File #: Res 0923-2019    Version: * Name: Loitering for the purpose of engaging in a prostitution offense. (S2253-A654)
Type: Resolution Status: Adopted
Committee: Committee on Women and Gender Equity
On agenda: 6/13/2019
Enactment date: Law number:
Title: Resolution calling on the New York State Legislature to pass, and the Governor to sign, S2253-A654, which would repeal section 240.37 of the New York Penal Law, loitering for the purpose of engaging in a prostitution offense.
Sponsors: Carlina Rivera , Laurie A. Cumbo, Ritchie J. Torres, Daniel Dromm , Margaret S. Chin, Diana I. Ayala, Helen K. Rosenthal, James G. Van Bramer, Costa G. Constantinides, Ben Kallos, Carlos Menchaca, Adrienne E. Adams, Vanessa L. Gibson, Brad S. Lander, Antonio Reynoso, Stephen T. Levin, Inez D. Barron, Francisco P. Moya, Robert E. Cornegy, Jr., Farah N. Louis, Barry S. Grodenchik, Keith Powers , Andrew Cohen, Mark Levine, Alicka Ampry-Samuel , Karen Koslowitz, Deborah L. Rose, Justin L. Brannan, Public Advocate Jumaane Williams
Council Member Sponsors: 29
Attachments: 1. Res. No. 923, 2. June 13, 2019 - Stated Meeting Agenda with Links to Files, 3. Hearing Transcript - Stated Meeting 6-13-19, 4. Minutes of the Recessed Meeting of May 29, 2019 Held on June 13, 2019, 5. Minutes of the Stated Meeting - June 13, 2019, 6. Committee Report 12/3/20, 7. Hearing Testimony 12/3/20, 8. Hearing Transcript 12/3/20, 9. Committee Report 12/10/20, 10. Hearing Transcript 12/10/20, 11. December 10, 2020 - Stated Meeting Agenda with Links to Files, 12. Hearing Transcript - Stated Meeting 12-10-20, 13. Minutes of the Stated Meeting - December 10, 2020
Date Ver.Prime SponsorAction ByActionResultAction DetailsMeeting DetailsMultimedia
12/10/2020*Carlina Rivera City Council Approved, by CouncilPass Action details Meeting details Not available
12/10/2020*Carlina Rivera Committee on Women and Gender Equity Hearing Held by Committee  Action details Meeting details Not available
12/10/2020*Carlina Rivera Committee on Women and Gender Equity Approved by CommitteePass Action details Meeting details Not available
12/3/2020*Carlina Rivera Committee on Women and Gender Equity Hearing Held by Committee  Action details Meeting details Not available
12/3/2020*Carlina Rivera Committee on Women and Gender Equity Laid Over by Committee  Action details Meeting details Not available
11/27/2020*Carlina Rivera City Council Re-referred to Committee by Council  Action details Meeting details Not available
6/13/2019*Carlina Rivera City Council Referred to Comm by Council  Action details Meeting details Not available
6/13/2019*Carlina Rivera City Council Introduced by Council  Action details Meeting details Not available

Res. No. 923

 

Resolution calling on the New York State Legislature to pass, and the Governor to sign, S2253-A654, which would repeal section 240.37 of the New York Penal Law, loitering for the purpose of engaging in a prostitution offense.

 

By Council Members Rivera, Cumbo, Torres, Dromm, Chin, Ayala, Rosenthal, Van Bramer, Constantinides, Kallos, Menchaca, Adams, Gibson, Lander, Reynoso, Levin, Barron, Moya, Cornegy, Louis, Grodenchik, Powers, Cohen, Levine, Ampry-Samuel, Koslowitz, Rose, Brannan and The Public Advocate (Mr. Williams)

 

                     Whereas, One-hundred and twenty-six people were arrested in 2018 in New York City for violating Penal Law 240.37, loitering for the purposes of engaging in prostitution, according to information provided by the New York Police Department; and

Whereas, Such arrests more than doubled from the previous year, in which only 47 people were arrested for this offense; and

                     Whereas, According to the Legal Aid Society of New York, Arrests under this law have disproportionately targeted black and Latina women;

                     Whereas, Police records have demonstrated that law enforcement officers use the manner of a person’s dress as an indicator of whether they are engaging in prostitution; and

Whereas, Criminalizing the way women act and dress should have no place in state law; and

Whereas, Police records have also demonstrated that possession of contraception is used as an indicator of whether a person is engaging in prostitution; and

                     Whereas, According to the Human Rights Watch, using condoms as an indicator of being engaged in prostitution poses a significant threat to public health by discouraging the use of tools that address HIV prevention and sexual reproductive health; and 

Whereas, The law fails to effectively identify those who are engaged in the sex trade, and instead relies on stereotypes and archaic views of sexuality; and

                     

                     Whereas, Involvement in the criminal justice system can have devastating effects, including loss of employment and deportation; and

                     Whereas, Under section 212 of the Immigration and Nationality Act, a person is ineligible for documented status if they have engaged in prostitution within ten years of the date of application; and

                     Whereas, Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has patrolled human trafficking intervention courts, with the goal of deporting individuals charged with prostitution offenses; and

                     Whereas, S2243/A-654, sponsored by Senator Hoylman and Assembly Member Paulin, would repeal Penal Law 240.37 ; 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, S2253-A654, which would repeal section 240.37 of the New York Penal Law, loitering for the purpose of engaging in a prostitution offense.

LS

5/22/19

AS/CA