New York State Assemblyman Simcha Eichenstein introduced legislation at the State Legislature that would amend a discriminatory NYC Department of Sanitation regulation that unfairly penalizes New York City�s Jewish community.

Last year, the NYC Department of Sanitation enacted a rule requiring residents to place their trash on the curb after 8:00 PM in an effort to combat the city�s rat problem. However, this rigid policy ignores the needs of religious New Yorkers who are prohibited from handling trash on Shabbos. As a result, many residents have been subjected to steep fines of $50-$300 simply for observing their faith.

�This policy is unacceptable and must come to end,� declared Assemblyman Simcha Eichenstein. �New Yorkers should not have to choose between their religious beliefs and avoiding a ticket.�

Assemblyman Eichenstein�s proposed legislation would prohibit Sanitation Department enforcement agents from ticketing New York City residents from 3:00 PM on Friday through 6:00 PM on Saturdays, thereby accommodating Sabbath observers as well as New Yorkers who wish to enjoy a weekend away from home.

�My legislation would put an end to this injustice by preventing the New York City Department of Sanitation from issuing fines after 3 PM on Fridays,� said Assemblyman Eichenstein. �This proposed law isn�t just for the Orthodox Jewish community � it�s for all New Yorkers. It affects anyone who wishes to leave town for the weekend and doesn�t want to return home to an unfair ticket.�

Assemblyman Eichenstein�s approach to this legislation is simple, �Nobody should be punished for taking out their trash at a reasonable time. This common-sense solution will prevent countless residents from being unfairly targeted. I am hopeful we can chapter this legislation into law and no longer inconvenience hard-working New Yorkers.”

Assemblyman Kalman Yeger, a co-sponsor of the legislation added, “This common-sense legislation will fix a problem that New York City has refused to address. It is impossible for Shabbos-observant New Yorkers to comply with the Department of Sanitation�s new trash setout times. In 2023, the Sanitation Department personally promised me that Shabbos-observant New Yorkers need not worry about being issued summonses on Shabbos. Unfortunately, that promise has not been kept. Assemblyman Eichenstein and I are stepping in with this common-sense bill that should not be necessary, but unfortunately is. I�m grateful for his leadership on this, and I look forward to moving this bill through the legislature.”

(YWN World Headquarters – NYC)