New York City’s consumer protection agency proposes penalties of up to $2000 to enforce the Fairness in Apartment Rental Expenses Act. Editor’s warning: mentions of violence and death.

Happening in the World: Pope Francis, the Catholic Church’s first Latin American pontiff who charmed the world with his humble style and concern for the poor, has died at 88, as announced by Cardinal Kevin Farrell, the Vatican camerlengo. The cause of death was not shared. (AP) 

Happening in the US: Transit police in Boston were investigating a shooting on a subway platform at Harvard University on Sunday that prompted the school to issue a shelter-in-place order for students and staff. Authorities temporarily rerouted passengers on part of the city’s subway system to shuttle buses as officers from various departments searched for a suspect. (NBC) 

Happening in NYC: The Department of Consumer and Worker Protection released a list of proposed penalties last week for enforcing the Fairness in Apartment Rental Expenses Act, which is meant to eliminate the hefty upfront fees for prospective tenants. Under the proposal, landlords and brokers would face a $750 fine if they were caught charging a tenant who didn’t explicitly hire the broker. The city would then fine them $1,800 for a second offense and $2,000 for any subsequent violation. (Gothamist) 

Happening in Our Community: Join the Athena Pre-Law Society and the Institute for the Study of Human Rights for a panel on how legal work intersects with human rights advocacy. “Practicing Human Rights Law: A Global South Perspective” is on Tuesday, April 22, from 6:30 to 7:30 pm, in Pupin 424. Register here.

NYC via Bwog Archives