NYC Council Passes Comprehensive Effort to Combat Hate, Including the Schools and Houses of Worship Access and Safety Act

Legislative package mandates transparency around NYPD response plans to protests that pose a risk of intimidation, obstruction, or injury, while fully protecting constitutional rights to protest

City Hall, NY - Today, the New York City Council approved the Schools and Houses of Worship Access and Safety Act, legislation that enhances public safety, transparency, and accountability by requiring the New York Police Department (NYPD) to develop and publicly post response plans to protests outside schools or houses of worship that contain the risk of physical obstruction, physical injury, intimidation, or interference.

The legislation is part of the Council-led Five-Point Action Plan to Combat Antisemitism, introduced in January, that also calls for new investments in Holocaust education and a community-based, city-supported security training initiative for Jewish organizations and institutions.

The legislative package comes amid a documented rise in antisemitic incidents nationwide and heightened concerns about safety around religious institutions in New York City. According to the NYPD, antisemitic incidents accounted for 57% of reported hate crimes in 2025, although only approximately 10% of New York City residents are Jewish. Jewish New Yorkers were the targets of hate crimes more than all other groups combined.

Legislation:

Schools and Houses of Worship Access and Safety Act

Introduction 1-B, sponsored by Speaker Julie Menin, requires the Police Commissioner to establish a plan to address and contain the risk of physical obstruction, physical injury, intimidation, and interference at places of religious worship, while also preserving and protecting the rights to free speech, assembly, and protest. The plan will include considerations for the NYPD to use in determining whether, when, and the extent to which security perimeters may be used to protect entry to, and egress from, places of religious worship, and communication with stakeholders, including the public, people seeking to assemble or protest, and affected religious leaders. The Police Commissioner will be required to submit a proposed plan and a final plan to the Mayor and Speaker of the City Council no later than 45 days and 90 days, respectively, after the bill's effective date. The final plan will also be posted on NYPD's website.

"I am immensely proud of the legislative package the Council passed today to combat hate, including my legislation to help protect safe access to houses of worship," said Speaker Julie Menin. "This is an urgently needed and carefully crafted bill that will ensure transparency, accountability, and community engagement in NYPD plans to respond to protests - three pillars to protecting both public safety and free speech rights alike."

Introduction 175-B, sponsored by Council Member Eric Dinowitz, requires the Police Commissioner to establish a similar plan as required in Introduction 1-B at educational facilities.

"Our students deserve to be safe, especially as they enter and exit their school," said Council Member Eric Dinowitz. "A school is a sacred space for learning, growth, and debate. We don't put up with bullies inside our classrooms and we should never allow bullies to interfere with students accessing their school building. The exchange of ideas is paramount to learning, while intimidation and harassment only seeks to instill fear. That is why I introduced 175-B, the Safe Access to Education Law. This legislation establishes a clear framework to ensure that access to schools is not impeded by intimidation, interference, or obstruction. It brings greater transparency and accountability to how these situations are addressed. I thank Speaker Julie Menin for her steadfast support and look forward to this law's implementation."

Introduction 22-A, sponsored by Majority Leader Shaun Abreu, requires the Department of Education (DOE) to distribute materials to middle and high school students annually, beginning September 30, 2026, regarding the risks and dangers associated with social media for youth, including the risks of online bullying, harassment, discrimination, misinformation, and disinformation, as well as how to prevent or mitigate these harms. The materials will be age-appropriate and updated annually to reflect changes in information and best practices, and will also be posted online.

"Our kids are navigating platforms designed to keep them scrolling, not to keep them safe," said Majority Leader Shaun Abreu. "From cyberbullying to online harassment to misinformation that fuels hate and division, the risks are real and our students are dealing with them every single day. I'm proud to sponsor a bill that will ensure every middle and high school student in New York City receives age-appropriate information on these dangers and real tools to protect themselves. Right now, we're asking kids to navigate one of the most powerful forces in their lives with almost no guardrails. It's time to change that."

Introduction 297-A, sponsored by Council Member Virginia Maloney, requires an agency or office designated by the mayor, in consultation with the NYPD, to provide religious and nonprofit institutions with support in establishing and maintaining emergency plans. These plans shall include, but not be limited to, establishing protocols to address threats of violence and safely evacuate premises as needed.

"This package of legislation makes clear that hate has no place in New York and the Council will act to ensure New Yorkers can gather and worship freely, safely, and securely," said Council Member Virginia Maloney. "With the rise in targeted acts of violence against religious institutions, Intro. 297-A, which I was proud to introduce, will direct the City government, including the NYPD, to help our faith communities develop security protocols and emergency plans. This is a necessary, proactive measure to give our houses of worship the tools they need to keep New Yorkers safe."

Introduction 388-A, sponsored by Council Member Lincoln Restler, requires the Commission on Civil and Human Rights (CCHR) to establish a hotline to receive reports from the public regarding discriminatory harassment and unlawful discriminatory practices. CCHR will offer hotline users support and referrals as appropriate. Beginning September 2027, as part of its annual report, CCHR will be required to report the number of complaints and inquiries received by the hotline, disaggregated by area of jurisdiction, borough where the alleged incident occurred where the location can be reasonably determined, and the five most prevalent bases for discrimination related to religion, race, and national origin. These numbers will also be published on CCHR's website. CCHR will also describe how it informs the public about how to access the hotline, as well as how its outreach work is informed by hotline reports.

