Senate Bill S6156

                                 
BILL NUMBER: S6156

SPONSOR: CLEARE
 
TITLE OF BILL:

An act to amend the multiple dwelling law and the multiple residence
law, in relation to enacting the "AC in Residencies ('AIR') Act" to
require the installation of air conditioning equipment in indoor common
gathering areas in certain residential buildings

 
PURPOSE OR GENERAL IDEA OF BILL:

To allow individuals living in larger residential buildings, particular-
ly those aged 55 years or older, to have access to a shared cooling area
within their building of residence to help prevent heat-related illness
and death.

 
SUMMARY OF PROVISIONS:

Adds Section 85 to the Multiple Dwelling Law

Section 1 stipulates which multiple dwellings fall under the act.
              

Section 2 stipulates the temperature at which cooling areas must be made
available.

Section 3 states that temporary or portable cooling and dehumidification
may be used until the effective.date of the section.  Adds Section 175
to the Multiple Residence Law

Section 1 stipulates which multiple dwellings fall under the act.

Section 2 stipulates the temperature at which cooling areas must be made
available.

Section 3 states that temporary or portable cooling and dehumidification
may be used until the effective date of the section.

 
JUSTIFICATION:

Extreme heat can cause severe health problems and death. According to
the NYS Department of Health, average summertime temperatures have risen
throughout the state over the past decade and will continue to rise
throughout the century. The number of days with maximum temperatures
above 95 degrees Fahrenheit has also increased and, with it, increasing
the risk of heat-related illness and death. Given the effects of climate
change, these statistics are likely to continue to become worse.

Nationally, heat-related deaths have increased from 1,602 in 2021 to
2,302 in 2023. Last year, there were roughly 350 heat-related deaths in
New York City. Illness and death from extreme heat disproportionately
impacts people of color and peopled aged 65 years or older. Further,
these illnesses and deaths are more likely to occur at home.

Extreme heat can cause hospitalization for heart disease and heat
stroke, kidney injury, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and
loss of sleep and slowing of brain cognition. Those with chronic health
conditions such as diabetes, cardiovascular conditions, asthma, and
mental health issues are particularly susceptible to these effects,
making people aged 65 years or older particularly vulnerable to heat-re-
lated health, issues and death. People facing socioeconomic barriers to
health care or air conditioning are also particularly vulnerable,
effecting people of color disproportionately.

According to the 2024 New York City Heat-Related Mortality Report, "lack
of access to home air conditioning is the most important risk factor for
heat-stress death," and an un-air-conditioned home was the most common
place of death.

The bill would mandate cooling areas available to residents when the
outdoor heat index exceeds 80 degrees Fahrenheit in multiple dwellings
and multiple residences (residential buildings) that: are over 80 feet
tall, or has more than 100 residents, or is operated for occupancy by
persons 55 years or older pursuant to the federal Fair Housing Act of
1988. It would allow for temporary or portable cooling equipment to be
used in the two-year period before the bill goes into effect.

 
PRIOR LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:

New.

 
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS FOR STATE AND LOCAL GOVERNMENTS:

TBD.

 
EFFECTIVE DATE:
Two years from the bill becoming law