§ 517-16. Legislative intent.

This Legislature hereby finds and determines that many Suffolk County residents have experienced property damages as a result of fire, flooding, hurricane, storm or other hardship events. This Legislature further finds and determines that persons who sustain damages to their home as a result of a fire or other calamity are faced with many immediate and pressing problems; securing and protecting their damaged property is a fundamental concern. This Legislature determines that numerous businesses which board up, tarp or otherwise secure damaged buildings operate in Suffolk County free of any regulation or oversight. This Legislature also finds that local emergency responders have expressed concern about the business practices of some of these "board-up" businesses. Local firefighters complain that multiple board-up businesses descend on fire scenes; that they ignore instructions from the local fire companies that are attempting to manage the scene; that they wear uniforms that cause property owners to believe they are acting in some official capacity; and that they employ high-pressure and deceptive practices to win business from home owners. This Legislature further finds that board-up businesses operating within Suffolk County should be regulated to protect consumers from unconscionable and unscrupulous business practices and to ensure that firefighters and other emergency responders can perform their roles without unnecessary distractions and interference. Therefore, the purpose of this article is to require board-up businesses to register with the Department of Labor, Licensing and Consumer Affairs and to comply with minimum consumer protection measures.