Int. No. 1110
By Council Members Sanchez and Hanks
A Local Law to amend the administrative code of the city of New York, in relation to information on safe passage routes for students in New York city public schools, and to repeal section two of such local law upon the expiration thereof
Be it enacted by the Council as follows:
Section 1. Title 21-A of the administrative code of the city of New York is amended by adding a new chapter 35 to read as follows:
CHAPTER 35
SAFE PASSAGE ROUTES
§ 21-1006 Safe passage routes. a. Definitions. For purposes of this section, the following terms have the following meanings:
Community-based organization. The term “community-based organization” means a non-profit organization representing the needs of and providing services to a particular community.
Safe passage route. The term “safe passage route” means any designated walking route established by the department in coordination with the police department or community-based organizations to ensure the safety of student travel to or from school.
School. The term “school” means a school of the city school district of the city of New York, including district 75 programs, district 79 programs, and charter schools under the jurisdiction of the department.
School safety personnel. The term “school safety personnel” has the same meaning as set forth in subdivision a of section 14-197.
b. Reporting. No later than November 30, 2024, and annually thereafter, the chancellor shall submit to the speaker of the council and post on the department's website a report on all safe passage routes for the prior school year. Such report shall be disaggregated by community school district and shall include, but need not be limited to:
1. A list of schools with safe passage routes;
2. The number of school safety personnel assigned to monitor student travel on each safe passage route;
3. The names of community-based organizations assigned to each safe passage route, as applicable; and
4. The metrics of success for each such route, including but not limited to, a reduction in the number of violent crime incidents near schools, student and parent feedback, and all other such metrics.
c. Distribution of information. No later than September 15, 2024, and annually thereafter, the chancellor shall distribute to each school with a safe passage route, for distribution to every student of such school, information related to the school’s safe passage route. Distribution of such information to schools and students may be in hard copy or electronic if distribution of other similar information occurs electronically. Such information shall include, but need not be limited to:
1. A detailed map of the school’s safe passage route;
2. Safety tips for students traveling along the school’s safe passage route; and
3. Contact information for reporting issues or concerns related to the school’s safe passage route.
§ 2. Feasibility study on establishing and maintaining safe passage routes. a. Definitions. For purposes of this section, the following terms have the following meanings:
Chancellor. The term “chancellor” means the chancellor of the city school district of the city of New York.
Community-based organization. The term “community-based organization” means a non-profit organization representing the needs of and providing services to a particular community.
Department. The term “department” means the New York city department of education.
Safe passage route. The term “safe passage route” means any designated walking route established by the department in coordination with the police department or community-based organizations to ensure the safety of student travel to or from school.
School. The term “school” means a school of the city school district of the city of New York, including district 75 programs, district 79 programs, and charter schools under the jurisdiction of the department.
b. The chancellor, or such other head of agency as the mayor shall designate, shall conduct a study to assess the feasibility of establishing and maintaining safe passage routes at all schools. Such study shall be conducted in consultation with the police department and any other relevant office or agency as the mayor shall designate. No later than 180 days after the effective date of this local law, the chancellor shall submit to the speaker of the council and shall post conspicuously on the department’s website a report with the findings of such study. Such report shall:
1. Assess the estimated costs of providing safe passage routes at all schools;
2. Identify potential community-based organizations that could partner with the department to implement safe passage routes at schools;
3. Identify potential state and federal funding sources to implement safe passage routes at all schools; and
4. Include any other information relevant to assessing the feasibility of providing safe passage routes at all schools.
§ 3. This local law takes effect immediately and section two of this local law expires and is deemed repealed upon the submission of the report to the mayor and the speaker of the council as required by subdivision b of such section.
NJF
LS #14866/15379
6/07/2024 4:47 PM