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History
- Referred to health
- Referred to health
Full text
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Sponsor's memo
BILL NUMBER:A8912
Title of bill
An act to amend the public health law, in relation to indoor air quality in ice skating rinks
Purpose or general idea of bill
This bill promotes public health by requiring Sanitary Code regulations for safe and appropriate operation, maintenance and monitoring of ice resurfacing equipment using internal combustion engines.
Summary of specific provisions
Bill §1 adds a new subdivision 13 of §225 of the Public Health Law, providing that the Public Health Council (PHC) shall amend the State Sanitary Code to ensure safe and appropriate indoor air quality in ice skating rinks. Specifically, the PSC shall establish regulations providing that all ice resurfacing equipment powered by combustible fuels which produce carbon monoxide, nitrogen dioxide and/or particulate matter shall be maintained and operated to ensure acceptable air quality.
The regulations shall specify levels of air contaminants that would require:
-notification to appropriate state and/or local officials; -implementation of remedial measures to protect public health; or -immediate evacuation of the rink.
The regulations shall also specify procedures for safe operation and maintenance of ice resurfacing equipment, adequate ventilation, sampling and monitoring of indoor air quality, and other appropriate measures to protect life and health.
Effects of present law which this bill would alter
New York State currently has no statutory or regulatory provisions applicable to protecting skaters in enclosed rinks from unsafe concentrations of air contaminants.
Justification
The use of internal-combustion engines to power ice resurfacing equipment can under certain circumstances pose a health hazard. If the catalytic converters are not properly maintained, ventilation is inadequate and emissions are not monitored, the result can be a buildup in an enclosed rink of carbon monoxide, nitrogen dioxide and particulates. Numerous cases have been reported where groups of skaters have been taken to emergency rooms after exposure to excessive levels of such air contaminants.
The popularity of ice hockey and skating means that many young New Yorkers are spending substantial amounts of time in indoor ice rinks, and are at risk of adverse health effects from poorly maintained equipment. These concerns have led the States of Massachusetts, Minnesota and Rhode Island to regulate the air quality at indoor ice rinks. This bill would charge the Public Health Council with amending the Sanitary Code to ensure that rinks in New York also maintain an acceptable level of indoor air quality.
Prior legislative history
New bill.
Fiscal implications for state and local governments
Minimal.
Effective date
180th day after having become a law; provided, however, that the Public Health Council and the Department of Health are immediately authorized and directed to promulgate rules and regulations and take any other actions necessary to implement the act on such date.
Summaries, headlines and scores are AI-generated from the official bill text. How we score bills. Source: NYS Open Legislation.