Relates to modular construction work

• Democratic14
• Republican3

◆ The sponsor's argument

Why Jessica Ramos says this is needed

The use of modular construction in high-rise residential, commercial and institutional buildings (such as hospitals) in New York City is a recent phenomenon. While the Executive Law currently covers manufactured homes, and provides certain consumer protections, it is an outdated law, having been passed in 2005 to implement the federal Manufactured Housing Improvement Act of 2000, and therefore does not address NYC's current problem. Presently, modular construction is not subject to the same standards for plumbing, gas piping, electrical, and fire suppression work as construction done on site within New York City. This makes no practical sense and greatly increases the likelihood of code violations in such modular buildings. In 2014, the NYC Department of Buildings issued Buildings Bulletin 2014-003 stating that modular construction units must be certified either by NYC licensees or by a "third party" entity otherwise "approved" by the Department. However, there have been various instances of the third-party certification process failing, resulting in required repairs to such modular units by NYC licensees. To protect the public from potential safety and health issues, it is crucial that the actual work in these modular units be performed by NYC-licensed entities famil- iar with the applicable laws, codes, and rules of the City of New York. This change in the Labor Law assures that occupants of any modular building located in NYC are given the same level of protection as occu- pants of buildings completely constructed on-site.

This is the sponsor's own case for the bill, quoted from their memorandum. It is not Agora's description of what the bill does.