Senate Bill S9668

2025-2026 Legislative Session

Establishes the office of global public health and international cooperation within the department of health

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Current Bill Status - In Senate Committee Health Committee

Introduced
- In Committee Assembly
- In Committee Senate
- On Floor Calendar Assembly
- On Floor Calendar Senate
- Passed Assembly
- Passed Senate
Delivered to Governor
Signed By Governor

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Date of Action	Assembly Actions - Lowercase Senate Actions - UPPERCASE
Apr 01, 2026	referred to health

2025-S9668 (ACTIVE) - Details

See Assembly Version of this Bill:: A10209
Current Committee:: Senate Health
Law Section:: Public Health Law
Laws Affected:: Add §206-c, Pub Health L

2025-S9668 (ACTIVE) - Summary

Establishes the office of global public health and international cooperation within the department of health to coordinate cooperation with international public health institutions for purposes related to public health; requires such office to submit an annual global health risk and preparedness report to the governor, the temporary president of the senate, the speaker of the assembly and the chairs of the senate and assembly health committees.

2025-S9668 (ACTIVE) - Sponsor Memo

                                 
BILL NUMBER: S9668

SPONSOR: WEBB
 
TITLE OF BILL:

An act to amend the public health law, in relation to establishing the
office of global public health and international cooperation within the
department of health

 
PURPOSE:

The purpose of this bill is to establish the Office of Global Public
Health and International Cooperation within the Department of Health to
coordinate international public health collaboration, strengthen disease
surveillance, and improve preparedness for global health threats.

 
SUMMARY OF PROVISIONS:

Section 1 sets forth legislative findings regarding New York State's
vulnerability to global public health threats and the importance of
international cooperation, data sharing, and early detection.

Section 2 adds a new section 206-c to the Public Health Law establishing
the Office of Global Public Health and International Cooperation within
the Department of Health under the supervision of the Commissioner.

The bill defines key terms, including "technical cooperation," "interna-
tional public health institution," and "non-binding memorandum of under-
standing."

The office is authorized to coordinate international technical cooper-
ation related to public health surveillance, epidemiology, laboratory
science, emergency preparedness, and workforce training.  It facilitates
the exchange of public health data in compliance with applicable privacy
laws and supports partnerships with academic institutions, laboratories,
hospitals, and international public health organizations.

The office promotes research collaboration and scientific exchange,
provides technical assistance to state and local agencies, and develops
early-warning systems for emerging global health threats. It may apply
for and administer grants and enter into non-binding memoranda of under-
standing for technical cooperation.

The bill establishes limitations clarifying that the office may not
engage in treaties or foreign policy actions reserved to the federal
government and that all cooperation must be non-binding and consistent
with federal authority.  The office is required to submit an annual
global health risk and preparedness report to state leadership, includ-
ing assessments of emerging risks, summaries of partnerships, evalu-
ations of preparedness capacity, recommendations, and financial account-
ing.

Section 3 sets the effective date.

 
JUSTIFICATION:

New York State is a global center of travel, commerce, and migration,
making it particularly vulnerable to the rapid spread of emerging infec-
tious diseases and other public health threats. Recent global health
emergencies have demonstrated the importance of early detection, timely
data sharing, and coordinated international collaboration in preventing
and responding to such threats.

This bill establishes a dedicated office within the Department of Health
to coordinate technical cooperation with international public health
institutions and research partners. By strengthening collaboration, data
exchange, and preparedness efforts, the bill enhances New York's ability
to monitor global health risks and respond effectively to emerging
threats.

The creation of this office supports improved disease surveillance,
workforce development, and emergency response capacity while ensuring
that all activities remain consistent with federal law and limited to
non-binding cooperation.

 
LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:

New Bill.

 
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS:

To be determined.

 
EFFECTIVE DATE:
This act shall take effect one hundred eighty days after it shall have
become a law.

