Albany, NY – On Friday, June 7, 2024, New York State’s 2024 Legislative Session concluded, marking the end of Assemblymember Grace Lee’s first term in the New York State Assembly. This year, Assemblymember Lee fought to address the needs of Lower Manhattan residents by successfully passing legislation to improve public safety, safeguard public health, and uplift underserved communities.

“I ran for office to give Lower Manhattan residents a voice in government, and the landmark legislation I passed this year helps deliver on that commitment,” said Assemblymember Grace Lee. “These bills bring real, positive change to our district: local parents will no longer be helpless when their children are exposed to toxic brownfield sites, unbanked New Yorkers will have new opportunities to achieve financial security for their families, and minority communities will have enhanced protection from hate crimes. It is an honor to serve my community in the Assembly.”

The bills Assemblymember Lee sponsored and passed include:

Brownfield Technical Assistance Grant Act

Assemblymember Lee sponsored and passed the Brownfield Technical Assistance Grant Act (A7396) to give communities access to Technical Assistance Grants when a brownfield cleanup site is located near schools or daycare centers. This bill allows communities to get grants to fund technical representation during remediation processes, helping protect families from exposure to harmful toxins. Assemblymember Lee’s advocacy for this issue was inspired by her community activism opposing the unchecked development of a brownfield cleanup site across from her child’s school at 250 Water Street in the South Street Seaport.

Stop Hiding Hate Act

Assemblymember Lee sponsored and passed the Stop Hiding Hate Act (A6789), legislation that holds social media companies accountable for stopping hate from spreading on their platforms. Social media platforms have become a hotbed for the dissemination of harmful content fueling hate and violence in New York. This bill requires social media companies to publicly disclose how they are moderating harmful content, promoting transparency and accountability on social media platforms in New York.

Pro-Banking Act

Assemblymember Lee sponsored and passed the Pro-Banking Act (A9057) to mandate all state-chartered banking organizations, foreign banking corporations, and interstate branches in New York accept IDNYC as a primary form of identification. IDNYC is a municipal identification card for New York City residents that benefits members of vulnerable communities who cannot access other forms of ID. By ensuring IDNYC is accepted at banks and financial institutions, this bill helps individuals access critical financial services they can use to build financial security and invest in their futures.

Financial App Security Act

Assemblymember Lee sponsored and passed the Financial App Security Act (A9340) to require companies that offer peer-to-peer mobile payment services (such as Zelle, Venmo, and Cash App) enact security measures to protect consumers from financial fraud and theft. This addresses the rise in financial app thefts that has taken place in New York in recent years; most commonly, thefts involving an unauthorized user gaining access to an unlocked mobile device and stealing large sums of money or financial information. This bill mandates common-sense security measures, including measures often found in traditional banking like the use of a PIN number, to make it more difficult for peer-to-peer mobile payment applications to be leveraged to commit theft in New York.

Hate Crimes Modernization Act

Assemblymember Lee sponsored and passed the Hate Crimes Modernization Act (A8261) in this year’s state budget to strengthen New York’s hate crimes law and help law enforcement more accurately track, respond, and address hate crimes in New York. This bill updates New York State’s original Hate Crimes Act of 2000 to include 23 additional offenses, including Gang Assault, Sexual Abuse, and Falsely Reporting an Incident. It addresses the dramatic increase in hate crimes against minorities and other vulnerable communities in New York in recent years, including Asian, Jewish, Muslim, and LGBTQ+ New Yorkers. By enhancing New York’s hate crimes statute, this bill holds perpetrators of hate accountable for their actions, empowers hate crime victims, and fosters healing across communities in New York. With the support of Governor Kathy Hochul, this bill was passed as part of the FY 2024-25 State Budget.