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Local law · Int 0132-2026

The terms “inmate,” “prisoner,” and “incarcerated individual” and other similar terminology as used therein

Official titleShow

A Local Law to amend the New York city charter, the administrative code of the city of New York, the New York city plumbing code, and the New York city building code, in relation to the terms “inmate,” “prisoner,” and “incarcerated individual” and other similar terminology as used therein

The heading above is this same sentence with its legal opening removed. No words were added, changed or reordered.

Latest action Jan 29, 2026

New York City Council

Sponsor

Tiffany L. Cabán

Council Member, District 22 · Democratic

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Summary

This bill would replace the terms “inmate” and “prisoner,” as well as “incarcerated individual,” with person-first language (PFL) such as “persons incarcerated” and “persons in custody” throughout the City Charter, the Administrative Code, the Plumbing Code, and the Building Code. PFL is a linguistic prescription that emphasizes personhood over status-saturated identifiers. This law would seek to eliminate conscious and subconscious dehumanization associated with the terms “inmate” and “prisoner.” Notably, this is a stylistic modification that does not impact the substance of modified sections.

Summary from NYC Council (Legistar). How we handle summaries

From the NYC Council's legislative record (Legistar) and official rosters. This record was last updated Aug 1, 2026. About our data

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Where it stands

Assigned to a committee for review.

  1. Introduced
  2. In committee
  3. Up for a vote
  4. Passed one chamber
  5. Passed
  6. Enacted

Committee

Committee on Criminal Justice

Cosponsors

Shahana K. Hanif, Farah N. Louis and 2 others

Cosponsors in the order the New York City Council lists them.

  • Democratic4

Shown in neutral colors by design; Agora is non-partisan.

Full history

  1. Jan 29, 2026

    Introduced

    This Introduction was Introduced by Council

    NYC Council

  2. Jan 29, 2026

    Referred to committee

    This Introduction was Referred to Comm by Council to the Committee on Criminal Justice

    NYC Council