2025-S9668 (ACTIVE) - Bill Text download pdf

                             
                     S T A T E   O F   N E W   Y O R K
 ________________________________________________________________________
 
                                   9668
 
                             I N  S E N A T E
 
                               April 1, 2026
                                ___________
 
 Introduced  by  Sen.  WEBB  --  read twice and ordered printed, and when
   printed to be committed to the Committee on Health
 
 AN ACT to amend the public health law, in relation to  establishing  the
   office  of  global  public health and international cooperation within
   the department of health
 
   THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK, REPRESENTED IN SENATE AND  ASSEM-
 BLY, DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS:
 
   Section  1.  Legislative  findings  and intent. The legislature hereby
 finds and declares that:
   1. New York state is a global center of travel,  commerce,  diplomacy,
 education,  and  migration,  and  as  such is uniquely vulnerable to the
 rapid importation and transmission of emerging infectious  diseases  and
 other global public health threats; and
   2.  Recent  global  public  health  emergencies have demonstrated that
 early detection, rapid information  sharing,  and  coordinated  interna-
 tional  scientific  collaboration  are essential components of effective
 disease prevention, preparedness, and response; and
   3. Technical cooperation, data exchange,  and  research  collaboration
 between  public  health authorities, academic institutions, and interna-
 tional health organizations significantly enhance disease  surveillance,
 workforce training, and emergency preparedness capabilities; and
   4. Federal disengagement from international public health institutions
 weakens  global  disease surveillance networks and increases the risk of
 delayed detection and response, thereby heightening public health  risks
 for states with high volumes of international travel and commerce; and
   5.  It  is therefore in the interest of the people of the state of New
 York to establish a  permanent  state-level  infrastructure  within  the
 department  of health to coordinate lawful, non-binding, technical coop-
 eration with international public health institutions and research part-
 ners  in  order  to  strengthen  disease  surveillance,  public   health
 preparedness, scientific exchange, and emergency response capacity.
   § 2. The public health law is amended by adding a new section 206-c to
 read as follows:

  EXPLANATION--Matter in ITALICS (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
                       [ ] is old law to be omitted.
                                                            LBD14760-01-6

