Suffolk County, NY Article II Access by County Representatives

[Adopted 5-9-1989 by L.L. No. 14-1989 (Ch. 277, Art. II, of the 1985 Code)]

§ 438-11 Legislative intent.

A. This Legislature hereby finds and determines that single-room occupancies or emergency shelters located within the County of Suffolk are generally utilized by low-income populations who require unimpaired access to important agencies of County government, including social workers and representatives from the County Department of Social Services, for the delivery of necessary County services.

B. Therefore, the purpose of this article is to establish a requirement for the protection of occupants of single-room occupancies or emergency shelters through a program of information and access to social workers.

§ 438-12 Definitions.

As used in this article, the following terms shall have the meanings indicated:

EMERGENCY SHELTER

Habitable housing units of a permanent or temporary nature in which individuals or families may temporarily reside.

PERSON

Individuals; natural persons; partnerships; joint ventures; societies; associations; clubs; corporations; unincorporated groups of any members; officers, directors or stockholders or any kind of personal representative thereof, in any capacity, acting for himself or for any other person, under either personal appointment or pursuant to law.

ROOMING HOUSE

Any dwelling or that part of any dwelling containing one or more rooming units, in which space is occupied by three or more roomers who are not members of a single family.

ROOMING UNIT

Any room or group of rooms forming a single habitable unit used or intended to be used for living and sleeping but not for cooking or eating purposes.

§ 438-13 Posting of signs; right of entry.

A. Any person owning or operating a rooming house or emergency shelter within the County of Suffolk shall post a conspicuous sign in at least one major entrance to said facility containing phone numbers of the following County departments and/or agencies in bold print at least one inch in height on a contrasting background:[1]

	County Department of Social Services
	County Department of Health Services
	County Office for the Aging
	County Department of Consumer Affairs
	District Attorney
	County Police Department
	County Handicapped Services Agency[2]
	County Human Rights Commission
	County Department of Labor

[1] Editor's Note: Amended at time of adoption of Code (see Ch. 1, General Provisions, Art. IV).

[2] Editor's Note: Res. No. 443-2011, adopted 6-7-2011, changed the name of the "Office of Handicapped Services" to the "Office for People with Disabilities."

B. Any person owning or operating a rooming house or emergency shelter shall permit social workers or representatives employed by the County Department of Social Services to enter said premises to consult with residents of said facility upon demonstration of appropriate credentials establishing position of employment with the County of Suffolk.

§ 438-14 Penalties for offenses.

Any intentional willful violation of § 438-13 of this article shall constitute an unclassified misdemeanor and shall be punishable by a fine of up to $1,000 and/or six months in jail.