Encourages voluntary, informed vaccination against human papillomavirus (HPV)

BILL NUMBER:S789A

Title of bill

An act to amend the public health law, in relation to encouraging immunization against human papillomavirus (HPV)

Purpose or general idea of bill

Encourages voluntary, informed vacci- nation against human papillomavirus (HPV).

Summary of specific provisions

Section 1. Amends the Public Health Law, section 2164(2)(5)(6) . Requires that parents and guardians of a child in New York State be encouraged, through the provision of written educational materials and consultation, to administer to such child an adequate dose or doses of An immunizing agent against human papillomavirus (HPV) which meets the standards approved by the United States Public Health Service. Provides that every parent and guardian of a child born after January 1, 1994 and entering the sixth grade or is of a comparable age level on or after September 1, 2015, shall, through the provision of written educational materials and consultation, have administered a HPV booster immuniza- tion. Requires the health practitioner who administers the HPV immuniza- tion to provide the parent or guardian with a certificate of such immun- ization. In the event that no certificate or other acceptable evidence of HPV immunization exists, the parent or guardian shall be informed by the principal, teacher, owner or person in charge of the school of the efficacy of voluntary HPV immunization.

Section 2. Amends the Public Health Law, section 613(1)(a). Requires the Commissioner of Health to develop educational efforts to encourage informed, voluntary HPV vaccinations.

Section 3. Effective Date

Existing law

None

Justification

Cervical cancer is a worldwide public health issue, and the HPV vaccine may be the solution to it. Every year, 11,000 American women have cervical cancer, and two million more have abnormal pap smears, almost all due to a viral infection.

The Catholic Health Association of the United States says that prevent- ing a life-threatening disease and sexual promiscuity are different issues. Preventing disease is the responsibility of the health care provider, and this vaccine is a way to do that.

Prior legislative history

2013: S.789- Referred to Health/A.766-Enacting Clause Stricken 2012: S.98-A-Amend and Recommit to Health/A.2360-A-Amend and Recommit to Health 2011: S.98 - Notice of Committee Consideration Requested/A.2360 - Referred to Health 2009-10: S 1983A - Referred to Health/A.3203A - Referred to Health 2007-08: A.7403 - Referred to Health

Fiscal implications

None to the state.

Effective date

Immediately.