S T A T E O F N E W Y O R K
________________________________________________________________________
7287--A
I N S E N A T E
January 16, 2020
___________
Introduced by Sens. BAILEY, SKOUFIS, BIAGGI, KAVANAGH -- read twice and
ordered printed, and when printed to be committed to the Committee on
Housing, Construction and Community Development -- committee
discharged, bill amended, ordered reprinted as amended and recommitted
to said committee
AN ACT to amend the executive law, in relation to increasing the state
code enforcement powers of the secretary of state
THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK, REPRESENTED IN SENATE AND ASSEM-
BLY, DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS:
Section 1. Paragraph b of subdivision 1 of section 381 of the execu-
tive law, as amended by chapter 560 of the laws of 2010, is amended to
read as follows:
b. THE ADEQUATE number [and] OF STAFF REQUIRED TO MEET THE NEEDS OF
THE LOCALITY TO BE DETERMINED BY LOOKING AT FACTORS, INCLUDING, BUT NOT
LIMITED TO, POPULATION AND GEOGRAPHIC AREA,
B-1. THE qualifications of staff, including requirements that inspec-
tors be certified pursuant to this chapter,
§ 2. Paragraph c of subdivision 4 of section 381 of the executive law,
as added by chapter 707 of the laws of 1981, is amended and a new para-
graph e is added to read as follows:
c. [the] THE secretary may designate the county in which such local
government is located to administer and enforce the uniform code in such
local government. In the case of such designation, the provisions of
subdivision five of this section shall apply.
E. THE SECRETARY MAY PLACE AN OVERSIGHT OFFICIAL WITHIN A LOCAL
GOVERNMENT TO MONITOR AND ENSURE COMPLIANCE WITH THE MINIMUM STANDARDS
FOR ADMINISTRATION AND ENFORCEMENT OF THE UNIFORM CODE. THE OVERSIGHT
OFFICIAL SHALL BE A STATE OFFICER WITH EXPERTISE AND EXPERIENCE IN CODE
ENFORCEMENT AND OTHER QUALIFICATIONS DETERMINED BY THE SECRETARY TO BE
APPROPRIATE FOR THE POSITION. THE PLACEMENT OF AN OVERSIGHT OFFICIAL
SHALL BE FOR A PERIOD OF UP TO ONE YEAR AND EXTENDED AS NECESSARY AS
DETERMINED BY THE SECRETARY. LOCAL GOVERNMENT STAFF SHALL COMPLY WITH
ALL DIRECTIVES ISSUED BY THE OVERSIGHT OFFICIAL. OVERSIGHT SHALL
INCLUDE, BUT NOT BE LIMITED TO, RESEARCH AND DATA COLLECTION TO DETER-
EXPLANATION--Matter in ITALICS (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD13975-05-0
S. 7287--A 2
MINE THE NEEDS OF THE LOCAL GOVERNMENT IN ORDER TO ACHIEVE MINIMUM STAN-
DARDS OF CODE ENFORCEMENT, PROVIDING ASSISTANCE WITH CAPACITY BUILDING,
AND PROVIDING ASSISTANCE WITH RESOLVING COMPLAINTS.
§ 3. The executive law is amended by adding a new section 381-a to
read as follows:
§ 381-A. STATE CODE ENFORCEMENT OMBUDSPERSON. 1. DEFINITIONS. FOR THE
PURPOSES OF THIS SECTION:
