File #: Int 1438-2025    Version: * Name: Use of safe time for parental involvement in school-related events.
Type: Introduction Status: Filed (End of Session)
Committee: Committee on Consumer and Worker Protection
On agenda: 10/29/2025
Enactment date: Law number:
Title: A Local Law to amend the administrative code of the city of New York, in relation to the use of safe time for parental involvement in school-related events
Sponsors: Farah N. Louis, Christopher Marte, Shahana K. Hanif, Carmen N. De La Rosa, Oswald J. Feliz, Althea V. Stevens
Council Member Sponsors: 6
Summary: This bill would amend the City’s Earned Safe and Sick Time Act by adding a new permitted use of such time for parents attending or participating in their child’s school-related events. An employee covered by the City’s Earned Safe and Sick Time Act would be authorized to use such leave to attend or participate in their child’s school events, which would include parent-teacher meetings.
Attachments: 1. Summary of Int. No. 1438, 2. Int. No. 1438, 3. Memorandum in Support, 4. October 29, 2025 - Stated Meeting Agenda, 5. Hearing Transcript - Stated Meeting 10-29-25

Int. No. 1438

 

By Council Members Louis, Marte, Hanif, De La Rosa, Feliz and Stevens

 

A Local Law to amend the administrative code of the city of New York, in relation to the use of safe time for parental involvement in school-related events

 

Be it enacted by the Council as follows:

 

Section 1. Section 20-912 of the administrative code of the city of New York is amended by adding new definitions of “school” and “school-related event” in alphabetical order to read as follows:

School. The term “school” means any public or private pre-kindergarten program, elementary, or secondary school, licensed child-care facility, or education facility within New York City.

School-related event. The term “school-related event” means an event related to a child’s academic achievement or to the pursuit of educational services and programs, including but not limited to, a parent-teacher meeting, a disciplinary proceeding, an individualized education plan meeting, a class presentation, a parent workshop or an interview for a new school.

§ 2. Subdivision b of section 20-914, as amended by local law number 97 for the year 2020, is amended to read as follows: 

b. Safe time.

1. An employee shall be entitled to use safe time for absence from work due to any of the following reasons:

(a) when the employee or employee's family member has been the victim of domestic violence pursuant to subdivision [thirty-four] 34 of section [two hundred ninety-two] 292 of the executive law, a family offense matter, sexual offense, stalking, or human trafficking:

[(a)] (1) to obtain services from a domestic violence shelter, rape crisis center, or other shelter or services program for relief from a family offense matter, sexual offense, stalking, or human trafficking;

[(b)] (2) to participate in safety planning, temporarily or permanently relocate, or take other actions to increase the safety of the employee or employee's family members from future family offense matters, sexual offenses, stalking, or human trafficking;

[(c)] (3) to meet with a civil attorney or other social service provider to obtain information and advice on, and prepare for or participate in any criminal or civil proceeding, including but not limited to, matters related to a family offense matter, sexual offense, stalking, human trafficking, custody, visitation, matrimonial issues, orders of protection, immigration, housing, discrimination in employment, housing or consumer credit;

[(d)] (4) to file a complaint or domestic incident report with law enforcement;

[(e)] (5) to meet with a district attorney's office;

[(f)] (6) to enroll children in a new school; or

[(g)] (7) to take other actions necessary to maintain, improve, or restore the physical, psychological, or economic health or safety of the employee or the employee's family member or to protect those who associate or work with the employee.

(b) to attend or participate in any school-related events related to the employee’s child if such events cannot be reasonably scheduled during non-work hours.

2. For an absence of more than [three] 3 consecutive work days for safe time, an employer may require reasonable documentation that the use of safe time was authorized by this subdivision. For safe time used pursuant to this subdivision, documentation signed by an employee, agent, or volunteer of a victim services organization, school or care provider, an attorney, a member of the clergy, or a medical or other professional service provider from whom the employee or that employee's family member has sought assistance in addressing domestic violence, family offense matters, sex offenses, stalking, or human trafficking and their effects; a police or court record; or a notarized letter from the employee explaining the need for such time shall be considered reasonable documentation and an employer shall not require that such documentation specify the details of the domestic violence, family offense matter, sexual offense, stalking, or human trafficking. An employer shall reimburse an employee for all reasonable costs or expenses incurred for the purpose of obtaining such documentation for an employer.

§ 3. This local law takes effect 120 days after it becomes law.

SS

LS #19615

9/5/25