File #: Int 0241-2026    Version: * Name: Establishing a universal youth employment program.
Type: Introduction Status: Committee
Committee: Committee on Children and Youth
On agenda: 1/29/2026
Enactment date: Law number:
Title: A Local Law to amend the New York city charter, in relation to establishing a universal youth employment program
Sponsors: Crystal Hudson, Shahana K. Hanif, Shaun Abreu, Farah N. Louis, Gale A. Brewer
Council Member Sponsors: 5
Summary: This bill would require the Department of Youth and Community Services to establish a universal employment program for youth aged 14 to 17 and for youth aged 18 to 21 who attend a middle school or high school. The program would provide a summertime or part-time school year job to all eligible youth who seek employment through the program.
Attachments: 1. Summary of Int. No. 241, 2. Int. No. 241, 3. January 29, 2026 - Stated Meeting Agenda, 4. Hearing Transcript - Stated Meeting 1-29-26

Int. No. 241

 

By Council Members Hudson, Hanif, Abreu, Louis and Brewer

 

A Local Law to amend the New York city charter, in relation to establishing a universal youth employment program

 

Be it enacted by the Council as follows:

 

Section 1. Chapter 30 of the New York city charter is amended by adding a new section 737 as follows:

§ 737 Universal Youth Employment Program

a. For the purposes of this section, the term “youth” means:

1. Any person aged 14 to 17 who is authorized to work in accordance with the provisions of article 4 of the labor law; and

2. Any person aged 18 to 21 who is enrolled full time in a middle school or high school provided that their work hours are limited to those prescribed for minors aged 16 and 17 pursuant to section 143 of title 4 of the labor law.

b. The department shall develop and administer a program for youth in consultation with the department of small business services and department of education. Subject to appropriation, the program shall:

1. Provide a summertime or part-time school year job to every youth who seeks one through the program;

2. Identify and cultivate relationships with employers from the public and private sectors that may offer youth employment opportunities;

3. Identify obstacles to youth obtaining a job through the program, including but not limited to, issues related to transportation, child care, language and cultural barriers; and

4. Ensure that youth are connected with city agencies, or community based organizations that will enable them to address obstacles identified pursuant to paragraph 3 of this section.

c. The commissioner, or such other entity as determined by such commissioner, shall engage in outreach to inform youth about the program created pursuant to subdivision b of this section. Such outreach shall include, but is not limited to, posting information about the program on the department’s website.

§ 2. This local law takes effect 180 days after it becomes law.

 

 

 

 

IP

LS #8451

Int. #0239-2024

01/08/2026 12:14 PM