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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
PR- 110-05
March 28, 2005

MAYOR MICHAEL R. BLOOMBERG SIGNS LEGISLATION INCREASING SAFETY IN HOMELESS SHELTERS

Remarks by Mayor Bloomberg at a Public Hearing on Local Laws

"The first bill before me today is Introductory Number 408-A, sponsored by Public Advocate Gotbaum and Council Members DeBlasio, James, Perkins, Boyland, Brewer, Clarke, Comrie, Gennaro, Gerson, Jennings, Koppell, Liu, Martinez, Nelson, Palma, Quinn, Sanders, Seabrook, Stewart, Weprin and Speaker Miller.  This bill requires the posting or dissemination of signs and other materials in homeless shelters that relate to the reporting of child abuse and neglect and to proper infant sleeping positions.

"Intro. 408-A will increase awareness about child abuse and neglect and educate parents and providers about the dangers of co-sleeping and the importance of proper sleeping positions for infants. This bill requires the Department of Homeless Services (DHS) to post signs regarding the reporting of child abuse and maltreatment which must include descriptions of abusive or neglectful behavior and information on how an individual should report such incidents.  Signs must also be posted regarding proper sleeping position of infants.  These signs must be conspicuously posted in all Tier II shelters and any other facilities that shelter homeless families.

"DHS must translate all of the materials required under this bill into Arabic, Chinese, Haitian Creole, Korean, Russian and Spanish. In addition, DHS shall provide for training of shelter employees on instructing parents on proper infant sleeping position and arrangement. I would like to thank Linda Gibbs, the Commissioner of the Department of Homeless Services, for her collaboration with other city agencies and their efforts toward ensuring the health and well-being of our city's children, especially those residing in the shelter system. I would also like to thank the Council and the Public Advocate for their dedication and work on this bill."







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Edward Skyler / Jordan Barowitz   (212) 788-2958




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