Page 8 - qt edition #49

PAGE 8 THE QUEENS TIMES THURSDAY, DECEMBER 4, 2025

NYC Council Passes Sweeping Legislation on Gender KCS announces $2 Million in State
Violence, AI Oversight, And Community Accountability Funding Secured by Senator John

The New York City Council said. “This package finally ends Resolutions on Housing, Health, C. Liu to Construct Elevator at
approved a wide-ranging package the chaos and gives New Yorkers and Rights
of legislation Tuesday, advancing the accountability they deserve.” The Council also passed sev- Bayside Headquarters
measures to strengthen protections Council Member Julie Menin eral resolutions urging state and
for survivors of gender-motivated added that the framework ensures federal action, including: (Continued from page 6) facilities can keep pace with the
violence, establish oversight of fairness and privacy: “As AI trans- - Freezing rents for seniors and ever-changing needs of our com-
artificial intelligence in city gov- forms decision-making, we cannot disabled New Yorkers enrolled in their facility and open the door to munity for generations to come.”
ernment, and expand transparency afford to move forward without SCRIE and DRIE. more seniors, children, and oth- Board Chair Danny Kim men-
across civic programs. proper oversight.” - Expanding Medicare to cover ers who require mobility support. tioned that “With this critical sup-
Restoring Justice for Survivors Expanding Transparency and long-term supports. Happy the Senate could support port, we can now move forward
At the heart of the session was Civic Engagement - Lowering eligibility age for Older the KCS mission with this capital with infrastructure improvements
Introduction 1297-A, sponsored Other bills approved included: Americans Act programs for indi- project and elevate their ability to that ensure KCS remains a sus-
by Majority Whip Selvena N. - Introduction 1241-A: Biannual viduals living with HIV. serve even more neighbors with tainable, welcoming, and fully
Brooks-Powers. The bill creates a reporting on the Department of - Increasing funding for Assertive new opportunities and improved accessible space for decades to
civil cause of action for crimes of Correction’s 6-A Work Release Community Treatment (ACT) accessibility while ensuring its come.”
violence motivated by gender that Program. teams.
occurred prior to January 9, 2022. - Introductions 691-A, 828-A, and - Incorporating mental wellness
Survivors whose claims were 829-A: Expanding STEM educa- into OSHA training.
previously dismissed due to tech- tion reporting and promoting civil - Affirming New York City’s com- New York Blood Center Opens
nicalities will now have a renewed service careers. mitment to reproductive rights.
pathway to pursue accountability. - Introduction 1216-A: Providing Land Use and Landmark Des- First-Ever Queens Donor Center in
“A single court decision should salons with posters on gender- ignations
not erase hundreds of cases or based violence services. The session concluded with Forest Hills
shield powerful institutions from - Introduction 441-A: Ensuring approvals for rezoning projects
accountability,” Brooks-Powers high school seniors receive voter in Brooklyn and Manhattan, new
said. “This legislation reopens the registration materials. shelter facilities, and landmark The New York Blood Center underscoring the urgent need for
door to justice.” - Introduction 1075-A: Training designations in the Garment Dis- (NYBC) celebrated a milestone donors.
Guardrails for Artificial Intel- civic boards and councils in leg- trict, alongside disapproval of Wednesday with the grand open- Speakers also highlighted
ligence islative procedure. mayoral appointments to the ing of its first permanent donor the lifesaving impact of blood
The Council also passed the - Introduction 1235-A: Creating a Board of Health. center in Queens, located at 107- donations, sharing stories from
GUARD Act, a landmark package centralized portal for Freedom of Summary: 10 Queens Boulevard in Forest recipients like Stacey Sottile,
establishing an Office of Algorith- Information Law requests. The Council’s November 25 Hills. who attended the event to put a
mic Accountability. Sponsored - Introduction 1004-A: Publish- session underscored its dual pri- The ribbon-cutting ceremony human face on the importance of
by Council Member Jennifer ing a list of wheelchair repair orities: protecting vulnerable New drew local leaders including maintaining a strong blood supply.
Gutiérrez, the legislation requires providers. Yorkers and modernizing city Queens Borough President Dono- Following the ceremony, at-
city agencies to meet compliance - Introduction 163-A: Establishing governance. From gender violence van Richards Jr., City Council tendees toured the new facility,
standards when deploying AI and accessibility guidelines for agency accountability to AI oversight, Member Lynn Schulman, and which will serve as a permanent,
automated decision systems. documents. the legislation reflects a push for Dr. Toni Eyssallenne of the NYC community-centered hub for
“For years, agencies were left to - Introduction 1049-A: Requiring transparency, fairness, and com- Department of Health and Mental blood donation. Media partners
guess their way through AI — no disclosure of preauthorization munity empowerment across the Hygiene. Community partners were invited to gather footage
standards, no oversight,” Gutiérrez holds at gas stations. five boroughs. and residents joined NYBC of- and speak with NYBC leadership
ficials to mark the launch of the about the center’s role in support-
Gillibrand, Hyde-Smith Statement On House Passage Of state-of-the-art facility, which ing public health.
Their Legislation To Support Victims Of Human Trafficking aims to make blood donation About New York Blood Center
more accessible in the nation’s Founded in 1964, NYBC has
U.S. Senators Kirsten Gillibrand those who escape their horrible arrest records they incurred while most diverse county. served the tri-state area for more
(D-NY) and Cindy Hyde-Smith circumstances from subsequently being trafficked vacated and ex- “This new center represents a than 60 years, delivering 500,000
(R-MS) released the following having to face criminal prosecu- punged, the Trafficking Survivors major investment in Queens and lifesaving blood products annually
statement on the House’s unani- tion, imprisonment, and related Relief Act would also: will strengthen the local blood to over 150 hospitals, EMS agen-
mous passage of the Trafficking problems finding employment and • Allow for an individual’s status supply for hospitals across the cies, and healthcare partners. As
Survivors Relief Act, which would housing. We urge our Senate col- as a victim of trafficking to be region,” said Andrea Cefarelli, part of New York Blood Center
enable survivors of human traf- leagues to pass this bill and get it to a mitigating factor for courts to Chief Operating Officer of Blood Enterprises, NYBC spans 17
ficking to have nonviolent offenses the president’s desk without delay.” consider when imposing a prison and Laboratory Operations at states and provides one million
that they were forced to commit Senator Gillibrand first intro- sentence for violent crimes. NYBC Enterprises. blood products to more than 400
vacated and expunged: duced the Trafficking Survivors • Require U.S. attorneys to The Forest Hills location is hospitals nationwide. Its Lindsley
“We applaud the House’s pas- Relief Act with a bipartisan group submit a report one year after NYBC’s sixth donor center in F. Kimball Research Institute is a
sage of our Trafficking Survi- of colleagues in 2016. She has enactment detailing the number of New York City and the first in leader in hematology and transfu-
vors Relief Act, which represents reintroduced the bill in every sub- motions filed under the law. Queens. Leaders emphasized sion medicine research, dedicated
a monumental step forward in sequent Congress, most recently • Ensure that grant funding the critical importance of blood to advancing treatments and cures
supporting victims of human with Senator Hyde-Smith in July provided by the Office for Vic- donation, particularly during the for blood-related diseases.
trafficking. This bill would help 2025. tims of Crime and the Office on holiday season when donations For more information, visit
stop a vicious cycle that leaves In addition to allowing survi- Violence Against Women can be often decline. NYBC reported nybc.org or connect with NYBC
trafficking survivors vulnerable vors of human trafficking to have used for legal representation for a more than 30 percent drop in on Facebook, X, Instagram, and
to further exploitation, protecting nonviolent criminal convictions or post-conviction relief activities. donations around Thanksgiving, LinkedIn.
Annual Tribute Dinner Raises Over $1.4 Million For State Senator John Liu Statement On
New York’s Most Medically Fragile Kids At St. Mary’s The Meeting Of The Gaming Facility
Healthcare System For Children Location Board

