Int. No. 1535-A
By Council Members Rosenthal, Kallos, Chin and Rivera
A Local Law requiring the board of correction to convene a task force to address policies related to the treatment of transgender, gender nonconforming, non-binary, and intersex individuals in the department of correction
Be it enacted by the Council as follows:
Section 1. a. The board of correction shall convene a task force to review the department of correction’s policies related to the treatment and housing of transgender, gender nonconforming, non-binary, and intersex individuals in the department of correction’s custody.
b. Such task force shall consist of a representative from each of the following who shall serve at the pleasure of the appointing agency: the department of correction, correctional health services, the commission on human rights, the mayor’s office to end domestic and gender-based violence, the nyc unity project or similar organization, and the council. Such task force shall also include at least one representative from each of the following categories, appointed by the board of correction (i) formerly incarcerated individuals; (ii) individuals formerly or currently incarcerated in the transgender housing unit, to the extent practicable; (iii) service providers that address transgender, gender nonconforming, non-binary, and intersex individuals in custody; and (iv) local and national organizations that address issues related to transgender, gender nonconforming, non-binary, and intersex individuals.
c. Any vacancies in the membership of the task force shall be filled in the same manner as the original appointment. All members shall be appointed to the task force within 60 days of the effective date of this local law.
d. Members of the task force shall serve without compensation and shall meet no less often than on a quarterly basis.
e. Within one year of the formation of the task force, such task force shall submit a report containing recommendations regarding policies related to the treatment and housing of transgender, gender nonconforming, non-binary, and intersex individuals in the department of correction’s custody, and a summary of key findings to the department of correction, mayor and the speaker of the council. Within 90 days of receiving such report, the department of correction shall provide a written response to the board of correction, the mayor, and the council. Each such written report shall be posted on the department of correction and the board of correction's websites in a format that is searchable and downloadable and that facilitates printing no later than 10 days after it is delivered to the mayor and the council. The task force shall continue to submit yearly reports thereafter until its termination.
f. The task force shall terminate by determination of the board of correction, but no earlier than one year after the issuance of a final yearly report, to be submitted in the year 2024. Any time a new correctional facility is built, the board of correction shall have the option to reconvene the taskforce for the purpose of reviewing implementation of policies related to the treatment of transgender, gender nonconforming, non-binary, and intersex individuals in such facilities.
§ 2. This local law takes effect immediately.
AS
LS 8236
6/18/19