Int. No.
By Council Member Encarnación
A Local Law to amend the administrative code of the city of New York, in relation to wellness checks on older adults during certain weather events
Be it enacted by the Council as follows:
Section 1. Chapter 2 of title 21 of the administrative code of the city of New York is amended by adding a new section 21-218 to read as follows:
§ 21-218 Wellness checks on certain older adults during extreme weather events. a. Definitions. For purposes of this section, the following terms have the following meanings:
Code blue alert. The term “code blue alert” means a weather emergency notice that the city issues when the temperature, including wind chill, is forecasted to reach 32 degrees Fahrenheit or below between the hours of 4:00 p.m. and 8:00 a.m.
Code red alert. The term “code red alert” means a weather emergency notice that the city issues when the temperature is forecasted to reach at least 100 degrees Fahrenheit for at least 1 day, at least 95 degrees Fahrenheit for at least 2 consecutive days, at least 105 degrees Fahrenheit for any duration, or at least 95 degrees Fahrenheit for at least 4 consecutive days, between the hours of 12 p.m. and 8:00 p.m.
Heat-related emergency. The term “heat-related emergency” has the same meaning as set forth in section 30-116.
Older adult. The term “older adult” has the same meaning as set forth in section 21-205.1.
b. Protocol. The commissioner, in collaboration with the commissioner of emergency management and other relevant agencies as determined by the commissioner, shall develop and implement a protocol to conduct in-person and phone-based wellness checks during a code blue alert, code red alert, or heat-related emergency on older adults known to the department and any such relevant agencies as living alone for the majority of time or living solely with other older adults for the majority of time in their place of residence. In establishing such protocol, the department shall determine the frequency of such wellness checks during a code blue alert, code red alert, or heat-related emergency, and shall consider the resources available to the department and relevant agencies in conducting such wellness checks. To the extent practicable, wellness checks conducted in-person and via phone shall be conducted in the older adult’s preferred language.
c. Wellness check requirements. A wellness check conducted pursuant to the protocol developed pursuant to subdivision b of this section shall include a set of questions developed by the department to gauge an older adult’s well-being, a determination and report by the individual conducting such check to the department of the apparent well-being of the older adult, and a report on the conditions in such older adult’s place of residence, including the temperature in such residence, apparent presence and functionality of heating or cooling devices or equipment, and any concerns or signs of distress in relation to the well-being of such older adult as identified by the individual conducting such check.
§ 2. This local law takes effect 180 days after it becomes law.
CP
LS # 22909
3/31/2026 4:20 PM