Provides that members of N.Y. city community boards need only be 16 years of age to be appointed to such board

Title of bill

An act to amend the public officers law and the New York city charter, in relation to allowing certain individuals to become members of community boards in the city of New York

Purpose or general idea of bill

Lowers the minimum age for appointment to a community board in New York City from eighteen to sixteen.

Summary of specific provisions

Section one amends subdivision 1 of section 3 of the public officers law to add community boards in New York City to the list of boards and commissions for which the minimum age for appointees is sixteen rather than eighteen.

Section two amends subdivision a of section 2800 of the New York City Charter to specify that no more than two of the fifty members of any community board shall be less than 18 years of age.

Section three specifies this act's effective date.

Justification

Community boards are intended to represent a diverse range of perspectives on the issues that come before them. Many of these boards have active youth committees that address issues of concern to youth in the community. Community boards also represent an opportunity for citizens of all ages to engage in civic discourse and serve their communities. Many sixteen- and seventeen-year-olds are ready, willing, and able to participate as full community board members in these activities, and the law should not categorically deny them the opportunity to do so. Rather, sixteen- and seventeen-year-olds should be permitted to apply for community board membership and their ability to contribute should be evaluated, just as other prospective members' qualifications are evaluated.

Prior legislative history

2008: A10439 (Kavanagh)

Fiscal implications

None.

Effective date

This act shall take effect on the thirtieth day after it shall have become a law.