Increases the composition of the September 11th worker protection task force and extends the expiration of such chapter

§2 - Extends the Task Force for an additional five years until June 10, 2015.

§3 - Provides for an immediate effective date.

Existing law

The Task Force established by Chapter 104 of the laws of 2005 is set to be repealed on June 10, 2010.

The current composition of the Task Force is as follows:

The Task Force will consist of 19 members; among its members include the following:

* Six by the governor; * Three members by the temporary president of the senate, two of whom shall be representatives from the organizations representing workers at the World Trade Center side and one of whom shall be a representative of * a recognized health organization with appropriate expertise; * Three members by the speaker of the assembly, two of whom shall be representatives from the organizations representing workers at the World Trade Center site and one of whom shall be a representative of a recognized health organization with appropriate expertise; * The state comptroller or his or her representative; * The comptroller of the city of New York or his or her representative; * The mayor of the city of New York or his or her representative; * A representative from the Department of Labor; * A representative from the Department of Health; * A representative from the Civil Service Commission; and * A representative from the Division of Budget.

Justification

The Task force has been very successful in identifying additional issues that have arisen from the rescue, recovery and clean-up of the former World Trade Center site but there are still issues to be addressed therefore it is necessary to extend the Task Force for an additional five years.

The Task Force was charged with and will continue to monitor workers and retirees and provide recommendations:

Duties: The task force shall have the following duties relating to workers who participated in the World Trade Center rescue, recovery and cleanup:

* to obtain from the department of health and the New York City department of health, such departments' review of statistical and qualitative data on the prevalence and incidence of sickness, illness and disability of such workers; * to obtain from other sources reviews of statistical and qualitative data on the prevalence and incidence of sickness, illness and disability of such workers; * assess based upon evidence presented, the nature, scope and magnitude of the health impacts caused by exposure to air and elements; * measure the adverse health effects of exposure on such workers; * to consult with any organization, health institution, governmental agency or person including, but not limited to, the department of health, the department of health of the city of New York, the federal department of health, the department of environmental conservation, the federal environmental protection agency, the New York committee for occupational safety and health and the occupational safety and health administration; * to identify and examine the limitations of any existing laws, regulations, programs, and services with regard to coverage, extent of disability, process for determination, adequacy of coverage and treatment of specific types of disabilities and to undertake any recommendations; and * to receive and to consider reports and testimony from individuals, the health department, community-based organizations, voluntary health organizations, and other public and private organizations statewide to learn more about the diagnosis, care, and treatment of such workers at these designated sites.

Legislative history

New legislation.

Fiscal implications

None.

Effective date

Immediately.