A. "SECRETARY" MEANS THE SECRETARY OF STATE;
B. "CODE ENFORCEMENT" MEANS THE ADMINISTRATION AND ENFORCEMENT OF THE
UNIFORM FIRE PREVENTION CODE AND BUILDING CODE PROMULGATED IN ACCORDANCE
WITH SECTIONS THREE HUNDRED SEVENTY-SEVEN AND THREE HUNDRED SEVENTY-
EIGHT OF THIS ARTICLE AND THE STATE ENERGY CONSERVATION CODE ADOPTED IN
ACCORDANCE WITH ARTICLE ELEVEN OF THE ENERGY LAW, AND ANY LOCAL BUILDING
AND FIRE REGULATIONS ENACTED OR ADOPTED BY ANY LOCAL GOVERNMENT THAT ARE
IN EFFECT PURSUANT TO SECTION THREE HUNDRED SEVENTY-NINE OF THIS ARTI-
CLE; AND
C. "OMBUDSPERSON" SHALL MEAN THE STATE CODE ENFORCEMENT OMBUDSPERSON.
2. OFFICE OF THE STATE CODE ENFORCEMENT OMBUDSPERSON. A. THERE IS
HEREBY ESTABLISHED THE OFFICE OF STATE CODE ENFORCEMENT OMBUDSPERSON IN
THE DEPARTMENT OF STATE DIVISION OF BUILDING STANDARDS AND CODES, WHICH
SHALL BE HEADED BY THE STATE CODE ENFORCEMENT OMBUDSPERSON, WHO SHALL
CARRY OUT THE DUTIES ESTABLISHED IN THIS SECTION.
B. THE OFFICE OF THE STATE CODE ENFORCEMENT OMBUDSPERSON IS A DISTINCT
ENTITY, SEPARATELY IDENTIFIABLE AND LOCATED WITHIN THE DEPARTMENT OF
STATE DIVISION OF BUILDING STANDARDS AND CODES.
C. THE SECRETARY SHALL NOT ESTABLISH PERSONNEL POLICIES OR PRACTICES
WHICH PROHIBIT THE OMBUDSPERSON FROM PERFORMING THE FUNCTIONS AND
RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE OMBUDSPERSON, PURSUANT TO THIS SECTION.
D. NOTHING IN THIS SECTION SHALL PROHIBIT THE SECRETARY OF STATE FROM
REQUIRING THAT THE OMBUDSPERSON, OR OTHER EMPLOYEES OF THE OFFICE OF
STATE CODE ENFORCEMENT OMBUDSPERSON, ADHERE TO THE PERSONNEL POLICIES
AND PROCEDURES OF THE DEPARTMENT OF STATE.
3. STATE CODE ENFORCEMENT OMBUDSPERSON. A. THE SECRETARY SHALL APPOINT
A FULL-TIME OMBUDSPERSON TO ADMINISTER AND SUPERVISE THE OFFICE OF THE
STATE CODE ENFORCEMENT OMBUDSPERSON.
B. THE OMBUDSPERSON SHALL BE SELECTED FROM INDIVIDUALS WITH EXPERTISE
AND EXPERIENCE IN CODE ENFORCEMENT AND OTHER QUALIFICATIONS DETERMINED
BY THE SECRETARY TO BE APPROPRIATE FOR THE POSITION.
C. ANY ACTUAL AND POTENTIAL CONFLICTS OF INTEREST SHALL BE IDENTIFIED
AND ADDRESSED IN ACCORDANCE WITH SUBDIVISION SEVEN OF THIS SECTION.
D. THE OMBUDSPERSON, PERSONALLY OR THROUGH AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVES,
SHALL:
(1) IDENTIFY, INVESTIGATE AND RESOLVE COMPLAINTS THAT RELATE TO
ACTIONS OR INACTIONS OF A LOCAL CODE ENFORCEMENT PROGRAM. THE OMBUDSPER-
SON MAY, IN PURSUING ITS INVESTIGATION, VISIT ANY LOCALITY CONDUCTING
CODE ENFORCEMENT AT ANY TIME WITHOUT PRIOR NOTICE. LOCAL GOVERNMENT
STAFF SHALL COOPERATE WITH THE INVESTIGATION. THE OMBUDSPERSON SHALL
HAVE THE RIGHT TO INSPECT ALL ASPECTS OF A LOCAL GOVERNMENT'S CODE
ENFORCEMENT PROGRAM, VISIT ALL AREAS AND OBSERVE ALL PARTS AND ASPECTS
