceedings against or affecting the department, or other  papers,  may  be  made  upon  the commissioner  or  official  designated by him, and not otherwise; except that, according to usual practice in other suits,  papers  in  suits  to which the department is a party may be served on the corporation counsel or such assistant as may be assigned by him to the department.

                     § 6.                       Subdivision a of section 1057-a of the New York city charter, as amended by vote of the electors on November 6, 2001, is amended to read as follows:

                      a. Agency based voter registration. Each agency designated as a participating   agency  under  the  provisions  of  this  section  shall implement and administer a program of distribution of voter registration forms pursuant to the provisions of this section. The following offices are hereby designated as participating voter registration agencies: The administration for children's services, the  city  clerk,  the  civilian complaint  review  board,  the  commission  on  human  rights, community boards, the department of business services, the department of  citywide administrative   services,  the  department  of  consumer  affairs,  the department of correction, the department of employment,  the  department of  environmental  protection, the department of finance, the department of [public] health and mental hygiene, the department of homeless services, the department of housing preservation  and  development,  the  department  of  parks  and recreation,   the  department  of  probation,  the  taxi  and  limousine commission, the department of transportation and the department of youth and  community  development.  Participating  agencies  shall  include  a mandate  in  all  new  or  renewed  agreements with those subcontractors having regular contact with the public in the  daily  administration  of their   business   to  follow  the  guidelines  of  this  section.  Such participating agencies shall be required  to  offer  voter  registration forms  to  all  persons together with written applications for services, renewal or recertification for services and change of  address  relating to  such services; provided however that this section shall not apply to services that must be provided to prevent actual or potential danger  to the  life,  health,  or  safety of any individual or of the public. Such agencies may  provide  assistance  to  applicants  in  completing  voter registration  forms,  if  so requested. Such agencies may also, in their discretion, receive and transmit the completed application form from any applicants who wish to have  such  form  transmitted  to  the  board  of elections for the city of New York.  

                     § 7.                     Subdivisions a and e of section 1069 of the New York city charter, as amended by the local law number 1  of the year 2002, are amended to read as follows:

                     a. Pursuant to  the  provisions  of  this  section,  each  agency  designated  as  a participating  agency  under  the  provisions  of  this  section   shall implement  and administer a program of distribution of the public health insurance program options pamphlet published by the department of [public] health and mental hygiene pursuant to section 17-183 of the administrative code of the city of  New  York.  The  following  offices   are   hereby   designated   as participating  agencies: the administration for children's services, the board of education, the city clerk, the commission on human rights,  the department  for  the aging, the department of correction, the department of employment, the department of homeless services,  the  department  of housing   preservation  and  development,  the  department  of  juvenile justice, the department of [public] health and mental hygiene, the department  of  probation, the  department  of  social services/human resources administration, the taxi and limousine commission, the department  of  youth  and  community development,  the  office to combat domestic violence, and the office of immigrant affairs; provided, however,  that  the  department  of  [public] health and mental hygiene, as it deems appropriate, may designate additional agencies to be participating agencies.

                      e. Each participating agency may establish  procedures  as  they  deem necessary  to  implement  the  local  law  that  added this section. The commissioner or head of a participating agency, with the concurrence  of the  commissioner  of  the  department  of  [public] health and mental hygiene, may exclude a program in whole or in part from the requirements of this  section  upon determining that the inclusion of such a program would not substantially further  the  purpose  of  the  local  law  that added this section. The commissioner or head  of  each  participating  agency  that  administers programs  receiving funds under the workforce investment act of 1998, as codified at 29 U.S.C. § 2801 et seq., shall, with the concurrence of the commissioner  of  the  department  of  [public]  health and mental hygiene,  determine  which workforce   investment   act  offices  providing  workforce  development services, including core and intensive services or substantive  training funded  in  whole or in part by the city's share of funds provided under such  workforce  investment  act,  shall  be  required  to  fulfill  the obligations of  participating   agencies  under  this  section;  such determination shall be based upon whether the inclusion of such offices would substantially further the purpose of the local law that added this section.  A copy of each determination made pursuant to this subdivision shall be forwarded to the council and the mayor within  thirty  days  of such determination.

                     § 8.   Paragraphs 1 and 3 of subdivision b of section 1403 of the New York city charter,  as amended by vote of the electors on November 6, 2001, are amended  to read as follows:

                        (1)  The commissioner shall have charge and control over the location, construction, alteration,  repair,  maintenance  and  operation  of  all sewers  including intercepting sewers and sewage disposal plants, and of all matters in the  several  boroughs  relating  to  public  sewers  and drainage,  and  shall initiate and make all plans for drainage and shall have charge of all public and private sewers  in  accordance  with  such plans;  and shall have charge of the management, care and maintenance of sewer and drainage systems therein. In addition, the commissioner  shall have the authority to supervise and adopt rules regarding private sewage disposal  systems, other than community private sewage disposal systems, and to prescribe civil penalties for the violation of such rules  of  no more  than  ten thousand dollars per violation, and, except as otherwise provided in section six hundred forty-three of this  charter,  to  issue permits  pursuant  to such rules for the construction and maintenance of such private sewage disposal systems.  With regard to community  private sewage  disposal  systems,  the commissioner shall have the authority to perform inspections, and to issue notices of violation for violations of any provisions of the New York city  health  code  relating  to  private sewage disposal, which shall be served and returnable as provided by law for  violations  of  the  New  York  city  health code, and the power to perform such other duties with regard to the supervision and  regulation of  such systems as may be lawfully delegated to him or her by the board of health or department of [public] health and mental hygiene.                        

                     (3)  Nothing  in  this  subdivision  shall  be  construed to limit the authority or powers of the commissioner of [public] health and mental hygiene, the department of [public] health and mental hygiene, or the board of health relating to the declaration  or abatement  of  nuisances, or the enforcement of applicable public health laws or rules.  

                     § 9.  Subparagraphs a and e of paragraph 15 of subdivision a of section 2903 of the New York city charter, as amended by vote of the electors on November 6, 2001, are amended to read as follows:

                     (a)  The  commissioner  shall  issue  a special vehicle identification parking permit to a New York city resident who requires  the  use  of  a private automobile for transportation and to a non-resident who requires the  use of a private automobile for transportation to a school in which such applicant is enrolled or to a place of employment, when such person has been certified by the department of  [public]  health and mental hygiene or  a  provider designated  by  the  department  or the department of [public] health and mental hygiene, who shall  make  such  certification  in  accordance  with   standards   and guidelines  prescribed  by  the  department  or the department of [public] health and mental hygiene, as having a permanent disability seriously impairing mobility. A permit shall be issued to such person upon his  or  her  application.  A permit shall also be issued to such person upon application made on such person's behalf by a parent, spouse, domestic partner, guardian or other individual  having  legal  responsibility for the administration of such person's day to day affairs. Any vehicle displaying such permit shall be used exclusively in connection with  parking  a  vehicle  in  which  the person  to  whom  it  has  been  issued  is being transported or will be transported within a reasonable period of time. Such permit shall not be transferable and shall be revoked if used on behalf on any other person. Any abuse by any person to whom such  permit  has  been  issued  of  any privilege,  benefit  or  consideration  granted pursuant to such permit, shall be sufficient cause for revocation of said permit.  

                     (e) Certifications by the department of [public] health and mental hygiene  of  applications for  special  vehicle  identification  permits  shall  be  made at those district health offices designated for such purpose by the  commissioner of  [public]  health and mental hygiene.  At  least  one such district health office shall be designated in each borough for  special  vehicle  identification  permit certifications. Such certifications shall be available by appointment at each  of  said borough health offices, or an alternative location within the borough as designated  by  the  commissioner  by  regulation,  on  a regular basis.  

