Requires counties and cities with a population of one million or more to prepare comprehensive emergency management plans

3 Co-sponsors

• Diane J. Savino
• Tony Avella
• Kevin S. Parker

BILL NUMBER:S4719B

Title of bill

An act to amend the executive law, in relation to requiring counties and cities with a population of one million or more to prepare comprehensive emergency management plans

Purpose or general idea of bill

The purpose of this bill is to require counties and cities with a population of one million or more to adopt comprehensive emergency management plans, which would include provisions for the deployment of home health care and hospice personnel during local emergencies.

Summary of specific provisions

Section 1 would require all counties and all cities with a population of one million or more to prepare a comprehensive emergency management plan.

Section 2 would require the preparation of such plans to be adopted with the coordination, advice, and assistance from organizations that provide home health care services and organizations that provide hospice services, in addition to the other entities already provided for by law.

Section 3 would require such plans to include procedures for the deployment of physicians, nurses, medical professionals, personnel deployed by certified home health agencies, long term home health care programs or licensed home care services agencies governed under article thirty-six of the public health law, personnel deployed by hospices certified pursuant to article forty of the public health law or any other personnel deemed necessary, including procedures for deployment in areas where access has otherwise been restricted or subject to curfew in declared emergencies.

Section 4 would require each county and each city with a population of one million or more to revise such plans in the event such revisions are needed to comply with the provisions of this act. Such revised plans would also be required to be submitted to the disaster preparedness commission.

Section 5 would clarify that during a local state of emergency, local orders may establish a curfew and prohibit and control pedestrian and vehicular traffic, except essential emergency vehicles and personnel, and except as consistent with local comprehensive emergency management plans.

Section 6 provides for an immediate effective date.

Effects of present law which this bill would alter

Currently, the executive law permits counties, cities, towns, and villages to adopt local comprehensive emergency management plans. This bill would require all counties and all cities with a population of one million or more to prepare such plans.

In addition, this bill would clarify that personnel providing home health care services and hospice services should be consulted in the

preparation of such plans and that such plans include provisions for the deployment of such personnel during an emergency.

Justification

By enacting this legislation, New York State would help to ensure that the deployment of home health and hospice personnel is adequately addressed during local emergencies. Access to patients in restricted zones was a major problem for home care and hospice staff in responding to Hurricane Sandy as well as other emergency situations, and this bill seeks to prevent such situations in the future.

Prior legislative history

2013: A6530 - referred to governmental operations FISCAL IMPLICATIONS: None.

Effective date

This act shall take effect immediately.