Governor Kathy Hochul Signs into Law Legislation Sponsored by Senator Sutton and Assemblyman Eichenstein to End Friday Evening Ticket Blitzes
New York State Governor Kathy Hochul has signed into law legislation sponsored by Senator Sam Sutton and Assemblyman Simcha Eichenstein, restricting the NYC Department of Sanitation from issuing tickets on Friday afternoons for residents who place their trash at the curb prior to 8:00 p.m. This bill marks a significant victory for Sabbath observant New Yorkers in neighborhoods where sanitation pickup occurs on Saturdays.
Last year, the NYC Department of Sanitation enacted a rule requiring residents to set out trash after 8:00 p.m., as part of an effort to address the city’s rat infestation. However, the policy failed to account for the needs of religious New Yorkers who are prohibited from handling trash during the Sabbath. Consequently, many residents faced steep fines simply for observing their faith.
According to Assemblyman Eichenstein, the Adams administration initially indicated that accommodations would be made for Sabbath observers on Friday afternoons, but those exemptions never materialized and local Sabbath observers were being ticketed on a weekly basis. As a result, Assemblyman Eichenstein partnered with State Senator Sam Sutton and advanced legislation prohibiting NYC Department of Sanitation from issuing summonses on Friday after 3:00 PM for setting out their trash. This legislation overwhelmingly passed in both the State Senate and State Assembly. This past Friday, Governor Hochul signed the bill into law, including a chapter amendment which will require local Community Boards to formally adopt a resolution requesting early Friday trash set-out in their neighborhoods.
“Everyone agrees that city regulations should work for the people, not against them, which is why this legislation was able to pass unanimously through both the Senate and Assembly,” said Senator Sam Sutton. “No New Yorker should be forced to choose between following city laws and religious ones. This legislation provides a clear, practical accommodation for Sabbath observance, without fear of fines or violations, and gives the power back to our local communities.”
“This legislation represents a hard-won victory for religious New Yorkers who simply wish to observe their faith without being forced to choose between their religious beliefs and avoiding a ticket,” said Assemblyman Simcha Eichenstein. “We successfully fought City Hall on this important issue, and as a result, residents in affected neighborhoods can breathe easier knowing they will not be issued a hefty fine simply for observing the Sabbath. I thank Senator Sam Sutton for partnering with me on this effort, and I thank Governor Kathy Hochul for recognizing the importance of this issue to our community.”
Multiple Community Boards in Southern Brooklyn have already indicated their intention to adopt resolutions requesting early Friday trash set-out. Months ago, Community Boards representing Boro Park, Midwood, Crown Heights, Mill Basin, and Marine Park wrote a letter to Governor Hochul formally requesting she sign this legislation into law. Once adopted, residents in these neighborhoods can breathe easier, knowing they will no longer be ticketed for placing trash curbside after 3:00 p.m. on Fridays. This legislative victory brings an end to a senseless and unnecessary ticketing blitz.
