Mayor Adams Signs Key Bills to Boost Health Coverage and School Safety

During a public meeting on January 13, 2025, Mayor Eric Adams signed two important pieces of legislation intended to enhance health insurance access for city employees and bolster security measures in non-public schools. The newly enacted bills, Intro. 265-A and Intro. 532-A, aim to benefit both municipal workers and the students attending faith-based institutions.

The bill Intro. 265-A focuses on improving the health insurance enrollment process for city employees, effectively removing bureaucratic barriers that have hindered access to essential healthcare coverage (Source: https://youtu.be/uP3XY3W4I-M&t=36). Mayor Adams emphasized the necessity of ensuring that civil servants are supported, noting the need for streamlined systems to manage health insurance when employees transfer between various city agencies.

Intro. 532-A expands security reimbursement for non-public schools, enabling institutions with at least 150 students to receive funding to hire security guards. Previously, a program initiated in 2016 limited eligibility to schools with a minimum enrollment of 300 students, leaving smaller schools without essential security measures (Source: https://youtu.be/uP3XY3W4I-M&t=135). Joseph Rosenberg, Director of the Catholic Community Relations Council, stated that this change would significantly enhance safety for students, faculty, and staff in religious schools across the city (Source: https://youtu.be/uP3XY3W4I-M&t=201).

Multiple speakers at the ceremony highlighted the importance of prioritizing student safety in light of increasing societal challenges. One speaker noted the collaborative effort among different faith-based communities to ensure that all schools, regardless of size, provide a secure environment for learning (Source: https://youtu.be/uP3XY3W4I-M&t=264). This initiative aims to alleviate the financial burden on families while maintaining a focus on education.

These two legislative measures form part of the city’s ongoing commitment to making New York City a safer and more supportive environment for families and children. Mayor Adams affirmed that these laws align with the broader goal of enhancing the quality of life for residents through greater accessibility to health and safety resources (Source: https://youtu.be/uP3XY3W4I-M&t=68).