NEW YORK STATE ASSEMBLY MEMORANDUM IN SUPPORT OF LEGISLATION submitted in accordance with Assembly Rule III, Sec 1(f)
BILL NUMBER: A1594
SPONSOR: Zebrowski (MS) TITLE OF BILL: An act to amend the public housing law and the real
property law, in relation to discrimination against owners of specific
breeds of dog
PURPOSE OF THE BILL:
This bill will prohibit certain housing organizations from discriminat-
ing against ownership of dogs based on the dog's breed, size or weight.
SUMMARY OF PROVISIONS:
Section 1 of the bill adds a new section 223-c of the public housing law
as it relates to prohibiting public housing authorities from restricting
a person occupancy based on a person's ownership of a dog of a specific
breed, size or weight. It will not restrict a public housing authority's
right to impose reasonable restrictions on the ownership of dogs,
regardless of their breed, size, or weight. They would be able to
restrict the ownership of dogs classified as "dangerous dogs."
Section 2 of the bill adds a new section 238-a of the real property law
as it relates to prohibiting landlords from prohibiting a person occu-
pancy based on a person's ownership of a dog of a specific breed, size
or weight. It will not restrict a landlord's right to impose reasonable
restrictions on the ownership of dogs, regardless of their breed, size,
or weight. They would be able to restrict the ownership of dogs classi-
fied as "dangerous dogs."
Section 3 of the bill relates to the effective date.
JUSTIFICATION:
Many housing organizations have banned ownership of dogs of specific
breeds, size or weight causing hardship on families. These types of
discriminatory policies reduce housing opportunities for families, limit
the adoption of certain breeds such as pit bulls and further the nega-
tive stigma against these dogs.
New York State law already prohibits municipalities from enacting breed
specific laws that restrict ownership. This bill would prohibit rental
properties and public housing authorities from having policies that '
restrict ownership of dogs that are a specific breed, size or weight.
This bill would not infringe a housing unit's right to restrict owner-
ship of all dogs regardless of breed or "dangerous dogs" as defined in
law.
Rousing policies should focus on preventing ownership of dangerous dogs
and irresponsible dog owners from their premises, not a discriminatory
ban on specific breeds. Bad dogs are a result of bad owners.
PRIOR LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:
A. 2065A of 2015-16,
A6949C of 2013-2014.
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS FOR STATE:
None.
EFFECTIVE DATE:
This act shall take effect immediately.
