2024-testimony

Human Rights

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2024 Testimony

2023 Testimony

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2024 Testimony

The Chair/Commissioner and other members of the New York City Commission on Human Rights senior staff periodically testify before the City Council on issues involving the Commission and the NYC Human Rights Law.

December 12, 2024

Before the Committee on Civil and Human Rights

Discrimination in the Workplace Oversight Hearing & Intros 808-A, 1064, 871, 982, and 984

Download full testimony of Deputy Commissioner of Policy and External Affairs JoAnn Kamuf Ward, December 12, 2024

May 2, 2024

Before the Committee on Women and Gender Equity and the Committee on Governmental Operations, State & Federal Legislation

"The Commission has long been committed to combatting sexual harassment through education and robust enforcement. Implementation of the Stop Sexual Harassment in NYC Act reinforced and amplified these efforts, by making six amendments to the Human Rights Law. The Commission works diligently so that New Yorkers understand their rights and can vindicate them through implementation of these amendments. I will now turn to some of these efforts."

Download full testimony of Senior Policy Counsel Hillary Scrivani, May 2, 2024.

March 15, 2024

Before the Committee on Civil and Human Rights & Committee on Finance

"I am excited to speak about the work our agency has accomplished over the past year...For over 80 years, the Commission has continued to work for a city where all New Yorkers can live, work, and thrive, free from discrimination. Our work arose from the need to address racial tension and disparities in the 1940s – work which remains central. Today, the New York City Human Rights Law is one of the broadest anti-discrimination laws in the country. The Law prohibits discrimination in housing, employment, and public accommodations and includes more than 25 protected categories. The Commission has a dual mandate. First, the Commission's Law Enforcement Bureau enforces the city's Human Rights Law. This includes investigating complaints of discrimination from the public, initiating investigations on behalf of the city, and conducting tests to identify potential violations of the Law. Second, the Community Relations Bureau offers workshops and trainings on the rights and responsibilities of New Yorkers under the Law. The Community Relations Bureau seeks to prevent discrimination through education and works closely with community partners, businesses, housing providers, and sibling agencies to achieve this goal."

Download full testimony of Commissioner and Chair Annabel Palma, March 15, 2024

February 29, 2024

Before the Committee on Civil and Human Rights & Committee on Consumer and Worker Protections

"Intro 401 seeks to address discriminatory lending by amending the City Human Rights Law to prohibit differential rates for loans and credit issued in New York City on the basis of several of protected categories. Intro 401 also requires the Commission to undertake a number of tests and investigations regarding discriminatory lending practices… [Regarding] Intros 242 and 279…the Administration supports a truth, healing, and reconciliation process, as well as a taskforce to study reparations but would like to see greater alignment between these efforts, extend their timeline, and ensure adequate resources and expertise are imbedded into any commission or taskforce that is developed to effectuate these goals… Intro 69 would render unenforceable and void any and all agreements that shorten the statute of limitations for filing a case with the Commission or filing a complaint in court, including agreements that are currently in place. The Administration supports the public policy aim of preventing coercive contract terms that contravene the rights of New Yorkers to pursue claims of discrimination within the time frames allowed by the New York City Human Rights Law."

Download full testimony of Deputy Commissioner JoAnn Kamuf Ward, February 29, 2024