                     §  10.                     Paragraph 1 of subdivision a of section 3-111 of the administrative code of the city of New York,  as added by local law 58 of the year 1986,  is amended to read as follows:

                      (1)  The mayor shall appoint a drug enforcement and drug abuse task force which shall be chaired by the criminal justice coordinator and shall consist of, but not be limited to, representatives  of the  police  department;  human  resources  administration; department of health and mental hygiene; department of correction; department of housing preservation and development; department of finance; department  of  probation;  and  the criminal  justice  coordinator.

                     §  11.  Section 5-303 of the administrative code of the city of New York is amended to read as follows: 

                     5-303  Special  provisions  in  proceedings for drainage of land by means other than sewers. In proceedings  for  the  acquisition  of  real property  for  the drainage of land by means other than sewers, pursuant to an order of the department of health and mental hygiene,  the  time  or  times  for  the giving  or  publication of notices shall be one-half of that required in this subchapter for  other  proceedings,  provided  that  any  resultant one-half day shall be deemed a whole day. The time for the supreme court to  hear  objections  to  the  tentative  decree  in  any  such drainage proceeding shall be two days.

                     §  12.                     Subdivision 7 of section  11-2025 of the administrative code of the city of New York is amended to read as follows:

                     7.  To publish and maintain, as it deems necessary, lists  of  specific items  of  tangible  personal  property  which are found to be foods and drugs exempt from tax under paragraphs one and three of section  11-2006 of  this  subchapter.  Assistance  and cooperation in the formulation of such lists shall be provided by the department of health and mental hygiene upon request by the tax commission;

                     §  13.   Paragraph 2 of subdivision a of section 13-617 of the administrative code of the city of New York is amended to read as follows:  

                       a.  Except  as  provided  in subdivision c of this section, all moneys collected from fines and penalties for violations of the health code  or health laws in the city, including fines for violations of orders issued pursuant  to  sections 17-104, 17-107, 17-108 and 17-165 of the code and all moneys received from the issuance or  granting  of  permits  by  the board  of  health of the department of health and mental hygiene and by the commissioner of health and mental hygiene pursuant to the health code.

                     §   14.   Subdivisions  a, b, c, and d of section 14-119 of the administrative code of the city of New York  are amended to read as follows: 

                     a.  Department  to  cooperate  with department of health and mental hygiene.

                     a. It shall be the duty of the department, and of its officers and members  of the  force,  as  the  commissioner  shall direct, to promptly advise the department of health and mental hygiene of all threatened danger to human life and  health, and  of  all  matters  thought to demand its attention, and to regularly report to the department of health and mental hygiene  all  violations  of  its  rules  and ordinances, and of the health laws, and all useful sanitary information.  

                     b.  It  shall be the duty of the department, by and through its proper officers, members and agents, to  faithfully  and  at  the  proper  time enforce  and  execute the sanitary rules and regulations, and the orders of the  department  of  health and mental hygiene,  made  pursuant  to  the  power  of  the department  of  health and mental hygiene, upon the same being received in writing and duly authenticated.

                     c. In and about the execution  of  any  order  of  the  department  of health and mental hygiene, or of the department made pursuant thereto, members of the force shall  have  power  and  authority  as  when obeying any order of or law applicable to the department;  but  for  their  conduct  they  shall  be responsible  to  the department and not to the department of health and mental hygiene. The department of health  and mental hygiene may, with the consent of the department, impose any portion  of  the  duties  of  subordinates  in  such   department   upon subordinates in the department.

                     d.  The  department  is  authorized  to employ and use the appropriate persons and means, and  to  make  the  necessary  expenditures  for  the execution  and  enforcement  of the rules, orders and regulations of the department of health and mental hygiene, and such expenditures, so far as the same may  not be refunded or compensated by the means herein elsewhere provided, shall be paid as the other expenses of the department of health and mental hygiene are paid.

                     §    15.  Section 14-120 of the administrative code of the city of New York is amended to read as follows:

                     14-120. The commissioner, upon the requisition of the department  of  health and mental hygiene,  shall detail suitable officers to the service of such department of health and mental hygiene for the purpose of the enforcement of the provisions of the health code, and of  the  acts relating to multiple dwellings. Such officers shall belong to the sanitary company of police, and shall report to the department of health and mental hygiene. The department of health  and mental hygiene may report back to the  department  for punishment  any  member of such company guilty of any breach of order or discipline or of neglecting his or her duty. Thereupon the  commissioner shall detail another officer in his or her place. The discipline of such members  of  the  sanitary  company  shall be in the jurisdiction of the department, but at any time the department of health  and mental hygiene may object  to  any member of such company on the ground of inefficiency.

                     §   16.  Subdivisions a  and c of  section 16-120 of the administrative code of the city of New York are amended to read as follows:  

                     a. The owner, lessee, agent, occupant or  other  person  who  manages  or  controls  a building  or dwelling shall provide and maintain in accordance with this section separate receptacles for the deposit of incinerator residue  and ashes;  refuse,  and liquid waste. The receptacles shall be provided for the exclusive  use  of  each  building  or  dwelling  and  shall  be  of sufficient  size  and  number  to contain the wastes accumulated in such building  or  dwelling  during  a  period  of  seventy-two  hours.   The receptacles shall be made of metal or other material of a grade and type acceptable   to  the  department,  the  department  of  health and mental hygiene and  the department of housing preservation and development. Receptacles used for liquid waste shall be constructed so as to hold their  contents  without leakage.  Metal  containers  shall  be provided with tight fitting metal covers.

                     c. Incinerator, residue, ashes,  refuse  and  liquid  waste  shall  be  stored  in  the  building  or dwelling or at the rear of the building or dwelling as  may  be  required  by  the  department  of  health and mental hygiene or  the department  of  housing  preservation  and  development  until  time for removal and kept in tightly covered metal receptacles or containers made of other materials of a type and grade  acceptable  to  the  department, department  of  health and mental hygiene,  and  the department of housing preservation and development. After the contents have been removed by the  department  or other  collection  agency any receptacles remaining shall immediately be removed from the front of the  building  or  dwelling.  The  receptacles shall  at  all  times  be  kept  covered  or closed and kept in a manner satisfactory to the department, the department of  health and mental hygiene,  and  in  the case of residential premises, the department of housing preservation and development.  No  receptacles,  refuse, incinerator residue or ashes, or liquid waste shall be kept so as to create a nuisance.  Yard  sweepings, hedge cuttings, grass, leaves, earth, stone or bricks shall not be mixed with household wastes.

                     § 17.  Subdivision d,  paragraph 5 of subdivision f,  subdivision g, paragraph 1 of subdivision h, and subdivision l  of section 16-201.1 of the administrative code of the city of New York,  as amended by local law 75 of the year 1989,  are amended to read as follows:

                     d. The commissioner in conjunction with  the  commissioner  of  health and mental hygiene shall  promulgate and implement regulations, consistent with the laws of this state, governing the safe disposal of  regulated  household  waste. Any  violation  of  such regulations shall be punishable only by a civil penalty of not less than fifty dollars nor more than two  hundred  fifty dollars.

