Int. No. 1498
By Council Members Restler and Gutiérrez
A Local Law to amend the administrative code of the city of New York, in relation to requiring agencies to use e-mail as the default method for providing official notices
Be it enacted by the Council as follows:
Section 1. Title 23 of the administrative code of the city of New York is amended by adding a new chapter 9 to read as follows:
CHAPTER 9
AGENCY ELECTRONIC NOTICE REQUIREMENTS
23-901 Definitions. As used in this chapter, the following terms have the following meanings:
Official notice. The term “official notice” means any form of communication from an agency to a member of the public that is legally required by law or regulation, or that relates to a pending determination, deadline, fine, fee, hearing, benefit, or right.
On file. The term “on file” means that an individual has provided a valid e-mail address to the agency.
23-902 E-mail collection and official notices. a. Agencies shall request e-mail addresses in all application forms, account sign-ups, and other communications where contact information is collected.
b. Each agency that collects e-mail addresses pursuant to subdivision a of this section shall, in consultation with the commissioner of the department of information technology and telecommunications, establish a system for e-mailing official notices.
23-903 Official notice requirements. a. Where an agency has an individual’s e-mail address on file, the agency shall send all official notices to that individual by e-mail. Additional methods of providing official notice, including physical mail, may be used but are not required unless otherwise mandated by law.
b. If an agency does not have an individual’s email address on file and is required to provide an official notice, they may send an official notice using that individual’s available contact information. This official notice shall include:
1. A statement encouraging the individual to provide an e-mail address for future communications; and
2. Instructions on how to provide an e-mail address to the agency, including a web link, phone number, or return form.
c. An individual may opt-out of e-mail notices by written request provided that they have given the agency alternate contact information.
23-904 Data protection. Each agency shall ensure that email addresses and digital communications are handled in compliance with applicable privacy, cybersecurity, and data protection requirements.
§ 2. This local law takes effect 180 days after it becomes law.
TIW
LS 12550
11/24/25 10:35 AM