Relates to the dedicated occupational safety and health training and education and occupational health clinic programs fund

BILL NUMBER:S47A

Title of bill

An act to amend the state finance law, in relation to the dedicated occupational safety and health training and education and occupational health clinic programs fund

Summary of specific provisions

Section one amends section 97-C of the State Finance Law by adding language in subsections 1, 2, 3 and 4 that requires dedicated funding for the occupational safety and health training and education and occupational health clinic programs fund. It also adds language to subsection 5 that indexes future increases to the funding to increases in the maximum rate for workers' compensation benefits pursuant to Paragraph (a) of subdivision 6 of section 15 of the workers' compensation law.

Justification

Occupational clinics provide much needed health care to workers and occupational safety and health training and education provides necessary services to reduce the number of injured workers. These programs have long been subject to budget cuts that create uncertainty and jeopardize the effectiveness in reducing injuries and care for injured workers. This bill would safeguard these programs from future funding cuts and would capture the increased assessment based funds that will be made available as a result of future maximum benefit increases.

Prior legislative history

2011-12: S.723-A 2009: S.2249 Referred to Finance 2008: S.6913 Reported to Rules; A.4509-B Passed Assembly 2005-06: A.3948 Referred to Labor 2004: A.11379 Reported to Ways and Means

Fiscal implications

Undetermined.

Effective date

This act shall take effect immediately.