Proposed Int. No. 726-A
By Council Members Abreu, Restler, Banks and Cabán
A Local Law to amend the administrative code of the city of New York, in relation to the commissioner of homeless services coordinating with hospitals to distribute informational materials on certain weather events to patients and make services directly available to discharged patients during such events
Be it enacted by the Council as follows:
Section 1. Chapter 3 of title 21 of the administrative code of the city of New York is amended by adding a new section 21-335 to read as follows:
§ 21-335 Coordination with hospitals in connection with weather events. a. Definitions. For purposes of this section, the following terms have the following meanings:
Code blue alert. The term “code blue alert” means a weather emergency notice that the city issues during inclement winter weather, as such term is defined in section 304.1 of title 18 of the New York codes, rules and regulations, that is forecasted to occur between the hours of 4:00 p.m. and 8:00 a.m.
Code red alert. The term “code red alert” means a weather emergency notice that the city issues during a period of extreme or prolonged heat, as determined by the office of emergency management, that is forecasted to occur between the hours of noon and 8:00 p.m.
Cooling center. The term “cooling center” has the same meaning as set forth in subdivision a of section 30-116.
Drop-in center. The term “drop-in center” means a facility operated by the city or a provider under contract or similar agreement with the city that provides hot meals, showers, laundry facilities, clothing, medical care, recreational space, employment referrals, or housing placement services, but not assigned placements.
Shelter. The term “shelter” means temporary emergency housing provided by the city or a provider under contract or similar agreement with the city.
Warming center. The term “warming center” means an accessible space designated by the city for the public to obtain refuge during a code blue alert.
b. Development and distribution of written materials. 1. No later than 60 days after the effective date of the local law that added this section, the commissioner shall, in consultation with any agency head the commissioner deems relevant, develop digital or written materials as deemed appropriate by the commissioner, containing information pertaining to a code blue alert and a code red alert. The commissioner shall update the content of such materials as necessary to reflect any changes in law, rule, or agency practice or policy. Such materials shall include, but need not be limited to, the following information:
(a) Resources and services provided by the department and other agencies during a code blue alert or a code red alert to individuals experiencing homelessness, including but not limited to resources and services directed to such individuals discharged from hospitals during such alerts;
(b) Recommendations for aligning hospital protocol with department service delivery during a code blue alert or a code red alert, in compliance with applicable laws, rules, and agency practice and policy, including protocols concerning the discharge of patients experiencing homelessness and the opening of designated spaces within hospitals for warming; and
(c) The department’s contact information and the contact information of any other agency deemed relevant by the commissioner, for purposes of hospitals and their patients obtaining additional information regarding department and other agency resources and services available during a code blue alert or a code red alert.
2. The commissioner shall provide the materials developed pursuant to paragraph 1 of this subdivision to hospitals located within the city.
c. Making services available to discharged patients. The commissioner shall make best efforts to do the following:
1. coordinate during a code blue alert or a code red alert with hospitals located within the city, in order to support individuals experiencing homelessness who are being discharged from such hospitals for purposes of discharge coordination and care; and
2. provide hospitals with the resources needed to engage with such individuals, including directions to drop-in centers, shelters, warming centers, and cooling centers, including during any extended hours, and transportation to such locations.
§ 2. This local law takes effect immediately.
TBM/ACK
LS #21794
4/22/2026 7:21 PM