BILL NUMBER:  S7451

 TITLE OF BILL :  An act providing funding in cities having
populations of one million or more for combating legionnaires'
disease; appropriation

 PURPOSE OR GENERAL IDEA OF BILL :

The purpose of the bill is to provide an appropriation of up to $50
million to cities with a population of one million to enable them to
combat Legionnaires' disease.

 SUMMARY OF PROVISIONS :

Section 1 of the bill appropriates a sum of up to $50 million to the
New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene and the
Department of Environmental Protection for the purpose of enforcing
all laws, rules and regulations designed to combat Legionnaires'
disease and requires that the funds be drawn from the local assistance
account.

Section 2 provides for this act to take effect immediately.

 JUSTIFICATION :

During the summer of 2015 the City of New York experienced the worst
              

outbreak of Legionnaires' disease in the history of our State's
largest municipality. As of August 10, 2015, the outbreak had taken
the lives of 12 New Yorkers and led to the hospitalization of 113
individuals with severe health complications directly attributable to
the disease. Public health officials have stated that the deadly
disease outbreak centered in the South Bronx resulted from mist from
poorly maintained water cooling towers being inhaled by individuals
with preexisting health conditions including compromised pulmonary
and/ or immune systems.

While the latest outbreak of Legionnaires' disease is the largest and
most deadly of its kind in New York history the disease has proven
dangerous in the past with a dozen Bronx residents being sent to the
hospital with Legionnaires' less than a year before. The recurring
nature of the disease indicates the clear need to ensure that the
appropriate professionals have the resources needed to protect the
public health and prevent further deaths.

Focused on the importance of combating the severe form of pneumonia
commonly known as Legionnaires' disease - this legislation
appropriates up to $50 million to the city agencies that are most
directly responsible for ensuring that the necessary inspection of
water cooling towers take place in New York City.

 PRIOR LEGISLATIVE HISTORY :

New Legislation

 FISCAL IMPLICATIONS :

Up to a maximum of $50 million in state funds will be spent with a
much larger potential savings due to a reduction in the number of
hospitalizations resulting from Legionnaires' disease.

 EFFECTIVE DATE :
This act shall take effect immediately.