Advocates and business groups urge New York City to add private enforcement and broader UDAAP protections
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Summary
Legal aid groups, consumer advocates and business representatives told the City Council committee that state law is weak, called for a municipal UDAAP and a private right of action, and urged funding and implementation details for student‑loan counseling and small‑business protections.
A broad coalition of legal services, consumer advocates and small‑business groups urged the City Council Committee on Consumer and Worker Protection to modernize local consumer law and give harmed New Yorkers more enforcement tools.
Carolyn Coffey of Mobilization for Justice told the committee the state’s consumer protection law leaves gaps and called on the council to adopt “a strong New York City UDAAP” with private enforcement and meaningful penalties. Winston Berkman Breen of Protect Borrowers said federal enforcement has weakened and cited data that CFPB complaints by New Yorkers rose 63% in 2025, arguing the city must act to fill the enforcement gap.
Multiple witnesses from legal aid and advocacy organizations pressed for a private right of action so individuals and small firms can sue for unfair, deceptive or abusive practices. Isaac Goodman of the New York Legal Assistance Group described the potential benefit of a city student‑loan counseling program (Intro 177) as a trusted resource to prevent defaults and scams.
Small‑business representatives urged protections and implementation safeguards: Jessica Walker of the Manhattan Chamber of Commerce and Lindsay Vigoda of Small Business Majority called for stronger notice, permanent cure periods and technology support so small retailers are not penalized for paperwork failures; Walker cited a 62% default judgment rate for resolved DCWP charges in her written testimony. Eda Henries and other business witnesses warned that recent federal SBA guidance restricting non‑U.S. applicants increases reliance on nontraditional lenders and heightens predatory lending risks for immigrant‑owned firms.
Panelists urged the committee to combine a stronger municipal standard for unfair and abusive conduct with adequate funding for DCWP and to ensure outreach, language access and community‑based partnerships so remedies reach those most harmed. Several witnesses asked the council to coordinate changes with DCWP staffing increases to ensure enforcement capacity matches any expansion of legal tools.
Committee members said they were encouraged by the range of testimony and signaled interest in follow‑up briefings and concrete cost and outreach plans before advancing legislation.
The hearing closed after additional testimony and Chair Epstein adjourned the session.