Requires all agencies of the city of New York which issue summons to document violations with photographic evidence when feasible

◆ The sponsor's argument

Why the sponsor says this is needed

In the interest of promoting transparency and justice, this legislation seeks to provide both New York City residents and New York City enforce- ment agencies with the necessary tools to document administrative violations as they occur. All agencies issuing summonses that are review by the New York City Office of Administrative Trials and Hearings (OATH) would be required to undergo an analysis of violations that could be proven through the use of photographic evidence. Agencies would then develop a list of violations that could be proven in this manner, and require enforcement officers to document the substance of a summons through use of photographic evidence. In circumstances where the captur- ing of photographic evidence for these violations is impracticable, enforcement officers would be required to indicate the reason why on the face of an issued summons. Furthermore, OATH would be required to include collected photographic evidence relating to a summons on their existing website, giving respondents the ability to quickly ascertain the nature of the evidence against them. This process would allow respondents the ability to wage a more effective appeal against a faulty summons, while also safeguarding the City's interests when a valid summons has been issued for a violation. By implementing the mandatory use of photographic evidence on summonses for which it is feasible to do so, the cost and burden associated with addressing violations based upon insufficient evidence will be lessened for both respondents and the City.

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.