                     5. any other information required by regulation of the commissioner of the commissioner of health and mental hygiene.

                     g.  The commissioner of sanitation or health  and mental hygiene or an authorized agent of  such commissioner may enter upon public  or  private  property  for  the purpose  of  conducting  inspections or investigations necessary for the exercise of the  powers  or  the  performance  of  the  duties  of  such commissioners  pursuant  to  this  section,  including the inspection of documents or records relating to the storage, treatment,  transportation or  disposal  of regulated medical waste or other medical waste required to be maintained by local, state or  federal  law,  provided  that  such commissioner  or  agent  may  not  inspect  records  containing  medical information  privileged  under  the  laws  of  this  state  without  all authorizations  required  by  such  laws,  and that such commissioner or agent shall make reasonable efforts not to interfere with  patient  care activities.  Such entry may be made without a warrant during regular and usual business hours upon property  used  for  nonresidential  purposes, including   but  not  limited  to  the  provision  of  health,  medical, pharmaceutical or laboratory services, provided that such use is related to the generation, storage or disposal of regulated medical waste, or at other times upon such property in response to any  immediate  threat  to the  health or safety of one or more individuals, or of the public, that arises from the generation, storage or  disposal  of  regulated  medical waste  upon  such  property.  Warrantless  inspection  or  investigation pursuant to this subdivision shall extend only  to:  (i)  waste  storage areas;  (ii)  documents  or  records  relating  to  storage,  treatment, transportation  or  disposal  of  regulated  medical  waste,   including documents  or  records  required  to  be  maintained  by local, state or federal law; (iii) bags and containers for  the  disposal  of  regulated medical  waste;  (iv)  documents  or  records identifying the number and origin of specimens of human tissues, organs and fluids that  constitute regulated   medical   waste,   other  than  records  containing  medical information privileged under the laws of this state; and (v)  any  other inspection  or investigation necessary to respond to an immediate threat to the health or safety of one or more individuals, or  of  the  public, arising  from generation, storage or disposal of regulated medical waste upon  such  property.  Refusal  to  permit  entry pursuant to this subdivision,  where  the  commissioner  of  sanitation  or  health and mental hygiene or an authorized agent of such commissioner has obtained a  warrant  for  such  entry  or  is  authorized  by this subdivision to inspect or investigate without a warrant, shall be a misdemeanor punishable by  not  more  than thirty  days  imprisonment,  or  by  a fine of not more than one hundred dollars or both.  

                     h. 1. In addition to any other enforcement  procedures  authorized  by  law,  the commissioner, with the written approval of the commissioner of health  and mental hygiene, shall be authorized to order in writing that premises  on  which activity  in  violation  of  this  section is occurring be closed if the commissioner finds that  continuing  activity  on  such  premises  would result  in generation, storage or disposal of regulated medical waste or other medical waste in a manner posing an imminent threat to the  public health  or  safety,  provided  that  no  facility licensed, permitted or certificated pursuant to article twenty-eight of the public  health  law or part thereof or facility providing inpatient services or part thereof may  be closed pursuant to this subdivision. Such premises may be opened at any time by any person otherwise  lawfully  entitled  to  enter  such premises  in  response to an immediate threat to the health or safety of one or more individuals, or of the  public.  For  the  purpose  of  this subdivision,  the determination whether an imminent threat to the public health or safety exists shall be based on factors that include  but  are not  limited  to:  (i)  the  quantity  of  regulated  medical waste, the generation, storage or  disposal  of  which  is  in  violation  of  this section;  (ii)  the types of such regulated medical waste; and (iii) the risk of harm to the public or the environment.  

                     l.  In  addition  to  the  department,  the department of health and mental hygiene shall enforce the provisions of this section, other than  subdivisions  h,  j, and  k  of this section. This section shall not be construed to restrict in any manner the regulatory or enforcement authority conferred upon any agency of the city by any other provision of state or local law.     

                     § 18.  Paragraph  1 of  subdivision  b of section 16-131.2 of the administrative code of the city of New York,  as added by local law 40 of the year 1990, is amended to read as follows:

                     1.  If  the commissioner finds that premises for which a permit is required pursuant to section 16-130  of  this  chapter  are  being  used either without such permit or in a manner which poses an imminent threat to  the  public  health  or  safety,  then the commissioner may order in writing that (a) such premises be sealed, secured and closed and/or  (b) that  equipment,  vehicles  or  other  personal  property  used  on such premises be removed or sealed and secured. Upon the  effective  date  of such order, no person shall have access to such premises and/or use such equipment  except as authorized by the commissioner. Upon such effective date,  authorized  officers  and  employees  of  the   department,   the department  of  health and mental hygiene and the New York city police department shall act upon and enforce such order. The finding whether an imminent  threat  to the  public  health  or  safety  exists  shall  be based on factors that include but are not limited to: (i) the quantity of solid waste,  or  of material listed in subparagraph (b) of paragraph one of subdivision a of section  16-130  of this chapter, that may pose a threat; (ii) the types of solid waste, or of such material listed in  such  subparagraph,  that may  pose  a  threat; and/or (iii) the risk of harm to the public or the environment. For the purpose of this  paragraph:  "sealed,  secured  and closed"  or  "sealed  and  secured"  shall  mean  the  use  of any means available to render  the  premises  or  any  part  thereof,  and/or  any equipment,  vehicles  or  other  personal  property  contained  therein, inaccessible or inoperable, including but not limited to the  use  of  a padlock or cinder blocks.

                     § 19.   The chapter heading of chapter 1 of title 17 of the administrative code of the city of New York  is amended to read as follows:

DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND MENTAL HYGIENE

                     § 20.   Subdivisions b and c of section 17-101 of the administrative code of the city of New York  are amended to read as follows: 

(b) "Commissioner" means the commissioner of the department of health and mental hygiene.

                        (c) "Department" means the department of health and mental hygiene.

                     §  21.  Section 17-115 of the administrative code of the city of New York is amended to read as follows:

                     § 17-115.  Right  of  inspection.  It  is  hereby made the duty of all departments, officers, and agents, having the control, charge or custody of any public structure, work, ground, or  erection,  or  of  any  plan, description,  outline,  drawing  or charts thereof, or relating thereto, made, kept or controlled under  any  public  authority,  to  permit  and facilitate  the  examination and inspection, and the making of copies of the same by any officer or person, authorized to do so by the department of health and mental hygiene.

                     §  22.    Subdivision c of  section 17-123 of the administrative code of the city of New York,  as added by local law 33 of the year 1986,  is amended to read as follows:

                     c.  The  department  of health and mental hygiene  shall promulgate such regulations as it deems necessary to comply with the  provisions  of  this  section,  with respect  to  the annual notice to tenants, and the notice requirement in all multiple dwelling leases.

                     §  23.  Section 17-171 of the administrative code of the city of New York is amended to read as follows:

                     17-171  Records of marriages on file with the department of health and mental hygiene; transfer  to  the  city  clerk;  certification.  a.  The  department  is authorized  to transfer to and the city clerk of the city of New York is authorized to receive and maintain all  original  records  of  marriages filed with the department or the office of the city inspector subsequent to the year eighteen hundred sixty-six together with the indexes to such records.

                     §  24.  Subdivision a of section 17-182 of the administrative code of the city of New York,  as added by local law 16 of the year 2001,  is amended to read as follows:

                     a.  Any  corporation  of government, the expenses of which are paid in whole or in part from the  city  treasury,  which  provides  health  and medical  services and operates health facilities and which is authorized to employ special officers having peace officer status as defined in New York Criminal Procedure Law § 2.10(40),  shall  utilize  peace  officers appointed  pursuant to said subdivision to perform the duties of special officer, senior special  officer  and  hospital  security  officer.  The commissioner of the department of health and mental hygiene shall enforce this requirement.       

                      § 25.   Subdivision d of section 17-327 of the administrative code of the city of New York is amended to read as follows: 

                        d. Application for a license or the renewal of a license shall be made to the department of health and mental hygiene. Such application shall contain the name and address  of  the owner of the horse and of the owner of the rental horse business in which such horse is to be used if such  person  is  not  the owner  of  the  horse,  the  age,  sex,  color,  markings  and any other identifying marks such as brands or tattoos of the horse,  the  location of  the  stable  where the horse is to be kept and any other information which the commissioner  of  health  and mental hygiene may  require.  An  application  with respect to a horse which is used in the operation of a "horse drawn cab" as  defined  in  subchapter twenty-one of chapter two of title twenty of this code  shall  include  the  identification  number  required  to  be inscribed  on  such horses hoof pursuant to the rules and regulations of the department of consumer affairs. The application shall be accompanied by the license or renewal fee.  

