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)