Bill > S01317

This bill enacts the New York City Department of Buildings Community Accountability Act, which aims to increase transparency and public safety in construction and building management. The bill requires the Department of Buildings to create more comprehensive public reporting systems, including maintaining and publishing detailed records of complaints, construction and building accidents, and enforcement actions. Specifically, the department must now keep and publicly post records of complaints about buildings, maintain a record of construction accidents resulting in serious injury or death, and provide biannual reports to community boards and borough presidents detailing violations, enforcement actions, and orders such as stop work orders and vacate orders. The bill also mandates that whenever dangerous conditions or vacate orders are issued, the commissioner must investigate and prepare a written report that will be made publicly available. The underlying motivation is to address the inherently dangerous nature of construction work, which has death rates four times higher than other occupations, and to promote greater accountability in building safety and code compliance. The act will take effect one year after becoming law, giving the Department of Buildings time to implement the new reporting and transparency requirements.

Government Affairs

https://www.nysenate.gov/legislation/bills/2025/S1317