                     §   26. Subdivision n of section 17-330 of the administrative code of the city of New York, as added by local law 2 of the year 1994,  is amended to read as follows: 

                     n.  Every horse required to be licensed hereunder shall be examined by  a veterinarian  prior  to  its  use  in  a  rental  horse  business  and thereafter at intervals of not more than one year. The examination shall include  the  general  physical condition of the horse, its teeth, hoofs and shoes, and its stamina and physical ability to perform the  work  or duties  required  of  it. The examination shall also include a record of any injury, disease, or deficiency observed by the veterinarian  at  the time, together with any prescription or humane correction or disposition of  the  same. A signed health certificate by the examining veterinarian shall be maintained at the  stable  premises  at  which  such  horse  is located.  A  copy  of  said certificate shall be mailed by the examining veterinarian to the department of health and mental hygiene.  

                        § 27.   Subdivisions c and f section  of 17-359 of the administrative code of the city of New York,  as added by local law 12 of  the year 1997, are amended to read as follows:                     

                     c. Each license issued pursuant to this subchapter and a sign  in  the form  prescribed  by  the commissioner indicating a department of health and mental hygiene address or telephone number  where  customers  may  register  complaints shall  be  posted  in  a  conspicuous  place  on  the premises where the licensee is applying tattoos.  

                     f. All advertising by or  for  a  licensee  must  contain  the  phrase "LICENSED  BY  THE  NEW  YORK CITY DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND MENTAL HYGIENE" and the license number of such licensee.  For  the  purposes  of  this  subdivision,  an alphabetical  listing  in  a telephone directory shall not be considered advertising.

                     §  28.   Section 17-407 of the administrative code of the city of  New York is amended to read as follows: 

                     17-407.   Reports.  The obstetrics or gynecology department of each hospital where sterilizations are performed, the administrator in charge of each clinic where sterilizations are  performed,  and  physicians  in private  practice who perform sterilizations must submit monthly reports of the number of sterilizations performed to the department  of  health and mental hygiene. Forms will be provided by the department.

                     § 29.  Subdivisions f and g of section 17-502 of the administrative code of the city of New York,  as amended by local law 5 of the year 1995,  are amended to read as follows:

                     f.  "Commissioner"  means  the  commissioner  of  the  New  York  City department of health and mental hygiene.

                     g. "Department" means the New York City department of health and mental hygiene.  

                     §  30.                      Subdivision c of section 17-601 of the administrative code of the city of New York, as added by local law 104 of the year 1989,  is amended to read as follows: 

                     c. "The department" shall mean the New York city department of health and mental hygiene.

                     §  31.   Paragraph 1 of subdivision d of section 17-609 of the administrative code of the city of New York, as added by local law 104 of  the year 1989,   is amended to read as follows:

                     (1) The board of education, in consultation with the department of health and mental hygiene, shall promulgate rules, which  to  the  extent  practicable  are consistent   with  the  procedures  established  by  the  United  States department of transportation, to  implement  this  chapter.  Such  rules shall  include  initial  cutoff  levels  to be used when screening urine specimens to determine whether they test  positive  for  illegal  drugs, chain  of  custody procedures to account for the integrity of each urine specimen by tracking its handling and storage  from  point  of  specimen collection to final disposition, specimen collection procedures, quality assurance   and  quality  control  programs,  procedures  governing  the reporting and review of test results and  procedures  to  safeguard  the confidentiality of drivers.

                     § 32.  Subdivision b, subdivision c, paragraph 1 of subdivision e, and paragraph 2 of subdivision h of section 17-621 of the administrative code of the city of New York, as added by local law 83 of the year 1992,  are amended to read as follows: 

                      b.  (1)  It  shall be the responsibility of the holder of the right to place or display advertisements in or on a unit of advertising space (i) to maintain at all times the ratio of public health messages to  tobacco advertisements  required  by this section; and (ii) to maintain accurate records indicating on a daily basis the number of tobacco advertisements and public health messages placed  or  displayed  by  such  holder,  the locations  of  such  advertisements  and public health messages, and any other information deemed necessary by  the  authorizing  agency  or  the department of health and mental hygiene. Such holder shall provide to the city council and the authorizing agency for such unit a quarterly report  containing  the number  of  tobacco  advertisements and public health messages placed or displayed  by  such  holder  during  the  preceding  three  months,  the locations  of  such advertisements and public health messages, the dates on which such advertisements and public health messages were placed  and displayed  and any other information deemed necessary by the authorizing agency or the department of health and mental hygiene. The authorizing agency shall provide a copy of the quarterly report to  the  department  of  health  and  any analysis  of  such  report  deemed necessary by the department. Any such holders  who  are  affiliated  companies  may  combine  their  units  of advertising space for purposes of complying with the ratio requirements, maintaining  the  daily  records  and  providing  the  quarterly report,  required by this section. Taxicabs which are part of a taxicab fleet  or taxicab  minifleet  may  be  combined for purposes of complying with the ratio requirements, maintaining the  daily  records  and  providing  the quarterly report, required by this section. For-hire vehicles affiliated with  a  for-hire vehicle base may be combined for purposes of complying with the ratio requirements, maintaining the daily records and providing the quarterly report, required by this section. In such cases, the owner of the taxicab fleet, taxicab minifleet or for-hire vehicle  base  shall comply  with  the  ratio  requirements,  maintain  the daily records and provide the quarterly report on behalf of the owners of the taxicabs  or for-hire vehicles.

                     (2) The holder of the permit authorizing a special event shall provide a  report to the authorizing agency containing the number, locations and dates of placement and display of (i) advertisements which promoted  the special  event,  identifying  those  advertisements  which  were tobacco advertisements; (ii) signage which was intended to discourage the use of tobacco products; and (iii) any  public  health  messages.  Such  report shall  also  include  any  other  information  deemed  necessary  by the authorizing agency or the department of health and mental hygiene. The  authorizing  agency shall provide a copy of such report to the department.

                     c.  The  department of health and mental hygiene, together with the authorizing agencies, shall encourage the creation and submission of public health messages by interested individuals, groups or other entities. The authorizing agency for a  unit  of  advertising  space  shall  ensure  that  (i)  at  least twenty-five percent of the public health messages placed or displayed in or on such unit are directed to the youth population; and (ii) the ratio of  public  health  messages  to tobacco advertisements required by this section is achieved  for  such  unit,  through  regular  monitoring  and enforcement activities.

                     (1)  Any interested individual, group or other entity may submit a proposed public health message to the department of health and mental hygiene for approval. The department shall select for placement or display in or on a unit  of advertising  space  those  public  health  messages  which  it  deems to communicate most effectively the health risks of tobacco product use  or the  health  benefits  of not using tobacco products. Such public health messages shall not use the name, image or  likeness  of  any  individual without  the  consent  of  that  individual  or  shall  not infringe any person's  trade  name,  trademark,  service  mark  or  copyright,  under applicable  federal and state law. The department shall, to the greatest extent possible, select public health messages  which  are  sufficiently different in visual images and text in order to ensure the holder of the right  to  place  or display advertising an adequate selection of public health messages for placement or display in or on such holder's unit  of advertising  space.  The  department shall clearly indicate those public health messages which it deems to be directed to the youth population.

                     2. shall within ten days of the effective date of the local  law  that added  this  section,  notify  the  authorizing  agency  for the unit of advertising space in writing of such person's inability to  comply  with subdivisions  a  through  g of this section, setting forth in detail the reasons therefor and the earliest date upon which  compliance  can  be achieved.  The  authorizing  agency  shall, as soon as practicable after receipt of such information, forward it to the department of health  and mental hygiene and the  city council. Any person who fails to notify the authorizing agency as required by this  paragraph  or  who  knowingly  submits  information required  by  this  paragraph  which  is  false  or misleading shall, in addition to any other penalties provided by law, be liable for  a  civil penalty of not more than one thousand dollars.  

