Senate Bill S1140

                                
 
BILL NUMBER: S1140

SPONSOR: HARCKHAM
 
TITLE OF BILL:

An act to amend the public health law, in relation to notifying local
officials of the occurrence of certain emergency situations

 
PURPOSE OR GENERAL IDEA:

To require county health commissioners to notify appropriate local offi-
cials in the event of a health emergency. This bill is designed to
facilitate timely notice to county and local officials so they can put
in place the appropriate emergency response as soon as possible.

 
SUMMARY OF SPECIFIC PROVISIONS:

Section 1 of this law would amend Section 352 of the public health law
by adding a new subdivision 7, to require that upon the occurrence of an
emergency where an imminent imperilment to the public health and safety
exists, the county health commissioner shall immediately notify, in
              

addition to those individuals he or she would have otherwise notified,
the chief executive officer of each municipality affected by the emer-
gency; each member of the county's legislative body who represents the
area affected by the emergency; and where the emergency affects another
county, the county health commissioner of the affected county or coun-
ties.

Section 2 is the effective date.

 
JUSTIFICATION:

There are gaps in the notification procedures. When there is an imminent
threat to public health all appropriate officials need to be alerted so
they can put in place the appropriate emergency response as soon as
possible. The sooner the public is aware of the problem, the sooner they
can take steps to protect themselves.

 
PRIOR LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:

2019-20: S3682 Third Reading; same as A2885 (Abinanti) referred to
rules;
2017-18: A463 referred to health;
2015-2016 A.187 referred to health;
2013-2014: A.535-A Passed Assembly; same as 5275 (Marchione);
2012: A.7121-A passed Assembly; same as S.7358-A (McDonald) referred to
health;

 
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS:

None

 
EFFECTIVE DATE:
This act shall take effect immediately.