Council Member Farrah Lewis introduced Intro 9-25a, which the sponsor and colleagues called "Benzies Law," to require biennial inspections of steam radiators in apartments where a child under 6 lives and to mandate corrective timelines when defects are found.

Lewis recounted a fatal incident: "On January 19, Alex and Bessie Kovalski lost their eleventh month old son, Benjamin Zachariah, when a radiator valve in their apartment malfunctioned and released scalding steam into the room, killing him instantly." She cited other historical incidents and described the proposal as a life-saving measure.

Under the introduction as described, inspections would be required every two years in specified units and common areas. If an inspection identifies a defect or damage, building owners would be required to correct it within 14 days; any condition deemed hazardous to life or safety would require the radiator to be removed from service within 24 hours and repaired or replaced within seven days. The final draft, Lewis said, would allow inspections by certified superintendents, mechanical contractors, steam fitters and plumbers and provide flexibility through a two-year inspection cycle.

Lewis asked the council to support the measure and thanked the Kovalski family and committee staff for their work. The bill was presented for vote consideration; the transcript does not include the recorded outcome of a vote.

The sponsor framed the legislation as consistent with other apartment-safety inspection requirements (lead paint and window guards), and emphasized landlord accountability, inspection report maintenance, and penalties for negligence.