File #: Int 0993-2024    Version: * Name: Creating lock change procedures in response to illegal lockouts.
Type: Introduction Status: Laid Over in Committee
Committee: Committee on Housing and Buildings
On agenda: 7/18/2024
Enactment date: Law number:
Title: A Local Law to amend the administrative code of the city of New York, in relation to creating lock change procedures in response to illegal lockouts
Sponsors: Sandy Nurse, Shahana K. Hanif, Gale A. Brewer, Chi A. Ossé, Alexa Avilés, Crystal Hudson, Chris Banks, Shaun Abreu
Council Member Sponsors: 8
Summary: This bill would require the Police Department (NYPD) to create a procedure under which NYPD officers can change the locks on the dwellings of people who have been illegally locked out of those dwellings to allow those who have been illegally locked out to return to their dwellings. The NYPD would be required to add such a procedure to its Patrol Guide. When NYPD officers change locks pursuant to such procedure, they would be required to provide new keys that open the new lock to all the dwelling occupants and to the landlord.
Indexes: Agency Rule-making Required
Attachments: 1. Summary of Int. No. 993, 2. Int. No. 993, 3. July 18, 2024 - Stated Meeting Agenda, 4. Hearing Transcript - Stated Meeting 7-18-24, 5. Committee Report 11/12/24, 6. Hearing Testimony 11/12/24

Int. No. 993

 

By Council Members Nurse, Hanif, Brewer, Ossé, Avilés, Hudson, Banks and Abreu

 

A Local Law to amend the administrative code of the city of New York, in relation to creating lock change procedures in response to illegal lockouts

 

Be it enacted by the Council as follows:

 

Section 1. Chapter 5 of title 26 of the administrative code of the city of New York is amended by adding a new section 26-529.1 to read as follows:

§ 26-529.1 Illegal lockouts. a. Definitions. For purposes of this section, the term “illegal lockout” means an instance in which a person who has legally occupied a dwelling for at least 30 days is forcibly removed or locked out of such dwelling without an order from a court of competent jurisdiction.

b. The police commissioner shall establish procedures under which the police department shall change the door locks on dwellings to allow lawful occupants to reoccupy such dwellings in cases where the police department has probable cause to believe that an illegal lockout has taken place.

c. When dwelling locks are changed pursuant to such procedures, the police department shall make reasonable efforts to identify all lawful occupants of the dwelling and shall provide a key that opens the changed locks to all such lawful occupants and to the dwelling owner.

d. The police commissioner shall add such lock change procedures to the police department’s patrol guide.

§ 2. This local law takes effect 120 days after it becomes law, except that the police commissioner shall take such measures as are necessary for the implementation of this local law, including the promulgation of rules, before such date.

EH

LS #16209

7/8/2024 12:30 PM