City Council votes to expand rapid STI testing, require transparency on dress codes

The City Council on July 18 passed multiple pieces of legislation, including a bill to expand the city’s rapid STI testing locations and a separate effort calling for greater transparency on school dress codes in New York City in light of concerns that existing policies have had a disproportionately negative impact on LGBTQ students and students of color.

The legislative effort to improve rapid STI testing infrastructure in New York City would require the city’s Department of Health and Mental Hygiene to offer rapid STI services in at least four of the city’s five boroughs. The Department of Health would determine the locations of the rapid testing sites and report back to the Council on the justification behind those particular spots, according to the City Council. The Department of Health would lead an awareness campaign to inform community members about the locations and availability of those sites. The city would need to return to the Council every three years to report on the availability of rapid STI testing.