New York State Assemblyman Simcha Eichenstein has introduced a bill aimed at correcting what he describes as an unfair regulation imposed by the New York City Department of Sanitation, one that has particularly burdened members of the frum community.
In 2023, the Department of Sanitation implemented a rule requiring city residents to place their garbage at the curb after 8:00 PM in an effort to reduce the growing rat population. While intended to help the city, the policy creates a major conflict for frum Jews, who are not permitted to handle trash on Shabbos. As a result, numerous individuals have received fines ranging from $50 to $300 simply for practicing their religion.
“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.”
Eichenstein’s proposed bill would shield residents from fines issued by sanitation enforcement officers from 3:00 PM on Fridays until 6:00 PM on Shabbosos. The bill is designed to respect Shabbos observance while also helping any New Yorker who travels for the weekend and cannot adhere to the current rule.
“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.”
He emphasized that the goal is straightforward: “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.”
Backing the measure is Assemblyman Kalman Yeger, who is co-sponsoring the bill. “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.”
{Matzav.com}