"We have seen a profoundly troubling rise in hate-incidents across the City - especially antisemitic incidents - and Intro. 388-A will establish a hotline at the New York City Commission on Human Rights for New Yorkers to report unlawful discrimination," said Council Member Lincoln Restler. "The reporting on these calls will allow us to more thoughtfully develop education and interventions to prevent hate and bias. I appreciate Speaker Menin's leadership on this issue."

Providing Counseling on Various Student Loan Forgiveness Programs

Introduction 177-A, sponsored by Council Member Harvey D. Epstein, requires the Department of Consumer and Worker Protection (DCWP) to create and run a program to provide individualized counseling to individuals about federal and state student loan forgiveness programs and other student loan repayment options.

"With 1 in 6 Americans carrying student loans, and millions already in default, too many people are struggling to make ends meet while navigating a confusing and often predatory system," said Council Member Harvey Epstein. "It's our responsibility at the city level to protect borrowers, particularly as the Trump Administration takes aggressive steps to dismantle student loan relief. That's why Intro-1077 is so important. By providing personalized counseling through the Department of Consumer and Worker Protection, we can help New Yorkers access the relief they're entitled to, avoid scams, and make informed financial decisions. If we are serious about protecting consumers and making this city more affordable, we must give people the tools to get out from under this crushing debt."

Declaring Women of Color in Tech Day

Resolution 359, sponsored by Council Member Farah N. Louis, declares March 24 annually as Women of Color in Tech Day in New York City in recognition of the contributions of women of color to the technology industry and the challenges they still face.

"Today, the New York City Council affirms that equity in the technology sector is not optional; it is essential to the future of our city," said Council Member Farah N. Louis. "By designating March 24 as Women of Color in Tech Day, we are creating space to elevate the achievements of women who have long been overlooked while confronting the structural barriers that continue to limit access to education, training, and leadership opportunities. This resolution is about visibility, accountability, and building intentional pathways into one of the most powerful economic drivers of our time. We cannot close opportunity gaps or strengthen our workforce if women of color remain excluded from industries that define innovation and economic mobility. New York City is taking a clear step forward in recognizing their contributions and committing to a more inclusive future."

Calling on Congress to Establish the Ratification of the Equal Rights Amendment

Resolution 360, sponsored by Council Member Virginia Maloney, calls upon the United States Congress to pass, and the President to sign, H.J.Res.80/S.J.Res.38, establishing the ratification of the Equal Rights Amendment.

"As we mark Women's History Month, we are reminded that progress doesn't happen on its own - it is driven by those determined to build a better world," said Council Member Virginia Maloney. "Today, the New York City Council takes a meaningful step forward by affirming a simple truth: equality under the law cannot wait. The Equal Rights Amendment has been ratified by 38 states, meets the constitutional threshold, and deserves recognition as the 28th Amendment. With Resolution 360, the Council will send a clear message that Congress needs to act now and finally enshrine equality in our Constitution."

Land Use:

DEP Newtown Creek CSO Tunnel - an application for site selection and acquisition approvals to facilitate the construction of stormwater infrastructure to improve water quality in the Newtown Creek watershed in the districts of Council Members Jennifer Gutiérrez, Lincoln Restler, Julie Won, and Phil Wong.

20 Berry Street - will facilitate the development of a 10-story office, retail, and light industrial building with over 10,000 square feet of publicly accessible open space in Council Member Lincoln Restler's district.

1727 Amsterdam - Hill Top Apartments - an application by HPD to facilitate the redevelopment of an underutilized, City-owned New York City Health + Hospitals (H+H) facility into a new nine-story, mixed-use building with 200 supportive and affordable housing units and community facility space in Majority Leader Shaun Abreu's district.

1325 Avenue of the Americas Text Amendment - will bring into compliance two existing open-air cafes and facilitate the addition of a new open-air cafe in the publicly-accessible galleria of a building in Council Member Virginia Maloney's district.

Allen Street Demapping - will facilitate the Department of Parks and Recreation's management of a future concession and the reactivation of a shuttered restroom in Council Member Christopher Marte's district.

Site selection for a new, approximately 754-Seat Primary and Intermediate School in Council Member Frank Morano's district.

An application by Le Dive for revocable consent to operate a sidewalk cafe in Council Member Christopher Marte's district. The Council will modify this application to limit the site plan to a maximum of six tables and 12 chairs.

Finance:

Preconsidered Resolution, sponsored by Council Member Linda Lee, approving a Revenue Modification that recognizes $3.1 billion in new City funds for Fiscal Year 2026.

Preconsidered Resolution, sponsored by Council Member Crystal Hudson, authorizes an amendment to the District Plan of the Fulton Street Business Improvement District (BID) to change the method of assessment upon which the district charge is based, and setting the date, time, and place for the public hearing of the local law authorizing a change in the method of assessment.

Appointments:

The Council approved the Mayor's appointment of Midori Valdivia to lead the New York City Taxi and Limousine Commission (TLC) and the Comptroller's appointment of Wayne G. Hawley to the New York City Conflicts of Interest Board (COIB).

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