 S. 9668                             2
 
   § 206-C. OFFICE OF GLOBAL PUBLIC HEALTH AND INTERNATIONAL COOPERATION.
 1. DEFINITIONS. FOR PURPOSES OF THIS SECTION:
   (A)  "TECHNICAL  COOPERATION"  SHALL  MEAN  NON-BINDING  COLLABORATION
 RELATED TO PUBLIC HEALTH SURVEILLANCE, DATA  EXCHANGE,  RESEARCH,  WORK-
 FORCE   TRAINING,  SCIENTIFIC  EDUCATION,  EMERGENCY  PREPAREDNESS,  AND
 DISEASE PREVENTION AND CONTROL.
   (B) "INTERNATIONAL PUBLIC HEALTH INSTITUTION"  SHALL  MEAN  A  FOREIGN
 GOVERNMENTAL  PUBLIC  HEALTH  AUTHORITY,  INTERNATIONAL ORGANIZATION, OR
 MULTILATERAL TECHNICAL AGENCY ENGAGED IN DISEASE SURVEILLANCE, EPIDEMIO-
 LOGICAL RESEARCH, OR  PUBLIC  HEALTH  PREPAREDNESS,  INCLUDING  BUT  NOT
 LIMITED  TO  THE  WORLD  HEALTH  ORGANIZATION AND AGENCIES OF THE UNITED
 NATIONS.
   (C) "NON-BINDING MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING"  SHALL  MEAN  A  WRITTEN
 AGREEMENT  THAT  DOES NOT CREATE LEGALLY ENFORCEABLE OBLIGATIONS, TREATY
 COMMITMENTS, OR INTERNATIONAL AGREEMENTS, AND THAT IS LIMITED TO TECHNI-
 CAL COOPERATION AND INFORMATION EXCHANGE.
   2. ESTABLISHMENT. THERE SHALL BE ESTABLISHED WITHIN THE DEPARTMENT  AN
 OFFICE  TO  BE  KNOWN AS THE OFFICE OF GLOBAL PUBLIC HEALTH AND INTERNA-
 TIONAL COOPERATION, WHICH SHALL OPERATE UNDER THE SUPERVISION AND DIREC-
 TION OF THE COMMISSIONER.
   3. POWERS AND DUTIES. THE OFFICE OF GLOBAL PUBLIC HEALTH AND  INTERNA-
 TIONAL COOPERATION SHALL HAVE THE POWER AND DUTY TO:
   (A)  COORDINATE  INTERNATIONAL  TECHNICAL COOPERATION IN THE FIELDS OF
 PUBLIC HEALTH SURVEILLANCE, EPIDEMIOLOGY, LABORATORY SCIENCE,  EMERGENCY
 PREPAREDNESS,  AND  WORKFORCE  TRAINING, CONSISTENT WITH FEDERAL LAW AND
 CONSTITUTIONAL LIMITATIONS;
   (B) FACILITATE THE EXCHANGE OF PUBLIC  HEALTH  DATA,  SUBJECT  TO  ALL
 APPLICABLE STATE AND FEDERAL PRIVACY AND SECURITY LAWS, FOR THE PURPOSES
 OF   DISEASE   SURVEILLANCE,   EARLY-WARNING  DETECTION,  AND  EMERGENCY
 PREPAREDNESS;
   (C) SUPPORT AND COORDINATE PARTNERSHIPS BETWEEN NEW YORK-BASED ACADEM-
 IC INSTITUTIONS, PUBLIC HEALTH  LABORATORIES,  HOSPITALS,  AND  INTERNA-
 TIONAL  PUBLIC  HEALTH INSTITUTIONS, INCLUDING THOSE DESIGNATED AS WORLD
 HEALTH ORGANIZATION COLLABORATING CENTERS;
   (D) PROMOTE RESEARCH COLLABORATION AND SCIENTIFIC EXCHANGE PROGRAMS TO
 STRENGTHEN NEW YORK STATE'S PUBLIC HEALTH WORKFORCE AND TECHNICAL CAPAC-
 ITY;
   (E) PROVIDE TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE AND CONSULTATION  TO  STATE  AGENCIES
 AND LOCAL HEALTH DEPARTMENTS REGARDING GLOBAL DISEASE THREATS, PREPARED-
 NESS PLANNING, AND EMERGING PUBLIC HEALTH RISKS;
   (F) DEVELOP AND MAINTAIN EARLY-WARNING SYSTEMS FOR EMERGING INFECTIOUS
 DISEASES  AND  OTHER  GLOBAL PUBLIC HEALTH THREATS, IN COORDINATION WITH
 STATE, FEDERAL, AND INTERNATIONAL PARTNERS;
   (G) APPLY FOR, ACCEPT, AND ADMINISTER GRANTS,  GIFTS,  DONATIONS,  AND
 OTHER  FUNDS  FROM  PUBLIC  OR  PRIVATE SOURCES, INCLUDING PHILANTHROPIC
 ORGANIZATIONS, RESEARCH INSTITUTIONS, AND  PUBLIC-PRIVATE  PARTNERSHIPS,
 CONSISTENT WITH APPLICABLE LAW;
   (H)  ENTER  INTO  NON-BINDING MEMORANDA OF UNDERSTANDING FOR TECHNICAL
 COOPERATION, CONSISTENT WITH SUBDIVISION FOUR OF THIS SECTION; AND
   (I) PERFORM SUCH OTHER DUTIES AS MAY BE NECESSARY  TO  CARRY  OUT  THE
 PURPOSES OF THIS SECTION.
   4.  LIMITATIONS.  (A)  NOTHING  IN  THIS SECTION SHALL BE CONSTRUED TO
 AUTHORIZE THE OFFICE OF GLOBAL PUBLIC HEALTH AND  INTERNATIONAL  COOPER-
 ATION,  THE  DEPARTMENT, OR THE STATE TO ENTER INTO ANY TREATY, COMPACT,
 OR AGREEMENT CONSTITUTING FOREIGN POLICY,  DIPLOMACY,  OR  INTERNATIONAL
 RELATIONS RESERVED TO THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT.
 S. 9668                             3
 