                        § 33.    Section 17-623 of the administrative code of the city of New York, as amended by local law 2 of the year 2000, is amended to read as follows:

                     17-623  Enforcement. The department of health and mental hygiene  and the department of consumer affairs shall  enforce  the  provisions  of  this  chapter.  In addition, designated enforcement employees of any authorizing agency and the department of finance shall have the power to enforce the provisions of this chapter.

                     §  34.  Subdivision b of section 17-624 of the administrative code of the city of New York,  as amended by local law  2 of the year 2000, is amended to read as follows:

                     b.  A  proceeding  to recover any civil penalty authorized pursuant to the provisions of subdivision a of  this  section  for  a  violation  of section  17-618,  17-619 or 17-620 of this chapter shall be commenced by the service of a notice of violation which shall be  returnable  to  the administrative  tribunal  established  by  the board of health where the department of health and mental hygiene issues such notice or the adjudication division  of the department of consumer affairs where that department or a designated employee  of  any authorizing agency or the department of finance issues such notice. Such notice shall contain a statement that any hearing  for a second violation or subsequent violations of section 17-618, 17-619 or 17-620 at the same place of business within a two-year period shall also constitute  a  hearing for the revocation of a retail dealer's cigarette license where the retail dealer is found to be in violation of any  such sections.  Where  the  department  of health and mental hygiene finds a retail dealer to be liable for  a  violation  of  section  17-618,  17-619  or  17-620  that department shall notify the department of consumer affairs within thirty days  of  such finding. Where the department of consumer affairs finds a retail dealer to be liable for a violation of section 17-618, 17-619  or 17-620,  that  department  shall  notify the department of health within thirty days of such finding. A proceeding to recover any  civil  penalty authorized  pursuant  to the provisions of subdivision a of this section for a violation of section 17-621 or authorized pursuant to  subdivision h  of  section 17-621 shall be returnable to the administrative tribunal established by the board of health. A proceeding to  recover  any  civil penalty  authorized  pursuant to the provisions of subdivision a of this section for a violation of section 17-622 shall  be  returnable  to  the administrative  tribunal  established  by  the  board  of  health.  Such tribunal shall have the power to impose the civil  penalties  prescribed by  subdivision  a of this section or subdivision h of section 17-621 of this chapter. The adjudication division of the  department  of  consumer affairs shall have the power to impose the civil penalties prescribed by subdivision  a of this section for a violation of section 17-618, 17-619 or 17-620 of this chapter.  

                     §  35.   Section 17-801 of the administrative code of the city of New York, as added by local law 26 of the year 2000,  is amended to read as follows:

                     Legislative findings. The City Council hereby finds that New York City is experiencing a serious overpopulation of unwanted dogs  and cats.  This  is a matter of serious concern affecting the public health, safety and welfare. The  Center  for  Animal  Care  and  Control,  which operates  animal  shelters  under contract with the City's Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, estimates that 67,000 unwanted, stray or abandoned dogs and cats entered its facilities in 1998. Of these animals, approximately  seventy percent were not spayed or neutered. While wandering the City's streets, homeless  dogs  and  cats  reproduce  at  alarming rates, exacerbating a potentially unhealthy and dangerous  situation.  As  a  result  of  this situation,  dog  packs  have formed in some areas, increasing numbers of individuals and animals are  at  risk  for  rabies,  and  many  homeless animals  have  become  the victims of vehicular accidents. These animals also suffer from lack of food and water and exposure  to  the  elements. Given  the  large  and  growing  number  of  unwanted dogs and cats, the Council finds that a law providing for a full-service animal shelter  in each  borough  and  the  spaying  and  neutering of animals adopted from animal shelters or purchased from pet shops is necessary to protect  the health,  safety and welfare of New York City residents. The Council also  finds that with the advancement of medical knowledge over the  past  ten years,  many veterinarians now advocate and practice early sterilization of pets, as early  as  eight  weeks  of  age.  Veterinarians  at  animal hospitals  and  humane  shelters  across  the  country,  as  well as the American  Society  for  the  Prevention  of  Cruelty  to  Animals,  have performed  thousands  of  early  spay-neuter  surgeries. Many veterinary associations now also agree that even though any  surgery  has  inherent risks, kittens and puppies heal faster and are lower surgical risks than older  animals who may be ill, in heat, or pregnant. If dogs or cats are spayed or neutered before adoption from a shelter or purchase from a pet shop, then the chance that they will add more unwanted offspring to  the numbers that already exist will be eliminated.

                     §  36.  Subdivision h of section 19-136 of the administrative code of the city of New York,  as amended by local law 72 of the year 1995, is amended to read as follows: 

                      h.  In  addition to police officers, officers and authorized employees  of the department, the department of consumer affairs, the department of health and mental hygiene, and the department of sanitation shall have the power to enforce the provisions of  this  section,  other  than  subdivision  j  of  this section, relating to the sale and display of goods, wares or merchandise in the public space.

                     § 37.                     Subdivision d of section 19-137 of the administrative code of the city of New York,  as amended by local law 104 of the year 1993, is amended to read as follows:

                     d. No condition shall be created or maintained as the result  of  land contour  work  that  will  interfere  with  existing  drainage  unless a substitute  therefor  is  provided  which   is   satisfactory   to   the commissioner   and  the  commissioner  of  environmental  protection  in accordance  with  criteria  established   by   such   commissioners   in consultation  with  the  department  of  health and mental hygiene.  Watercourses, drainage ditches, conduits and other like or unlike means of carrying  off  water or  disposing of surface water shall not be obstructed by refuse, waste, building materials, earth, stones, tree stumps, branches or by any other means that may interfere with surface drainage or cause the  impoundment of  surface  waters  either  within or without the area on which contour work is performed. All excavations shall be  drained  and  the  drainage maintained  as  long  as  the  excavation  continues  or  remains. Where necessary, pumping shall be used. Fill material shall consist of  inert, inorganic  matter. It shall be unlawful to deposit garbage, waste paper, lumber or other organic material in land fill. The  provisions  of  this section  shall  not  prevent placement of organic matter for fill by the department of sanitation in locations under  the  jurisdiction  of  such department.  The commissioner shall have the power, in consultation with the commissioner of buildings to adopt  rules  concerning  the  type  of material  that may be used for fill on land not mapped as park land. The commissioner shall enforce compliance with the  provisions  hereof,  and shall  make  immediate  complaint  to  the  corporation  counsel  of any violation  thereof.  In  addition,  the  commissioner of buildings shall similarly enforce compliance with the provisions hereof with respect  to any  land  contour  work  performed  pursuant  to a permit issued by the commissioner of buildings, and in  addition  thereto  shall  inform  the department  of  any  failure  to  comply  with a department of buildings violation order relating to the provisions hereof.

                       § 38.   Subdivision c of section 19-162.2 of the administrative code of the city of New York,  as added by local law  40 of the year 1997, is amended to read as follows:

                     c.  The  volunteer  ambulance  service  shall  specify  the  requested  geographic  territory  for each permit, which may not exceed the primary operating territory listed on the department of health and mental hygiene ambulance service registration or certification pursuant to section three thousand four of the public health law.

                     § 39.  Subdivision g of section 19-171 of the administrative code of the city of New York,  as added by local law 5 of the year 2001,  is amended to read as follows:

                     g.  The  department of health and mental hygiene shall distribute informational materials through the department's school  health  program,  which  shall  include information   explaining  the  hazards  of  operating  scooters  without protective headgear. These informational materials shall be  printed  in multiple  languages  and  shall  be  made available to any member of the public upon request.

                     §  40.  Subparagraph C of paragraph 1 of subdivision d of section 20-202 of the administrative code of the city of New York, as amended by local law 30 of the year 2000, is amended to read as follows:

                     (C) the commissioner  has  not  received  notification  from  the commissioner  of  finance  or the commissioner of the department of  health  and mental hygiene that such applicant is  not  in  full  compliance  with  any   provisions  of  chapter  thirteen  of title eleven of this code, or chapter forty of title eleven of this code relating to the sale  of  cigarettes,  or  chapter  seven of title seventeen of this code, or  chapter eight of  title  seventeen  of  this  code,  or  any  rules promulgated  by  the commissioner of finance or the commissioner of  the department  of  health and mental hygiene  to  effectuate  the  purposes  of  such chapters.

