File #: Int 2110-2020    Version: * Name: Providing training and education to small businesses on compliance with the americans with disabilities act.
Type: Introduction Status: Filed (End of Session)
Committee: Committee on Small Business
On agenda: 10/15/2020
Enactment date: Law number:
Title: A Local Law to amend the administrative code of the city of New York, in relation to providing training and education to small businesses on compliance with the americans with disabilities act
Sponsors: Ben Kallos, Margaret S. Chin
Council Member Sponsors: 2
Summary: This bill would clarify that the Department of Small Business Services (SBS) is required to provide small businesses with business services, including training and education, on the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Specifically, SBS would be required to make available informational materials customized for the unique needs of various types of small businesses, including those being formed, those in operation that are and are not the subject of a lawsuit alleging a violation of the ADA, and contractors that make physical modifications to properties to make them more accessible; as well as to help small businesses create a survey and plan for making their commercial spaces more accessible. The bill also requires SBS to include in their annual report a detailed description of the education and assistance provided to small businesses with regard to ADA compliance in the preceding fiscal year, the total number of staff who provided such education and assistance, and the total number of people who participated in the training and education provided by SBS related to ADA compliance.
Indexes: Report Required
Attachments: 1. Summary of Int. No. 2110, 2. Int. No. 2110, 3. October 15, 2020 - Stated Meeting Agenda with Links to Files, 4. Hearing Transcript - Stated Meeting 10-15-20, 5. Minutes of the Stated Meeting - October 15, 2020, 6. Committee Report 4/9/21, 7. Hearing Testimony 4/9/21, 8. Hearing Transcript 4/9/21

Int. No. 2110

 

By Council Members Kallos and Chin

 

A Local Law to amend the administrative code of the city of New York, in relation to providing training and education to small businesses on compliance with the americans with disabilities act

 

Be it enacted by the Council as follows:

 

Section 1. Section 22-1001 of the administrative code of the city of New York, as amended by local law 151 for the year 2019, is amended by adding a new term in alphabetical order to read as follows:

Americans with disabilities act. The term “americans with disabilities act” means chapter 126 of title 42 of the United States code, and any guidelines or regulations pursuant to such law.

§ 2. Section 22-1003 of the administrative code of the city of New York, as added by local law 156 for the year 2019, is renumbered and amended to read as follows:

§ [22-1003] 22-1004 Business services including training and education to small businesses. a. The department shall provide business services including training and education to small businesses regarding the following subjects:

1. Business operations, including the establishment and use of technological or other systems to deliver goods or services to customers efficiently, reduce costs, and maximize profits;

2. Marketing, including identifying market opportunities, preparing and executing marketing plans, developing pricing strategies, locating contract opportunities, negotiating contracts, utilizing public relations and advertising techniques, engaging in e-commerce, and retail merchandizing;

3. Compliance obligations, including education about regulatory requirements and assistance in understanding laws and rules applicable to small businesses including but not limited to the americans with disabilities act; and

4. Such other training and education as the commissioner may deem appropriate.

b. To provide the education and assistance regarding the americans with disabilities act as required by paragraph 3 of subdivision a of this section, the department shall:

1. Make available informational materials that serve the unique needs of the following types of small businesses:

(a)  Small businesses being formed;

(b) Small businesses that are operating, but are not the subject of a lawsuit alleging non-compliance with the americans with disabilities act;

(c) Small businesses that are the subject of a lawsuit alleging non-compliance with the americans with disabilities act; and

(d) Contractors that make physical modifications to properties to make them more accessible;

2. Help small business owners complete a detailed survey of their commercial property or business website to determine improvements suggested or required in accordance with the americans with disabilities act; and

3. Help small business owners develop a plan for making such improvements.

[b.] c. The department shall conduct outreach to the small business community in order to advertise such training and education.

[c.] d. No later than January 1, 2020, and on or before January 1 annually thereafter, the department shall submit to the mayor and the speaker of the council and post on the department's website an annual report regarding training and education offered to small businesses during the preceding fiscal year pursuant to this section. Such report shall include, but need not be limited to:

1. The total number of business services including training and education offered disaggregated by borough and whether such training and education was offered in multiple languages;

2. A general description of each business [services] service including training and education offered, with a specific description of the education and assistance provided in accordance with subdivision b of this section and the total number of staff who provided such education and assistance; and

3. The total number of people who participated in each business [services] service including training and education disaggregated by borough and by type of service, including but not limited to the services provided by paragraphs 2 and 3 of subdivision b of this section.

§ 3. This local law takes effect 90 days after it becomes law.  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

SJ

LS #13913

8/18/20