OF THE PROGRAM. NOTHING IN THIS SECTION SHALL BE CONSTRUED AS AUTHORIZ-
ING THE STATE OMBUDSPERSON TO ASSUME POWERS DELEGATED TO THE SECRETARY;
(2) PRESENT SIGNIFICANT COMPLAINTS TO THE SECRETARY REGARDING A LOCAL-
ITY'S FAILURE TO MEET MINIMUM STANDARDS OF CODE ENFORCEMENT, THE LOCALI-
TY'S FAILURE TO ADOPT RECOMMENDATIONS FOR RESOLUTION BY THE OMBUDSPERSON
AND ANY RECOMMENDATIONS FOR INTERVENTION BY THE SECRETARY;
S. 7287--A 3
(3) RECOMMEND TO THE SECRETARY POLICIES AND PROCEDURES FOR THE OMBUD-
SPERSON PROGRAM;
(4) RECOMMEND POLICIES, REGULATIONS AND LEGISLATION DESIGNED TO
ENHANCE CODE ENFORCEMENT;
(5) MONITOR THE IMPLEMENTATION OF POLICIES AND REGULATIONS OF THE
OFFICE AND OF THE RULES AND REGULATIONS OF OTHER STATE AND LOCAL AGEN-
CIES, AS SUCH MAY BE APPLICABLE TO CODE ENFORCEMENT;
(6) ADVISE AND ASSIST LOCALITIES WITH ADHERING TO MINIMUM STANDARDS
FOR ADMINISTRATION AND CODE ENFORCEMENT; AND
(7) REPORT TO THE SECRETARY THE STATUS OF COMPLAINTS ON A PERIODIC
BASIS, BUT NOT LESS THAN ONCE PER QUARTER. SUCH REPORT SHALL INDICATE A
COMPLAINT HAS BEEN RESOLVED AND THE MANNER IN WHICH IT WAS RESOLVED, THE
STATUS OF IMPLEMENTATION OF ANY RECOMMENDATIONS MADE BY THE OMBUDSPER-
SON, AND WHETHER THE OMBUDSPERSON RECOMMENDS INTERVENTION BY THE SECRE-
TARY.
NOTWITHSTANDING ANY OTHER PROVISION OF LAW, THE OFFICE OF THE STATE
CODE ENFORCEMENT OMBUDSPERSON SHALL HAVE ACCESS TO, INCLUDING THE RIGHT
TO INSPECT AND COPY, ANY RECORDS NECESSARY TO CARRY OUT ITS POWERS AND
DUTIES UNDER THIS SECTION, EXCLUDING THOSE PROTECTED BY STATUTORY PRIVI-
LEGE. CONSISTENT WITH APPLICABLE LAWS AND REGULATIONS, THE CONFIDENTIAL-
ITY OF ALL RECORDS AND DOCUMENTS OBTAINED MUST BE MAINTAINED BY THE
OFFICE OF THE OMBUDSPERSON;
4. ASSISTANT OMBUDSPEOPLE. THE OMBUDSPERSON, WITH THE APPROVAL OF THE
SECRETARY, MAY APPOINT ONE OR MORE ASSISTANT STATE CODE ENFORCEMENT
OMBUDSPEOPLE TO ASSIST THE OMBUDSPERSON IN THE PERFORMANCE OF THEIR
DUTIES UNDER THIS SECTION. EACH SUCH ASSISTANT OMBUDSPERSON MUST BE AN
ATTORNEY DULY AUTHORIZED TO PRACTICE LAW IN THE STATE OF NEW YORK OR
MUST BE VERIFIED AS HAVING CERTIFICATION AS A CODE ENFORCEMENT OFFICIAL.
5. COMPLAINT SUBMISSION. THE OMBUDSPERSON, IN CONSULTATION WITH THE
SECRETARY, SHALL DEVELOP A COMPLAINT PROCESS THAT PERMITS COMPLAINTS TO
BE SUBMITTED ELECTRONICALLY THROUGH THE INTERNET, OVER THE PHONE, VIA
FACSIMILE OR THROUGH REGULAR MAIL.
6. THE SECRETARY SHALL PROMULGATE RULES AND REGULATIONS WITH RESPECT
TO A COMPLAINT INVESTIGATION AND REVIEW PROCESS BY THE OMBUDSPERSON THAT
SHALL INCLUDE, BUT IS NOT LIMITED TO, THE FOLLOWING FEATURES:
A. UPON RECEIPT OF A COMPLAINT, THE OMBUDSPERSON SHALL DETERMINE
WHETHER THERE ARE REASONABLE GROUNDS FOR AN INVESTIGATION.
