Coordinate the campaign
Coordinate legislative, administrative, legal, research, and communications work so each path strengthens the others.
Support the effort 
A lot has changed since the 80's. New York's health code hasn't.New York's health code hasn't.
Modernization of New York's health code is long overdue, but it is not inevitable. We are doing the necessary work today to make modernization a reality tomorrow.
Not ready to give? Get email updates instead“There is growing momentum for the Department of Health to replace a 40-year old relic in the code with new regulations based on current science. I'm thrilled to have an ally in this effort who can help advocate for this change from all angles.”
— State Senator Erik Bottcher
SUPPORT THE LEGISLATION✦PURSUE ADMINISTRATIVE CHANGES✦DEVELOP REPLACEMENT REGULATIONS
OUR MISSION 01
Our Mission: Modernizing government regulation to safeguard both public health and the civil liberties of consenting adults.
Our Objective: Replace New York's prohibition on adult bathhouses with effective regulations based on current science and public health standards.
Promote the science
Translate modern prevention, treatment, and harm-reduction evidence into standards regulators can adopt and enforce.
Organize the stakeholders
Bring public-health leaders, clinicians, advocates, operators, community organizations, and funders into a shared campaign.
Implement the modernization
Identify the state and local barriers that remain after repeal so a safe, licensed bathhouse can actually open in New York.
OUR STRATEGY 03
The legislation is important. But it's not the only path to, or necessity for, modernization.
It is a mistake to assume repeal of the ban is a done deal. So while we build support for the legislation, we will also pursue other paths to repeal and develop the framework for the regulations that must replace it.
Support the legislation
The Public Health Modernization Act would repeal the 1985 prohibition and require the Department of Health to establish rules for licensing and operating adult bathhouses within six months.
We are building visible support, briefing lawmakers, recruiting partners, and making the evidence-based case for passage and strong public-health standards.
Read coverage of the legislation ↗Pursue administrative changes
The legislative process can be long and uncertain, and there's no reason to wait. Our formal rulemaking petition submitted in October urges the Department of Health to own the process and begin a public review of Part 24 the Sanitary Code now rather than wait for a legislative mandate. A second petition we submitted to the Governor requests an executive order directing the Department of Health to conduct a review.
These petitions create a public record, put modern evidence before decisionmakers, and open administrative paths to repeal while advocacy for the legislation continues.
The state sanitary code is just one of the regulatory hurdles for an adult bathhouse to clear before opening. We will identify other potential obstacles at the state and city level, such as overly restrictive building codes or zoning laws, to make sure those are cleared, as well.
Develop replacement regulations
The Public Health Modernization Act would require the Department of Health to establish rules for licensing and operating adult bathhouses within six months. That timeline makes regulatory design a present campaign responsibility—not work to begin after passage.
Our goal is a framework grounded in modern science, practical enough to implement, and strong enough to earn public trust.
CORE ELEMENTS
- A transparent licensing process
- Routine health and safety inspections
- Clear sanitation and operating standards
- On-site prevention, testing, and referrals
- Training, incident protocols, and accountability
- Meaningful community and operator input
OUR WORK 04
We are doing the work necessary for modernization.
Petitions
Press releases
Regulation framework
Discussion draft to be released soon.
Research reports
OUR ASK 05
Every gift funds a key piece of the effort.
Every unrestricted gift advances the full charitable mission. These giving levels show the scale of work a donation makes possible.
Amplify our significance
Underwrite the hiring of legal counsel and lobbyists.
Give $5,000 →Bolster our argument
Fund the participation and testimony of public health experts.
Give $1,000 →Build our support
Pay for campaign communications that win over public skeptics.
Give $100 →OUR ASK 06
Help make it possible
Your gift funds the coordinated work required to modernize the health code: legislative advocacy, the rulemaking petition, regulatory research and drafting, coalition building, public education, and implementation planning.
- Support the legislation
- Pursue non-legislative pathways
- Develop the replacement framework
New Yorkers for a Modern Health Code, Inc. is a New York charitable nonprofit with a pending federal 501(c)(3) application. If that application is approved, gifts made now are expected to be tax-deductible retroactive to the date of the gift. No goods or services are provided in exchange for donations unless stated otherwise.
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OUR LEADERSHIP 07
Executive Director
Joe Hickerson has more than two decades of experience in research, public affairs, and business leadership.
He spent 15 years as Vice President of Research at Global Strategy Group, a national public affairs firm based in New York City with a significant client base in the city and state, from Councilmen to Governors and Senators, as well as unions, nonprofits and businesses. Among his clients was Empire State Pride Agenda, New York’s main LGBTQ+ political advocacy organization.
He also spent two years as a senior strategist for Everytown for Gun Safety, the national gun violence prevention organization, overseeing research initiatives during the 2016 election.
He has firsthand knowledge of building a business and serving a community from subsequently founding Malebox, a venue hosting private events for gay men, which he owned and operated for eight years.