New York City Council
Committee on Consumer and Worker Protection
Feb 29, 2024
·
10:00 AM
1 hr 9 min
Summary
A hearing on discrimination in financial services and its impact on people of color, access to credit, consumer protection against predatory lending practices, and legislation to combat discrimination and increase transparency in financial practices. Features testimony from the Commission on Human Rights and the Department of Consumer and Worker Protection."
Meeting chapters
Read summaries and watch videos for short segments that matter to you.
Nantasha M. Williams, Chair of the Committee on Civil and Human Rights, on discrimination in financial services
Council Member Nantasha M. Williams addresses discrimination in financial services during a committee meeting, focusing on its impact on people of color. - Williams highlights the historic and ongoing barriers …
0:00:50
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3 min
Julie Menin, Chair of the Committee on Consumer and Worker Protection, on access to credit and consumer protection
Council Member Julie Menin emphasizes the critical role of access to credit in achieving economic opportunity and wealth building, while warning against predatory lending practices. - Menin details how loans, …
0:04:06
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3 min
Public Advocate Jumaane Williams on prohibiting discrimination in credit issuance
Public Advocate Jumaane Williams advocates for bill 00401 against discrimination in credit issuance, emphasizing the need for transparency and equal treatment. - Thanks the chairs and members of the committee …
0:07:56
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153 sec
Lincoln Restler, Chair of the Committee on Governmental Operations, on Intro 69's impact on New York City's Human Rights Law
Council Member Lincoln Restler discusses Intro 69, spotlighting issues around employees unknowingly waiving rights under New York City's Human Rights Law. - Expresses gratitude towards Chair Williams for the hearing …
0:10:41
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3 min
JoAnn Kamuf Ward, Deputy Commissioner of Policy and External Affairs, Commission on Human Rights on Addressing Discrimination and Advancing Equity
JoAnn Kamuf Ward presents the Commission on Human Rights' efforts in combating discrimination in employment, housing, public accommodations, and access to credit. - Discusses the commission's dual mandate and its …
0:15:22
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7 min
Carlos Ortiz, Commissioner of External Affairs, Department of Consumer and Worker Protection on Enhancing Economic Lives of New Yorkers
Carlos Ortiz details the Department of Consumer and Worker Protection's efforts to enhance the economic well-being of New Yorkers. - Ortiz outlines the department's mission to protect New Yorkers' economic …
0:22:44
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3 min
What challenges does CCHR face in implementing and enforcing Intro 401, and how does it plan on conducting outreach and education?
The Citizens Commission on Human Rights (CCHR) anticipates challenges in testing for discrimination and conducting outreach due to existing laws and the complexity of financial products. - CCHR is analyzing …
0:26:44
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6 min
Would the Department of Consumer and Worker Protection and the Commission on Human Rights consider coordinating on financial and lending education and outreach?
The Department of Consumer and Worker Protection (DCWP) and the Commission on Human Rights (CCHR) collaborate on education and outreach, sharing expertise to enhance public knowledge on rights and protections. …
0:33:14
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61 sec
Are there complaints related to discriminatory lending practices that feed into other discrimination cases?
The Deputy Commissioner explains that while complaints might not directly address discriminatory lending, they often intersect with issues like employment discrimination based on credit history. - Employment cases may involve …
0:34:16
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102 sec
What are the trends in discrimination and the impact of artificial intelligence on it?
The Deputy Commissioner addresses the challenge of identifying discrimination with the advent of artificial intelligence, highlighting its impact on lending and the importance of transparency. - Artificial intelligence (AI) makes …
0:36:20
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83 sec
How many complaints related to debt collection have been received in the last 5 years?
The Department of Consumer and Worker Protection does not have immediate access to the specific number of complaints related to debt collection agencies. - In general, the Department receives about …
0:37:54
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42 sec
Why has there been a significant decline in consumer complaints against debt collection and debt settlement companies in NYC?
The number of consumer complaints against debt collection and debt settlement companies in NYC has significantly declined over a decade, raising concerns from Council Member Julie Menin. - In 2014, …
0:38:37
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131 sec
What actions have been taken regarding predatory auto loans?
Commissioner Ortiz discusses the Department of Consumer and Worker Protection's actions against predatory auto loans, highlighting $7 million in restitution and penalties from used car dealership investigations. - The city …
0:40:49
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78 sec
What has been done about the complaints against for-profit colleges?
The Department of Consumer and Worker Protection has taken action against Berkeley College but was unable to proceed against Mendel, New York Career Institute, and TCI due to lack of …
0:42:08
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3 min
What relief is available for consumers who complained about for-profit colleges?
Carlos Ortiz agrees to provide information on relief options for consumers affected by for-profit colleges and plans to check-in on related mediation work. - Julie Menin requests information on relief …
0:43:12
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26 sec
How many gender-related complaints were received last year, and why is the data not readily available?
Deputy Commissioner JoAnn Kamuf Ward commits to providing the number of gender-related complaints during the hearing after Council Member Julie Menin questions the data’s availability. - Deputy Commissioner Ward promises …
0:45:49
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50 sec
What are the greatest challenges in implementing and enforcing discrimination complaints, and how can transparency improve the process?
JoAnn Kamuf Ward discusses the challenges of implementing and enforcing discrimination complaints, focusing on resources, legal hurdles, and the possibility of improvement through transparency. - Resources, including financial and expertise …
0:46:45
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5 min
What are the agencies' concerns regarding the retroactive implementation of Intro 69?
Council Member Lincoln Restler discusses with Commission on Human Rights representatives the challenges and possibilities of implementing retroactive legislation to protect employees' rights via Intro 69. - Hillary Scrivani and …
0:52:42
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5 min
How does the Commission on Human Rights handle inquiries and complaints, and how many staff members are involved in the process?
The Commission on Human Rights receives around 12,000 inquiries annually, leading to 3 to 500 complaints, with 54 staff members supporting the process, including attorneys and interventionists. - Approximately 6,100 …
0:58:02
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4 min
How can NYC agencies collaborate to enforce protections for domestic workers?
NYC agencies are exploring collaborative measures to enforce protections for domestic workers and address overlapping cases. - The Commission on Human Rights and the Department of Consumer and Worker Protection …
1:02:13
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166 sec
What percentage of the 12,000 inquiries each year are ineligible for enforcement by the Commission on Human Rights?
The Deputy Commissioner of Policy and External Affairs at the Commission on Human Rights promises to provide detailed information on what percentage of inquiries are ineligible for enforcement due to …
1:05:06
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71 sec
What is pre-complaint intervention and how does it impact case closure rates at the Commission on Human Rights?
Pre-complaint intervention allows for resolving cases without a formal complaint, aiming to expedite resolutions and reduce legal processes. - Pre-complaint intervention occurs when it is deemed a time-sensitive issue can …
1:06:18
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123 sec