BILL NUMBER:  S4714

 TITLE OF BILL :  An act to amend the executive law, in relation to
the reporting of biological, chemical and radiological threats

 PURPOSE OR GENERAL IDEA OF BILL :  This bill would require the
reporting of chemical, biological and radiological threats to the
State Police.

 SUMMARY OF SPECIFIC PROVISIONS :  This bill would amend the Executive
Law to require all police agencies to report any chemical, biological
or radiological threat to the Division of State Police.

 JUSTIFICATION: :  In the last few years, there has been a marked
increase in the instances of both actual and alleged cases of Anthrax
dissemination through the U.S. Mail. Most to date have proven to be
non-credible threats involving hoax cases of biological infection
(white powder) spread through mail.

The purpose of the reporting requirement provided in this bill is not
to enable the State Police to take over such cases, but to merely
create a centralized database. It is critical for New York State to
capture information regarding these types of incidents statewide for
many reasons, including:

* Identification of trends or patterns;
              

* Enhanced perspective of future response needs;

* Connection of related incidents that may cross
jurisdictional/investigative agency boundaries; and

* Statistical compilation for additional federal funding justification
for New York State.

Additionally, information regarding any incident involving a suspected
or perceived Weapon of Mass Destruction (WMD) agent (radiological,
biological or chemical) should be tracked in this manner.

Creation of this required reporting mechanism will allow New York to
begin gathering and compiling reliable data on these types of
incidents.

 PRIOR LEGISLATIVE HISTORY: :  2008 - S3797 - Referred to Standing
Committee on Finance.

 FISCAL IMPLICATIONS :  None Noted.

 EFFECTIVE DATE: :  This act would take effect immediately.