RyeCity REVIEW THE
July 1, 2022 | Vol. 10, Number 25 | www.ryecityreview.com
BOL approves Reproductive Health Care Facilities Access act
ON WITH THE SHOW Westchester County and White Plains Hospital are gearing up for their Screening Under the Stars program, which is set to kick-off at Kensico Dam on July 15. For more, see page 6.
County board passes measure to protect renters The Westchester County Board of Legislators is moving to protect renters in the face of the increasing dangers of flooding as a result of climate change. On Monday night, the board unanimously passed a measure to require property owners to disclose the flood history of a building prior to the signing of a lease with a tenant. The measure applies to both residential and commercial leases. Legislator Catherine Parker, who sponsored the measure, said, “In my district we’ve seen the devastating impact of climate change-related flooding, especially in the aftermath of Hurricane Ida. But the devastation cuts across the County—from the Sound Shore to the Hud-
son—and the danger continues as the number and severity of storms increase. This law will create transparency to protect renters—the way buyers are protected by disclosure requirements—and provide renters with a safety net by giving them a remedy to recover damages they may suffer if a landlord fails to disclose the flood history of the property they are renting.” Legislator Colin Smith, chair of the board’s Legislation Committee, said, “This law creates no special burden on property owners other than to tell the truth and be transparent about a property’s flood history, creating a fair and open playing field for renters. It will protect both renters and property owners, who can be assured that they will not be liable for any damages as a result of failing to disclose a
property’s propensity for flooding.” Legislator Tyrae Woodson-Samuels, chair of the board’s Housing Committee, said, “The impact of flooding can be severe and sudden— as we saw recently in my home town of Mount Vernon. But the potential for future flooding can lurk unseen in the months and years between storms. Unfortunately, that doesn’t make the threat less dangerous or devastating to life and property, when floods do come, and we know it is happening more and more frequently due to climate change. Renters deserve to know if a property they’re considering is prone to flooding so they can make fully informed decisions about leasing. I thank Legislator Parker
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On Monday, the Westchester County Board of Legislators voted to approve a law ensuring safe access to reproductive health care facilities. The measure passed by a 15-2 vote. Westchester County Executive George Latimer signed the act into law immediately after its approval by the board. The new law, which takes effect immediately, will protect health care workers and patients seeking medical treatment from being obstructed from entering or exiting a reproductive health care facility and from harassing behavior from persons within specific distances of the premises. It enacts a 25-foot no-harassment zone around the facility’s perimeter and establishes the designation of an 8-foot personal space bubble surrounding the person within 100 feet of the facility. As the nation reels from the Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization decision that overturned Roe v. Wade, the need to codify stronger anti-harassment legislation for reproductive health patients, providers and staff while preserving the free speech of legitimate protestors is more critical now than ever. The decision will likely result in an increase of out-of-state residents seeking reproductive health care and, conversely, an increase in anti-choice protesting. Chairwoman Catherine Borgia, one of the original sponsors said, “Women will be looking to New York for sanctuary to reclaim their bodily autonomy, and we want
to say Westchester is ready. Any person who travels to our County seeking reproductive care can access it safely without intimidation or provocation. I hope other counties can see the urgency and importance of this law and consider it for their jurisdictions, as well.” Legislator MaryJane Shimsky, main sponsor of the bill, said, “The road to getting this act passed was very long and arduous. However, it’s led us to a strong, well-balanced piece of legislation that safeguards the rights of patients to receive their care without infringing on protected free speech. I am more than happy to finally see that hard work come to fruition. I thank our County Executive George Latimer for his unwavering support and understanding that this bill could not wait another minute without being signed.” Majority Leader Christopher Johnson said, “As Americans, we are founded on the beliefs and principles that we are a society with inherent rights and freedoms. We are free to live, worship, and speak as long as we remain peaceful and law-abiding. This bill mutually protects and respects one’s right to privacy, right to choose, and right to protest equally and fairly.” “We want to protect the women who need these services from aggressive advocacy that exceeds free speech and becomes intimidation and interference with their personal safety,” added County Executive George Latimer.
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