Int. No. 440
By Council Members Won, Menin, Gutiérrez, Hanif, Brewer, Louis, Joseph, Ung, Nurse, Schulman, Velázquez, Krishnan, Sanchez, Abreu and Restler
A Local Law to amend the New York city charter, in relation to a program to provide public access to wireless networks
Be it enacted by the Council as follows:
Section 1. Section 15 of the New York city charter, as amended by local law number 14 for the year 2022, is amended by adding a new subdivision l to read as follows:
l. 1. The office of operations shall coordinate with the department of citywide administrative services, the office of cyber command and the department of information technology and telecommunications to establish a program whereby city agencies provide wireless network access for the public to utilize the internet.
2. No later than October 1, 2022, and annually thereafter, the office of operations shall coordinate with the department of citywide administrative services, the office of cyber command and the department of information technology and telecommunications, to submit a report to the mayor and the speaker of the council on wireless networks used by city agencies. Such report shall include, but need not be limited to, the following information:
(a) A list of the city agencies that are capable of providing secure wireless network access to the public, according to the most recent wireless network security standards established by the office of cyber command;
(b) A list of the city agencies that are capable of providing secure wireless network access to the public, according to the most recent wireless network security standards established by the office of cyber command, and are able to provide space in a publicly accessible area for individuals to use such secure wireless network access;
(c) The locations of the buildings or areas where such space in a publicly accessible area can be provided; and
(d) Any updates to wireless network security standards established by the office of cyber command.
3. No later than December 1, 2022, and annually thereafter, each agency that has been identified as capable of providing secure wireless network access to the public, and is able to provide space in a publicly accessible area for individuals to use such secure wireless network access pursuant to subparagraph (b) of paragraph 2, shall submit a plan to the office of operations to provide public access to such agency’s secure wireless network. Such plan shall include the following information:
(a) At least one location in a publicly accessible area that can be used by individuals to access the agency’s secure wireless network;
(b) The steps the agency will take to ensure the wireless network connection is secure and accessible;
(c) Any changes or updates that have been or will be made to the agency’s wireless network that could impact its security or accessibility; and
(d) Any obstacles to providing public access to the wireless network used by the agency.
4. The office of operations, in coordination with the department of citywide administrative services, the office of cyber command and the department of information technology and telecommunications, shall review each plan submitted by an agency, and shall submit a finalized plan to each such agency including any modifications that such offices or department deems necessary. No later than 60 days after receiving such a finalized plan, each agency shall implement such plan to provide wireless network access to the public.
5. Each agency that has been identified as capable of providing secure wireless network access to the public, and is able to provide space in a publicly accessible area for individuals to use such secure wireless network access pursuant to subparagraph (b) of paragraph 2, shall provide public access to such agency wireless network, free of charge, provided that such network meets the most recent wireless security standards established by the office of cyber command. Each agency shall make such space available for public use in accordance with the rules promulgated by the office of operations.
6. The following information shall be posted to the office of operations website and on the city’s official website:
(a) A list of the locations of city agencies that provide wireless network access to the public;
(b) Information on how to properly and safely connect to a secure wireless network;
(c) Information on how to address common technical issues that may arise when trying to connect to a wireless network; and
(d) Rules and regulations for individuals to connect to a wireless network provided by an agency.
7. The city shall not be liable for any damages resulting from connection to any agency’s wireless network, including, but not limited to, damage to equipment, breach of security, or loss of data.
§ 2. This local law takes effect 30 days after it becomes law, except that the director of the office of operations shall take such actions as are necessary to implement this local law, including the promulgation of rules, before such date.
JEF
LS #6821/6858
4/14/22 10:45am