Section 900.
§ 900. Declaration of intent. It is hereby declared as the public
policy of the city of New York to promote equal opportunity and freedom
from unlawful discrimination through the provisions of the city's human
rights law, chapter 1 of title 8 of the administrative code of the city
of New York.
Section 901.
§ 901. The mayor may issue such executive orders as he or she deems
appropriate to provide for city agencies and contractors to act in
accordance with the policy set forth in this chapter.
Section 902.
§ 902. a. The New York city commission on human rights is hereby
established and continued.
b. The commission shall have the power to eliminate and prevent
unlawful discrimination by enforcing the provisions of the New York city
human rights law, and shall have general jurisdiction and power for such
purposes. It may, in addition, take such other actions as may be
provided by law against prejudice, intolerance, bigotry and unlawful
discrimination.
Section 903.
§ 903. The commission shall consist of fifteen members, to be
appointed by the mayor, one of whom shall be designated by the mayor as
its chairperson and shall serve as such at the pleasure of the mayor.
The chairperson shall devote his or her entire time to the chairperson's
duties and shall not engage in any other occupation, profession or
employment. Members other than the chairperson shall serve without
compensation for a term of three years. In the event of the death or
resignation of any member, his or her successor shall be appointed to
serve for the term for which such member had been appointed.
Section 904.
§ 904. Functions. The functions of the commission shall be:
a. to foster mutual understanding and respect among all persons in the
city of New York;
b. to encourage equality of treatment for, and prevent discrimination
against, any group or its members;
c. to cooperate with governmental and non-governmental agencies and
organizations having like or kindred functions; and
d. to make such investigations and studies in the field of human
relations as in the judgment of the commission will aid in effectuating
its general purposes.
Section 905.
§ 905. Powers and duties. The powers and duties of the commission
shall be:
a. to work together with federal, state and city agencies in
developing courses of instruction, for presentation to city employees
and in public and private schools, public libraries, museums and other
suitable places, on techniques for achieving harmonious inter-group
relations within the city of New York, and engage in other
anti-discrimination activities;
b. to enlist the cooperation of various groups and organizations, in
mediation efforts, programs and campaigns devoted to eliminating group
prejudice, intolerance, hate crimes, bigotry and discrimination;
c. to study the problems of prejudice, intolerance, bigotry,
discrimination and disorder occasioned thereby in all or any fields of
human relationship;
d. (1) to receive, investigate and pass upon complaints and to
initiate its own investigation of: (i) group-tensions, prejudice,
intolerance, bigotry and disorder occasioned thereby, and (ii) unlawful
discrimination against any person or group of persons, provided,
however, that with respect to discrimination alleged to be committed by
city officials or city agencies, such investigation shall be commenced
after consultation with the mayor. Upon its own motion, to make, sign
and file complaints alleging violations of the city's human rights law;
(2) in the event that any such investigation discloses information
that any person or group of persons may be engaged in a pattern or
practice that results in the denial to any person or group of persons of
the full enjoyment of any right secured by the human rights law, in
addition to making, signing and filing a complaint upon its own motion
pursuant to paragraph a of this subdivision, to refer such information
to the corporation counsel for the purpose of commencing a civil action
pursuant to chapter four of title eight of the administrative code;
e. 1. to issue subpoenas in the manner provided for in the civil
practice law and rules compelling the attendance of witnesses and
requiring the production of any evidence relating to any matter under
investigation or any question before the commission, and to take proof
with respect thereto;
2. to hold hearings, administer oaths and take testimony of any person
under oath; and
3. in accordance with applicable law, to require the production of any
names of persons necessary for the investigation of any institution,
club or other place or provider of accommodation.
4. in accordance with applicable law, to require any person or persons
who are the subject of an investigation by the commission to preserve
such records as are in the possession of such person or persons and to
continue to make and keep the type of records that have been made and
kept by such person or persons in the ordinary course of business within
the previous year, which records are relevant to the determination
whether such person or persons have committed unlawful discriminatory
practices with respect to activities in the city;
5. to issue publications and reports of investigation and research
designed to promote good will and minimize or eliminate prejudice,
intolerance, bigotry, discrimination and disorder occasioned thereby;
6. to appoint such employees and agents as it deems to be necessary to
carry out its functions, powers and duties: provided, however, that the
commission shall not delegate its power to adopt rules, and provided
further, that the commission's power to order that records be preserved
or made and kept and the commission's power to determine that a
respondent has engaged in an unlawful discriminatory practice and to
issue an order for such relief as is necessary and proper shall be
delegated only to members of the commission. The expenses for the
carrying on of the commission's activities shall be paid out of the
funds in the city treasury. The commission's appointment and assignment
powers as set forth in this subdivision may be exercised by the
chairperson of the commission;
7. to recommend to the mayor and to the council legislation to aid in
carrying out the purposes of this chapter;
8. to submit an annual report to the mayor and the council which shall
be published in City Record; and
9. to adopt rules to carry out the provisions of this chapter and the
policies and procedures of the commission in connection therewith.
Section 906.
§ 906. Relations with city departments and agencies. So far as
practicable and subject to the approval of the mayor, the services of
all other city departments and agencies shall be made available by their
respective head to the commission for the carrying out of the functions
herein stated. The head of any department or agency shall furnish
information in the possession of such department or agency when the
commission so requests. The corporation counsel, upon request of the
chairperson, may assign counsel to assist the commission in the conduct
of its investigative or prosecutorial functions.
To the extent possible under law, Friends of Devin Balkind for Public Advocate has waived all copyright and related or neighboring rights to New York City Administrative Code. This work is published from: United States.
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