   (B)  ALL  MEMORANDA  OF  UNDERSTANDING  AND  COOPERATIVE  ARRANGEMENTS
 AUTHORIZED PURSUANT TO THIS SECTION SHALL BE STRICTLY  LIMITED  TO  NON-
 BINDING  TECHNICAL COOPERATION, RESEARCH COLLABORATION, WORKFORCE TRAIN-
 ING, AND PUBLIC HEALTH PREPAREDNESS FUNCTIONS.
   (C)  NOTHING IN THIS SECTION SHALL BE CONSTRUED TO IMPAIR OR SUPERSEDE
 THE AUTHORITY OF THE  FEDERAL  GOVERNMENT,  INCLUDING  THE  CENTERS  FOR
 DISEASE  CONTROL  AND  PREVENTION,  THE  DEPARTMENT  OF HEALTH AND HUMAN
 SERVICES, OR ANY OTHER FEDERAL AGENCY.
   5. ANNUAL REPORT. THE OFFICE OF GLOBAL PUBLIC HEALTH AND INTERNATIONAL
 COOPERATION SHALL SUBMIT AN ANNUAL GLOBAL HEALTH RISK  AND  PREPAREDNESS
 REPORT  TO  THE  GOVERNOR,  THE  TEMPORARY  PRESIDENT OF THE SENATE, THE
 SPEAKER OF THE ASSEMBLY AND THE CHAIRS OF THE SENATE AND ASSEMBLY HEALTH
 COMMITTEES, WHICH SHALL INCLUDE, BUT NOT BE LIMITED TO:
   (A) AN ASSESSMENT OF EMERGING GLOBAL PUBLIC HEALTH RISKS  WITH  POTEN-
 TIAL IMPACT ON NEW YORK STATE;
   (B)  A  SUMMARY OF TECHNICAL COOPERATION ACTIVITIES, PARTNERSHIPS, AND
 MEMORANDA OF UNDERSTANDING;
   (C) AN EVALUATION OF NEW YORK STATE'S PREPAREDNESS CAPACITY TO RESPOND
 TO GLOBAL PUBLIC HEALTH THREATS;
   (D) RECOMMENDATIONS FOR LEGISLATIVE, REGULATORY, OR BUDGETARY  ACTIONS
 TO STRENGTHEN PUBLIC HEALTH PREPAREDNESS; AND
   (E) AN ACCOUNTING OF ALL FUNDS RECEIVED AND EXPENDED BY SUCH OFFICE.
   6.  STAFFING.  THE COMMISSIONER MAY APPOINT SUCH PROFESSIONAL, TECHNI-
 CAL, AND ADMINISTRATIVE STAFF AS MAY  BE  NECESSARY  TO  CARRY  OUT  THE
 DUTIES  OF  THE OFFICE OF GLOBAL PUBLIC HEALTH AND INTERNATIONAL COOPER-
 ATION, WITHIN AMOUNTS APPROPRIATED THEREFOR.
   7. SEVERABILITY. IF ANY PROVISION OF THIS SECTION OR  ITS  APPLICATION
 SHALL  BE ADJUDGED INVALID, SUCH JUDGMENT SHALL NOT AFFECT OR IMPAIR THE
 VALIDITY OF THE REMAINDER OF THIS SECTION OR THE APPLICATION THEREOF  TO
 OTHER PERSONS OR CIRCUMSTANCES.
   § 3. This act shall take effect on the one hundred eightieth day after
 it shall have become a law.

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Senate Bill S9668

Sponsored By

Current Bill Status - In Senate Committee Health Committee

Actions

2025-S9668 (ACTIVE) - Details

2025-S9668 (ACTIVE) - Summary

2025-S9668 (ACTIVE) - Sponsor Memo

2025-S9668 (ACTIVE) - Bill Text download pdf

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Sponsored By

Lea Webb

Current Bill Status - In Senate Committee Health Committee

Actions

2025-S9668 (ACTIVE) - Details

2025-S9668 (ACTIVE) - Summary

2025-S9668 (ACTIVE) - Sponsor Memo

2025-S9668 (ACTIVE) - Bill Text download pdf

Comments