(Continued from page 6) healthcare. About St. Mary’s Healthcare
“We are incredibly grateful to System for Children: St. Mary’s State Senator John Liu stated gambling versus mass transit, pub-
and transformative projects. Tom everyone who joined us for this Healthcare System for Children the following about the Gaming lic schools, well-paying jobs, and
is actively involved in the com- year’s annual tribute dinner, and has been the primary provider of Facility Location Board’s decision parks and other infrastructure.”
munity, serving on the boards of to all who continue to support our long-term and rehabilitative care to grant three downstate casino Senator Liu stated last week,
several educational and charitable mission of providing the highest for New York’s most medically licenses. “I appreciate the passion with
organizations. quality care to our patients,” said fragile children since the 1870s. “Today’s meeting of the state’s which some advocates oppose
Other attendees included top Sean Lally, President and CEO St. Mary’s Healthcare System is Gaming Facility Location Board Metropolitan Park, but the pro-
executives from the construction, of St. Mary’s Healthcare System one of only a handful of organiza- caps off a 13-year process which posal recently won formal support
financial services, and real estate for Children. “Honoring leaders tions around the country that is began with New York’s voters from the Community Advisory
industries, along with other busi- like Tom Giordano highlights the dedicated to providing intensive approving a constitutional amend- Council unanimously, and also
ness leaders and philanthropists profound impact one individual can rehabilitation, specialized care, ment authorizing 4 upstate and has long been supported by the
who have shown dedication to have on a community, and together, and education to children with 3 downstate casinos. No doubt borough president, state assem-
supporting children with special we are helping to create brighter special needs and life-limiting voters understood the harms bly members, city council mem-
needs and advancing pediatric futures for the children we serve.” conditions. caused by gambling and casinos, bers, and all nearby Community
like harms caused by other state- Boards. It should be noted that
Read Our Paper Online licensed activities. Ultimately, the so-called ‘public parkland’ has
decisions in the voter referendum actually been contracted by NYC
Visit: www.queenstimes.com back then through today’s meeting as a concrete parking lot for over
Follow the Link to latest edition weighed costs versus benefits, a half-century and is obligated as
specifically those of casinos and such for at least the next 80 years.”