Int. No. 128
By Council Members Quinn, Gioia, Yassky, Reyna, Martinez, Seabrook, Clarke, Nelson, Barron, Brewer, Fidler, Gerson, Jackson, Liu, Lopez, Monserrate, Recchia, Reed, Sanders, Vann and Weprin
A Local Law to amend the New York City charter, in relation to enhancing legal protections for persons that appear before or attend hearings of the council, whether the council is acting as a committee of the whole, or through any of its standing or special committees
Be it enacted by the Council as follows:
Section 1. Section 29 of chapter 2 of the New York City charter is hereby amended by adding a new subdivision c to read as follows:
c. 1. Definitions. For purposes of this subdivision:
(i) The term “adverse personnel action” shall mean dismissal, demotion, suspension, disciplinary action, negative performance evaluation, any action resulting in loss of staff, office space or equipment or other benefit, failure to appoint, failure to promote, or any transfer or assignment or failure to transfer or assign against the wishes of the affected officer or employee.
(ii) The term “person” shall mean any natural person, firm, partnership, trust, association, corporation, government agency or other entity, or person under the control of such firm, partnership, trust, association, corporation, government agency or other entity.
2. No person may threaten, harass, intimidate or take adverse personnel action against any person in retaliation for such person’s actual or proposed appearance before or attendance at a hearing of the council, whether the council is acting as a committee of the whole, or through any of its standing or special committees.
3. Violation of this subdivision shall constitute a class A misdemeanor, and shall be punishable by a fine of seven hundred fifty dollars ($750) and/or imprisonment not to exceed one year.
§ 2. This local law shall take effect immediately after it is enacted into law.