L.L. 2012/036

Enactment date: 6/22/2012

Int. No. 725-A

By Council Members Ferreras, Vacca, Barron, Brewer, Cabrera, Comrie, Dickens, Fidler, Foster, James, Koslowitz, Lander, Levin, Mark-Viverito, Palma, Recchia, Reyna, Rose, Sanders Jr., Van Bramer, Williams, Wills, Jackson, Lappin, Vallone, Rodriguez, Dromm, Garodnick, Chin, Arroyo, Koppell, Koo, Gennaro, Mealy and Ulrich

A Local Law to amend the administrative code of the city of New York, in relation to using a vehicle licensed by the taxi and limousine commission to facilitate sex trafficking.

Be it enacted by the Council as follows:

Section 1. Legislative Intent. The Council finds that sex trafficking is a problem in New York City, and that some drivers in the City, including some who are licensed by the Taxi and Limousine Commission (TLC), knowingly use TLC licensed vehicles to facilitate sex trafficking. More specifically, some drivers knowingly engage in a business of transporting individuals to patrons for purposes of prostitution, procuring and/or soliciting patrons for the prostitution, and receiving proceeds from such business in collaboration with traffickers and pimps. It is therefore necessary to combat this activity by establishing penalties against those who are misusing TLC licenses in this manner and by requiring those who hold or are obtaining TLC licenses to become informed about the laws governing sex trafficking and promoting prostitution. It is not the Council's intent to penalize TLC-licensed drivers for lawfully accepting a fare or for failing to investigate illegal activities that may be occurring within their vehicle without their knowledge.

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[Consolidated provisions are not included in this Appendix A]

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§ 5. This local law shall take effect ninety days after its enactment into law, except that the taxi and limousine commission shall take all necessary action, including the promulgation of rules, prior to such effective date.