What's happening
Writing a plain-English summary… Track this bill to get it by email.
Why it matters
Albany, before your first meeting.
Every bill that moved yesterday, summarized in a sentence and ranked by impact. The Albany Scorecard follows on Sundays.
Free. Unsubscribe in one click. Want alerts on specific bills? Create an account.
Who cares
Headline styles
Sponsors
No co-sponsors yet.
History
- Print number 678a
- Amend and recommit to cities
- Referred to cities
- Referred to cities
Full text
The text isn't available here yet. Check nysenate.gov.
Sponsor's memo
Title of bill
An act to amend the administrative code of the city of New York, in relation to the removal of raccoons
Purpose or general idea of bill
The legislation will require the New York City Department of Health to respond to requests for removal of raccoons upon outdoor public or private property.
Summary of provisions
Section 1 of the bill amends the administrative code of the city of New York by adding a new section 17-198-a that will requires the department of health to ensure the prompt removal of any raccoon from any outdoor public or private property upon receiving notice from a member of the public that a raccoon or raccoons have created a nuisance at such property.
The department of health will also be required to coordinate the humane release of raccoons with the department of parks and recreation, provided that the department deems the release poses no threat to public health or safety, in accordance with the rules of the department. Further, in conjunction with the department of parks and recreation, the department will be required to establish a program to spay or neuter all raccoons captured pursuant to this section prior to their humane release.
Section 2 provides for this act to take effect immediately.
Justification
Raccoons have become an increasing menace to residents of the city of New York and their numbers continue to rise. These animals are very industrious when it comes to foraging for food and create a health hazard as a result of breaking into locked as well as unlocked commercial and residential garbage bins and spread waste over wide areas in their paths. In addition, many of these animals are aggressive and have posed dangers to citizens and domesticated animals. This includes the spread of disease since these animals are common carriers of rabies, canine distemper and the very dangerous raccoon roundworm (Baylisascaris progonis).
At present, the city provides no assistance to property owners who find raccoons on their properties, unless the animals are reported as rabid. 311, as well as the Animal Care and Control, merely suggest that homeowners call licensed wildlife removal services or licensed private trappers which cost upwards of $250 and much more to remove a raccoon from a particular property.
Given the clear health hazard and danger to public safety presented by these animals, the Department of Health should be required to provide assistance to property owners who ask to have such animals removed.
Prior legislative history
2015: S.678 referred to Cities; 2013-14: S.453 referred to Cities; 2011-12: S.5865-A referred to Cities /A.8652-A (Hevesi) referred to Cities.
Fiscal implications for state and local governments
To be determined.
Effective date
This act shall take effect immediately.
Summaries, headlines and scores are AI-generated from the official bill text. How we score bills. Source: NYS Open Legislation.