Preconsidered Res. No. 1799
Resolution calling upon the New York State Legislature to pass, and the Governor to sign, the Women's Equality Act.
By Council Members Ferreras, Rodriguez, Lappin, Recchia, Barron, Brewer, Chin, Arroyo, Comrie, Dickens, Dromm, Eugene, Jackson, James, Koo, Koslowitz, Lander, Mark-Viverito, Palma, Rose, Van Bramer, Vann and Koppell
Whereas, In his January 2013 State of the State address, Governor Andrew Cuomo outlined 10 points for a women's equality agenda seeking to strengthen women's rights and protections in New York; and
Whereas, On June 4, 2013, Governor Cuomo delivered the "Women's Equality Act" to the New York State Legislature and is awaiting its formal introduction by the Assembly and Senate; and
Whereas, The Women's Equality Act is a comprehensive legislative package that includes 10 points which cover a wide array of protections and areas of law; and
Whereas, For example, the Act would seek to shatter the glass ceiling by passing an equal pay law which would increase damages for underpayment or discrimination in the workplace, and would also include legislation that would ban sexual harassment in every workplace regardless of size; and
Whereas, The Women's Equality Act would also strive to strengthen lending and credit discrimination laws; and
Whereas, Furthermore, the Act would work to further protect some of the most vulnerable in our State, by enhancing and strengthening human trafficking laws; and
Whereas, Additionally, the Act would include language barring discrimination against Section 8 voucher-holders and other housing-seekers based on the source of their income; and
Whereas, Further protections included in the Act would strive to end housing discrimination for victims of domestic violence; and
Whereas, In addition, the Women's Equality Act would include provisions aimed at ending pregnancy discrimination; and
Whereas, Another provision of the Act would seek to protect victims of domestic violence by strengthening the orders of protection laws; and
Whereas, Finally, the Act would protect a woman's freedom of choice by aligning State law with existing federal law which protects a woman's right to have an abortion prior to fetal viability or when necessary to protect the health and life of the woman; and
Whereas, The Women's Equality Act is designed to address gender inequality in its many forms and restore New York's status as a leader in women's rights; and
Whereas, Over eight hundred groups, businesses and individuals support the Women's Equality Act and strongly encourage moving this agenda forward by passing this comprehensive legislation before the end of the current session; now, therefore, be it
Resolved, That the Council of the City of New York calls upon the New York State Legislature to pass, and the Governor to sign, the Women's Equality Act.
JP
6/5/13
LS#4389, 4429, 4499