                     § 41.                     Subdivision c of section 20-244 of the administrative code of the city of New York is amended to read as follows:

                      c. Each application shall be accompanied by  a  certificate  from  the department of health and mental hygiene certifying that the applicant is not suffering from any disease or infirmity which would render him or her unfit as a guide.

                     § 42.   Paragraph 3 of subdivision  h of section 20-268 of the administrative code of the city of New York, as amended by local law 59 of the year 1996, is amended to read as follows:

                     (3) The commissioner shall cause periodic inspection to be made of the  area  and  must be satisfied that such premises comply with all laws and rules  and  regulations  of  the  department  of  buildings,  the   fire department,  the department of transportation, the department of health and mental hygiene, and the department of environmental protection insofar as the  same  are applicable   thereto.   For  purposes  of  facilitating  the  inspection prescribed by this section, the commissioner is authorized to call  upon the  heads of the above named departments and such departments and their employees shall make such inspections as may be required.  

                     §  43.  Subdivision e of section 20-381.1 of the administrative code of the city of New York, as added by local law 2 of the year 1994, is amended to read as follows:

                     e. This section shall be enforced by the department and the department  of  transportation,  with the cooperation of the department of parks and recreation, the police department, the  department of health and mental hygiene and  the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals.

                     §  44.  Subdivision c of section 20-465.1 of the administrative code of the city of New York,  as added by local law 14 of the year 1995, is amended to read as follows:

                     c. Copies of any rules promulgated pursuant to this section  shall  be mailed  to each licensed general vendor or licensed food vendor, by the department or the department of health and mental hygiene, respectively, by regular mail at the last home address provided by the vendor to the  department  or  the department  of  health  and mental hygiene and  shall be annexed to each license or renewal issued to any general vendor or food vendor.

                     § 45.  Subdivision a of section 21-120.3 of the administrative code of the city of New York, as amended by local law 41 of the year 1994, is amended to read as follows:

                     a.  Temporary  task force on child care funding. a. Not later than thirty days from the effective date of  this  section  as  amended, there  shall be a temporary task force on child care funding established by the mayor which shall consist of representatives of each city  agency authorized  to  license,  permit, fund, or otherwise regulate child care facilities or services and such other persons as shall be  provided  for in  this  section.  City agency representatives to such task force shall include, but shall not be  limited  to,  representatives  of  the  human resources  administration  and the department of health and mental hygiene. The comptroller of the city of New York may designate a representative to serve on  such task  force. Additional members of such task force shall be appointed as follows: five members appointed by the speaker of the council  and  six, including  the  chairperson  of  the  task  force,  by  the  mayor. Such additional members of the task force shall include,  but  shall  not  be limited  to, representatives of child care providers. The members of the task force, including the chairperson, shall serve without compensation.

                     §  46.  Subdivision a of section 21-123 of the administrative code of the city of New York, as amended by local law 27 of the year 1991, is amended to read as follows:

                     a. There is hereby established a temporary commission on childhood and child  caring  programs  consisting  of fifteen members. The mayor shall appoint nine members, one  of  whom  shall  serve  as  chairperson.  The speaker  of  the  council shall appoint six members. None of the fifteen members appointed by the mayor or the speaker shall be elected officials or employees of the city of New York. In addition, the president of  the council,   the  comptroller,  the  human  resources  administrator,  the chancellor of the board of education of the city, the chairperson of the general welfare committee  of  the  council,  the  commissioner  of  the department  of health and mental hygiene of the city, the commissioner of the department of mental health of the city, the speaker of the  council  or  his  or  her representative,  and a representative from the office of the mayor shall each serve as a non-voting, ex-officio member of the commission or shall designate a person to serve in his or her place.   The  commissioner  of the  department  of social services of the state of New York may, at his or her discretion, serve as  a  non-voting,  ex-officio  member  of  the commission  or  designate  a  person  to serve in his or her place. Such commission shall have a duration of nine months.   The  members  of  the commission  shall  be appointed within thirty days of the effective date of this section. Each member, including each  ex-officio  member,  shall serve without compensation for the duration of the commission.  

                     §  47.                     Subdivision e of section 21-312 of the administrative code of the city of New York,  as added by local law 19 of the year 1999, is amended to read as follows:

                     e.  The  commissioner  shall  submit  to  the  speaker  of the council quarterly reports summarizing the health, sanitation,  safety  and  fire protection-related  deficiencies  identified  in  any  inspection  of  a shelter for adults conducted by any  state  agency,  including  but  not limited to the office of temporary and disability assistance, the office of  children  and  family services, and the New York state department of health; and any city agency including, but not limited to, the New  York city  fire  department,  the New York city department of health and mental hygiene, and the New York city department of buildings; any other government agency;  and any  organization appointed by any court. The first such report shall be due thirty business days following the calendar quarter ending September thirtieth, nineteen hundred and ninety-eight and all subsequent  reports shall  be  due  thirty  business  days  following  the  last day of each succeeding calendar quarter. Such quarterly reports shall  include,  but not be limited to, the following:

                     §  48. Section 24-102 of the administrative code of the city of New York, as amended by local law 39 of the year 1989, is amended to read as follows:

                     24-102.  It is hereby declared to be the public policy of the city to preserve, protect and improve the air resources of the  city so as to promote health, safety and welfare, prevent injury to human, plant and animal  life  and  property,  foster  the  comfort  and convenience  of its inhabitants and, to the greatest degree practicable, facilitate the enjoyment of the natural attractions of the city.  It  is the  public policy of the city that every person is entitled to air that is not detrimental to life, health and enjoyment of his or her property. It is hereby declared that the emission into the open air of harmful  or objectionable  substance,  including but not limited to smoke, soot, fly ash, dust, fumes, gas, vapors, odors or any products  of  combustion  or incomplete  combustion  resulting from the use of fuel burning equipment or refuse burning equipment is a  menace  to  the  health,  welfare  and comfort  of  the  people  of the city and a cause of extensive damage to property. For the purpose of controlling and reducing air pollution,  it is hereby declared to be the policy of the city to actively regulate and eliminate such emissions. The necessity for legislation by the enactment of  the  provisions  of  this  chapter is hereby declared as a matter of legislative determination. This code shall be liberally construed so  as to  effectuate  the  purposes  described in this section. Nothing herein shall be construed to abridge the  emergency  powers  of  the  board  of health  of  the  department of health  and mental hygiene or the right of such department to engage in any of its necessary or proper activities.

                     §  49.  Subdivision  48  of section 24-104 of the administrative code of the city of New York is amended to read as follows:

                     (48) Refuse containerization system means any system for the  disposal of  waste  material and garbage jointly approved as to specifications by the department of health and mental hygiene, the department  of  housing  preservation  and development  and the department pursuant to section 27-2021 of the code, which utilizes containers compatible with mechanical loading systems  on vehicles operated for the collection of refuse.

                     §  50.  Section 24-202 of the administrative code of the city of New York, as amended by local law 18 of the year 1993, is amended to read as follows:

                     24-202.  It is hereby declared to be the public policy  of the city to reduce the ambient noise level in the city, so as to preserve, protect and promote the public health, safety and  welfare, and  the  peace and quiet of the inhabitants of the city, prevent injury to human, plant and animal life and property, foster the convenience and comfort of its inhabitants, and facilitate the enjoyment of the  natural attractions  of the city. It is the public policy of the city that every person is entitled to ambient noise levels that are not  detrimental  to life, health and enjoyment of his or her property. It is hereby declared that  the  making, creation or maintenance of excessive and unreasonable noises within the city  affects  and  is  a  menace  to  public  health, comfort,  convenience,  safety, welfare and the prosperity of the people of the city. For the purpose of controlling and reducing such noises, it is hereby declared to be the policy of the city to set the  unreasonable noise  standards  and decibel levels contained herein and to consolidate certain of its noise control legislation into this code.  The  necessity for legislation by enactment of the provisions of this chapter is hereby declared as a matter of legislative determination.   This  code  shall  be  liberally  construed  so  as  to effectuate the purposes described in this section. Nothing herein shall be construed to abridge the emergency powers of the board of health or the right of  the department  of  health  and mental hygiene to  engage  in  any  of  its necessary or proper activities. Nothing herein shall abridge the powers and responsibilities of the police department to enforce the provisions of this code.