B. UPON COMPLETION OF AN INVESTIGATION, THE OMBUDSPERSON SHALL ISSUE A
REPORT DETAILING THEIR FINDINGS, RECOMMENDATIONS FOR RESOLUTIONS, AND
RECOMMENDATIONS FOR INTERVENTION BY THE SECRETARY, IF ANY.
C. SHOULD THE LOCAL CODE ENFORCEMENT PROGRAM DECLINE TO ADOPT ANY OF
THE OMBUDSPERSON'S RECOMMENDATIONS, THE OMBUDSPERSON SHALL NOTIFY THE
SECRETARY AND INCLUDE THE REPORT WITH ANY ADDITIONAL RECOMMENDATIONS FOR
INTERVENTION BY THE SECRETARY.
7. CONFLICT OF INTEREST. THE SECRETARY AND THE OMBUDSPERSON SHALL
CONSIDER BOTH THE ORGANIZATIONAL AND INDIVIDUAL CONFLICTS OF INTEREST
THAT MAY IMPACT THE EFFECTIVENESS AND CREDIBILITY OF THE WORK OF THE
OFFICE OF THE STATE CODE ENFORCEMENT OMBUDSPERSON. ACCORDINGLY, BOTH THE
SECRETARY AND THE OMBUDSPERSON SHALL BE RESPONSIBLE TO IDENTIFY ACTUAL
AND POTENTIAL CONFLICTS AND, WHERE A CONFLICT HAS BEEN IDENTIFIED,
REMOVE OR REMEDY SUCH CONFLICT.
8. REGULATIONS. THE SECRETARY, IN CONSULTATION WITH THE OMBUDSPERSON,
IS AUTHORIZED TO PROMULGATE RULES AND REGULATIONS TO IMPLEMENT THE
PROVISIONS OF THIS SECTION.
9. ANNUAL REPORT. ON OR BEFORE DECEMBER THIRTY-FIRST, TWO THOUSAND
TWENTY-ONE, AND ANNUALLY THEREAFTER, THE OMBUDSPERSON SHALL SUBMIT TO
S. 7287--A 4
THE GOVERNOR, THE SECRETARY OF STATE, THE TEMPORARY PRESIDENT OF THE
SENATE AND THE SPEAKER OF THE ASSEMBLY A REPORT AND MAKE SUCH REPORT
AVAILABLE TO THE PUBLIC:
A. DESCRIBING THE ACTIVITIES CARRIED OUT BY THE OFFICE OF THE STATE
CODE ENFORCEMENT OMBUDSPERSON DURING THE PRIOR CALENDAR YEAR;
B. CONTAINING AND ANALYZING DATA RELATING TO COMPLAINTS;
C. EVALUATING THE PROBLEMS EXPERIENCED BY TENANTS AND OWNERS;
D. CONTAINING RECOMMENDATIONS FOR APPROPRIATE STATE LEGISLATION;
E. DESCRIBING BARRIERS THAT PREVENT THE OPTIMAL OPERATION OF THE
OMBUDSPERSON PROGRAM;
F. DESCRIBING ANY ORGANIZATIONAL CONFLICTS OF INTEREST IN THE OMBUD-
SPERSON PROGRAM THAT HAVE BEEN IDENTIFIED AND THE STEPS TAKEN TO REMOVE
OR REMEDY SUCH CONFLICTS; AND
G. ANY OTHER MATTERS AS THE OMBUDSPERSON, IN CONSULTATION WITH THE
SECRETARY, DETERMINES TO BE APPROPRIATE.
§ 4. This act shall take effect on the one hundred eightieth day after
it shall have become a law; provided, however, that section two of this
act shall take effect on the sixtieth day after it shall have become a
law. Effective immediately, the addition, amendment and/or repeal of
any rule or regulation necessary for the implementation of this act on
its effective date are authorized to be made and completed on or before
such effective date.
