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History
- Referred to education
- Referred to education
Companion bill
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Prohibits use, purchase and storage of mercury and mercury instruments in schools
In Assembly Committee · Education · Sponsor Steven Englebright
Full text
The text isn't available here yet. Check nysenate.gov.
Sponsor's memo
Title of bill
An act to amend the education law, in relation to prohibiting the use, purchase and storage of elemental mercury by schools; and to amend the public health law, in relation to directing the commissioner of health to compile and distribute materials for schools on the hazards of elemental mercury and actions which may be taken to reduce such hazards
Purpose of bill
The bill establishes requirements for the use, purchase, storage and disposal of mercury and mercury instruments in schools.
Summary of provisions
The bill prohibits schools from purchasing, using or storing any quantity of free-flowing mercury or any instrument which contains mercury, including thermometers, barometers, sphygmomanometers and manometers. If there are no reasonably acceptable mercury-free alternatives, schools may use instruments which contain the lowest mercury content readily available. Regulations would be required for schools to dispose of or recycle mercury. The Health Commissioner is required to provide educational materials explaining the hazards of mercury and actions that can be taken to reduce such hazards.
Justification
Mercury is a metal that can damage the nervous system and kidneys in high levels. Short-term exposure to high levels can cause shortness of breath, chest pain, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea and other problems. Exposure to mercury can occur by inhalation, skin absorption and ingestion. Children are particularly vulnerable because their nervous systems are still developing. According to the Department of Health, health effects in children might include brain damage and behavioral and developmental problems. This bill is intended to reduce or eliminate children's exposure to mercury in schools.
Prior legislative history
2007-2008- Education
Fiscal implications
None.
Effective date
This act shall take effect immediately, except that section one of this act shall take effect on the first of July next succeeding the date on which it shall have become a law.
Summaries, headlines and scores are AI-generated from the official bill text. How we score bills. Source: NYS Open Legislation.