                     § 51.  Subdivisions  c and e  of section 24-503 of the administrative code of the city of New York are amended to read as follows:

                     c.  The commissioner of environmental protection shall submit such map or plan simultaneously to the department of health and mental hygiene, the director of city planning,  each  affected  community  board  and  the  office   of   the appropriate  borough  president.  The  department of health and mental hygiene shall review such map or plan with respect to the creation or abatement of any health hazard. Such department shall file a statement with the commissioner  of environmental  protection and the director of city planning, in relation to such map or plan, within fifteen days subsequent to  such  submission either approving or disapproving such map or plan.

                       e.  Copies  of  such  map  or  plan as approved in accordance with the provisions of this  section  shall  be  filed  by  the  commissioner  of environmental  protection in each county office of record, the community board for the community in which any portion of  such  map  or  plan  is situated and the office of the borough president in which any portion of such  map  or  plan  is  situated within the city of New York and in the offices of the department of transportation and department of health  and mental hygiene of such city.

                     § 52.    Section 24-602 of the administrative code of the city of New York,  as added by local law 42 of the year 1987, is amended to read as follows:

                     24-602.   Declaration of policy. It is hereby declared to be the public policy  of  the  city  to  respond  to emergencies caused by releases or threatened releases of hazardous substances into the environment  so  as to  preserve, protect and improve the public health, safety and welfare, and to prevent injury to human, plant and animal life and  property.  It is  the  policy  of  the  city  that  every  person  is  entitled  to an environment free of hazardous substances that are detrimental  to  life, health,  and  enjoyment  of  property.  It  is  hereby declared that the release  or  threat  of  release  of  hazardous  substances   into   the environment  is a menace to the health, safety and welfare of the people of the city and may cause extensive damage to  the  environment  and  to property.  This chapter shall be liberally construed so as to effectuate the  purposes  described  in  this  section.  Nothing  herein  shall  be construed to abridge the powers of the board of health or the department of health and mental hygiene to engage in any of their authorized activities.

                     § 53.  Subdivision f of section 25-303 of the administrative code of the city of New York, as amended by local law 71 of the year 1991, is amended to read as follows:

                     f.  Within  ten  days  after  making any such designation or amendment thereof, the commission shall file a copy of same with the council,  the department  of  buildings,  the  city  planning commission, the board of standards and appeals, the fire department and the department of health and mental hygiene.

                     §  54.  Subdivisions a and b of section 25-312 of the administrative code of the city of New York are amended to read as follows:

                     25-312  Remedying of dangerous conditions. a. In any case where the department of buildings,  the  fire  department  or  the  department  of health  and mental hygiene, or any officer or agency thereof, or any court on application or at  the  instance of any such department, officer or agency, shall order or direct the construction, reconstruction, alteration or demolition  of any  improvement  on  a  landmark  site  or  in  an historic district or containing an interior landmark, or the performance of  any  minor  work upon   such   improvement,  for  the  purpose  of  remedying  conditions determined  to  be  dangerous  to  life,  health  or  property,  nothing contained  in  this chapter shall be construed as making it unlawful for any person, without prior issuance of a  certificate  of  no  effect  on protected  architectual  features  or certificates of appropriateness or permit for minor work pursuant to this  chapter,  to  comply  with  such order or direction.

                     b.  The  department  of  buildings,  fire  department or department of health and mental hygiene, as the case may be, shall give the commission as early notice as is practicable, of the proposed issuance or issuance of any  such  order or direction.

                     §  55.  Paragraph a of subdivision 6 of section 26-301 of the administrative code of the city of New York is amended to read as follows:

                     a. There shall be an interagency relocation coordinating committee, which shall consist of a deputy  mayor  designated  by  the  mayor,  and representatives  of  the department of buildings, the department of city planning, department of health and mental hygiene, the department of  housing  preservation and  development, the New York city housing authority, the commission on human rights, the board of education, the triborough bridge  and  tunnel authority  and  the  department  of  social  services.  Each such board, authority, commission or agency and the head  of  each  such  department shall  appoint  as  a  representative  one  officer or employee who is a member  of the staff of such board, authority, commission, department or agency and is qualified to participate in the functions of the committee as  herein  prescribed.  Such  representatives  shall  represent   their respective  agencies  as  members  of  the  committee.  The deputy mayor designated by the mayor as a member  of  such  committee  shall  be  its chairperson.  It  shall  advise the commissioner of housing preservation and development  for  the  purpose  of  assisting  the  commissioner  in developing  a  relocation program for the city which will best serve the public interest. The members  of  the  committee  shall  serve  as  such without additional compensation.

                     § 56.   Subdivision  2 of section 27-139 of the administrative code of the city of New York, as amended by local law 65 of the year 1996, is amended to read as follows:

                        2.  In  the  event  that a private sewage treatment plant is proposed, evidence of submission of plans  for  approval  of  such  plant  to  the department  of  environmental protection and the department of health and mental hygiene as required by law.

                     §  57.  Paragraph 4 of subdivision c of section 27-157 of the administrative code of the city of New York, as amended by local law 65 of the year 1996, is amended to read as follows:

                     (4) In the event a public sewer system  is  not  available,  alternate provisions  for  disposal of storm water and sanitary sewage. If private sewers are to be  constructed  pursuant  to  subdivision  b  of  section fourteen hundred three of the New York city charter, a copy of the sewer plan.  If  a private sewage treatment plant is to be constructed, a copy of plans of the plant approved by  the  department  of  health and mental hygiene and  the department of environmental protection. If an individual on site private sewage disposal system is to be installed, a site and subsoil evaluation indicating  that  the  site  and  subsoil  conditions  comply  with  the applicable law and rules.

                     §  58.   The definition of "POTABLE WATER"  as set forth in section 27-232 of the administrative code of the city of New York is amended to read as follows:

                     POTABLE  WATER.  Water  free  from  impurities  present   in   amounts  sufficient  to  cause  disease  or  harmful  physiological  effects. Its bacteriological and chemical quality shall conform to  the  requirements of the department of health and mental hygiene.

                     §  59.  Subdivisions f and v of section 27-901 of the administrative code of the city of New York  are amended to read as follows:

                     (f) Well water systems. No well or  individual  water  supply  may  be installed  for  any purpose without the approval of the commissioner and of  the  department  of  health and mental hygiene and  the  department  of  environmental protection.

                      (v) Protection of ground and surface  water.  Sewage  or  other  waste  shall  not  be discharged into surface or subsurface water unless it has been discharged by a method subject to the approval of the  commissioner and  of  the  department  of  health and mental hygiene and the department of environmental protection.

                     §  60. Section 27-915 of the administrative code of the city of New York is amended to read as follows:

                     27-915  Operation.  No swimming pool regulated by the provisions of this code shall be operated without a  permit  from  the  department  of health and mental hygiene.

                     §   61. Subdivision a  of  section  27-2021 of the administrative code of the city of New York is amended to read as follows:

                     a. The owner or occupant in  control of a dwelling shall provide and maintain metal  cans,  or  other receptacles jointly approved as to specifications by the department, the department of sanitation and the department of health and mental hygiene, for the exclusive use  of  each  building, which shall be of sufficient size and number to contain the wastes accumulated in  such  building  during  a  period  of seventy-two  hours.  No  receptacle shall be filled to a height so as to prevent the effective closure thereof and no receptacle shall weigh more than one hundred  pounds  when  filled.  The  receptacles  shall  be  so constructed  as to hold their contents without leakage. Metal cans shall be provided with tight-fitting covers and  other  receptacles  shall  be effectively  closed. When requested by the department of sanitation, the owner or occupant in  control  shall  separate  and  place  in  separate receptacles,  ashes,  organic and inorganic wastes. Nothing contained in this  subdivision  shall  prevent  the  department,  the  department  of sanitation  and  the  department  of health and mental hygiene from jointly approving as to specifications  other  systems  for  the  disposal  of  waste  utilizing containers   of  larger  size  and  different  construction  as  may  be appropriate for such systems.

                     § 62.  Paragraph (iii) of subdivision e of section 27-2034 of the administrative code of the city of New York is amended to read as follows:

                      (iii) approved by the department of health and mental hygiene. All accessories or control devices for use with such heaters shall have proof of such listing.  

                      §  63.  Subdivision a and subparagraph iv of paragraph 2 of subdivision b of section 27-2056.3 of the administrative code of the city of New York,  as added by local law 38 of the year 1999, are amended to read as follows:

                     a. The owner of a multiple dwelling erected prior to January first, nineteen  hundred sixty  shall  provide to an occupant of a dwelling unit in such multiple dwelling at the signing of the lease, if any, or upon any  agreement  to lease,  or  at  the  commencement  of  occupancy if there is no lease, a notice inquiring as to whether a child under six years of age resides or will reside therein. The occupant shall have the duty to  complete  such notice  at  the time of such signing or agreement or at the commencement of such occupancy. Such notice must be printed on a single form and in a manner approved by the department, the content  of  which  shall  be  in English  and  Spanish  at  a  minimum.  The  pamphlet  developed  by the department of health and mental hygiene  pursuant to section 17-179  of  the  administrative code  shall be delivered by the owner to the occupant of a dwelling unit in a multiple dwelling at the time the occupant signs a lease to  reside in  such  multiple  dwelling  unit,  or  if  there  is  no lease, at the commencement of occupancy.

                     (iv) by delivering said notice in conjunction with the  annual  notice  required  pursuant  to section 17-123 of the administrative code and the regulations of the department of health  and mental hygiene pertaining to  the  installation of window guards.

                     §   64. Paragraph 12 of subdivision b of section 27-2056.5 of the administrative code of the city of  New York, as amended by local law 38 of the year 1999, is amended to read as follows:

                     (12)  when lead-based paint hazards have been corrected on any interior wood  trim  or door, a surface dust test shall be conducted on the floor immediately adjacent to the work  area.  In  addition,  when  lead-based paint  hazards have been corrected on any interior wood trim or door on, near or immediately adjacent to a window, a surface dust test  shall  be conducted on the window sill and window well immediately adjacent to the work  area.  In  addition,  when  lead-based  paint  hazards  have  been corrected on any window, a surface dust test shall be conducted  on  the floor,  window  sill  and  window  well immediately adjacent to the work area. Any surface dust tests required pursuant to this subdivision shall be  conducted  after  final  clean-up,  and  after  any  repainting,  if necessary,  has  been  completed.  All  such surface dust tests shall be completed by an individual who has  passed  a  course  approved  by  the department  of  health and mental hygiene on  how to conduct a surface dust wipe test. All such surface dust test samples shall  be  forwarded  to  an  independent state certified laboratory for analysis; and

                     §  65.  Subdivisions c and e of section 27-2056.7 of the administrative code of the city of New York,  as added by local law 38 of the year 1999, are amended to read as follows:

                     c. The pamphlet developed by the  department  of  health and mental hygiene pursuant  to section  17-179 of the administrative code shall be left at the premises of the dwelling unit at the time of an inspection made by the department pursuant to this section.  

                     e. The department shall develop a notice which shall be  addressed  to the  unit  in the multiple dwelling for which such violation was issued. Such notice shall include a  telephone  number  for  the  department  of health and mental hygiene.  The department shall also refer to the department of health and mental hygiene the address  of  the  unit in the multiple dwelling for which such violation was issued, the name of the complainant, if any, and  the  complainant's telephone  number,  if  available. The department of health, pursuant to section 17-179 of the administrative code, shall  refer  to  appropriate medical  providers  any  person  who  requests  assistance in blood lead screening, testing, diagnosis or treatment, and upon the  request  of  a parent  or  guardian,  arrange for blood lead screening of any child who requires screening and whose parent or guardian is unable  to  obtain  a lead  test  because the child is uninsured or the child's insurance does not cover such screening.

                     § 66.  Section 27-2056.9 of the administrative code of the city of New York, as added by local law 38 of the year 1999 is amended to read as follows:

                     27-2056.9  Compliance  by Departments and Remedies. Notwithstanding any provision of law to the contrary, the sole remedy against  the  city of New York, the department, or the department of health and mental hygiene , or any officer or  employee  of such city or departments, by any person for the failure to perform any regulatory duty related  to  a  lead-based  paint  hazard pursuant  to  this  chapter  shall  be  a proceeding pursuant to article seventy-eight of the civil practice law and rules to  compel  compliance with  such  chapter.  An action or proceeding may be brought against the department or the department of health and mental hygiene  to  compel  compliance  by  such departments  with  this article and the rules and procedures promulgated pursuant thereto. Nothing in this section shall be deemed to prevent any tenant or group of tenants from  bringing  a  proceeding  authorized  by subdivisions h and i of section 27-2115 of the administrative code.  

                     §   67.  Subdivisions a, b, and d of section 27-2126 of the administrative code of the city of New York,  subdivision b as amended and subdivision d as added by local law 38 of the year 1999,  are amended to read as follows:

                     27-2126  Registration of lead paint violations; enforcement. a. The department  shall  maintain  a  register  in   each   borough   of   all certifications  of lead paint violations made to it by the department of health  and mental hygiene and  such  register  shall  also  be  open  to  the  public.  The department  of  health  and hygiene shall  maintain  a  register in each borough for recording all complaints, inspections, examinations and laboratory tests with respect to lead paint levels in housing  accommodations  which  are determined  to  be  violations. Such register shall indicate the date of the complaint, the address of the dwelling premises,  the  action  taken pursuant thereto and shall be open for inspection to the public.

                      b.  If  the owner of a multiple dwelling fails to comply with an order of  the  department  of  health and mental hygiene to  correct  lead-paint  hazards,   the department  of  health and mental hygiene shall certify such conditions to the department. The procedure of certification shall be completed  within  sixteen  days from receipt of complaint or inspection or examination, whichever occurs first.  The  conditions  so certified shall be corrected within eighteen days of certification to the department.  If  such  conditions  are  not corrected within the eighteen days after certification by the department of  health and mental hygiene to  the  department  and  continue  to  exist  in  excess of seventy-two hours thereafter and are also  the  subject  of  an  article seventy-eight  proceeding  commenced  by the tenants, the supreme court, after a hearing which shall be held under  subdivision  (h)  of  section seven  thousand  eight hundred four of the civil practice law and rules, shall order and direct the department to correct such conditions  within a  period  fixed  by  the  court which shall not exceed the minimum time reasonably required to remedy such conditions.  

                     d.  Notwithstanding  any  provision  of  law to the contrary, the sole  remedy against the city of New York, the department, or  the  department of  health  and mental hygiene,  or  any officer or employee of such city or departments, by any person for the failure to perform any regulatory  duty  pursuant  to this  section shall be a proceeding pursuant to article seventy-eight of the civil practice law and rules to compel compliance with such section. Nothing in this section shall be deemed to prevent any tenant  or  group of tenants from bringing a proceeding authorized by subdivisions h and i of section 27-2115 of the administrative code.

                     § 68. This local law shall take effect immediately and shall be deemed to have been in effect as of July 1, 2002.