Authorizes issuance of distinctive plates bearing the words "Cure Childhood Cancer"

2 Co-sponsors

• Ruth Hassell-Thompson
• Kevin S. Parker

BILL NUMBER:S7957

Title of bill

An act to amend the vehicle and traffic law, in relation to authorizing the issuance of license plates bearing the words "Cure Childhood Cancer" and to amend the state finance law, in relation to establishing the cure childhood cancer trust fund

Purpose or general idea of bill

To create a "Cure Childhood Cancer Trust Fund" that will support pediatric cancer care, research, treatment, and wellness programs.

Summary of specific provisions

Section 1. Adds a new section 404-x to the vehicle and traffic law to authorize the creation of distinctive plate bearing the words "Cure Childhood Cancer".

Requires an additional annual service charge of $50 for each set of plates issued. The annual service charge would be deposited in the distinctive plate development fund maintained by the department of motor vehicles, and used for the production, design, advertising and marketing of distinctive license plates. Any service charges collected in excess of $4,000 would be deposited in a "cure childhood cancer trust fund" and used for pediatric cancer research and education projects approved by the commissioner of health.

Section 2. Adds a new section 99-w to the state finance law that establishes the Cure Childhood Cancer Fund, which shall be established in the joint custody of the commissioner of taxation and finance and the comptroller. Funds will be expended after approval by the state comptroller and the office of the attorney generally. Funding, made available through a competitive grants process and upon the recommendation of the commissioner of health, would be available for pediatric cancer care, treatment, and wellness projects including but not limited to physical and occupational therapy, art therapy, counseling, research grants and educational projects.

Applicants for funding would include integrative medical facilities, state of New York health centers, university hospitals, and community-based not-for-profit organizations that operate childhood cancer awareness and support programs.

Justification

According to the National Cancer Institute, it estimated that 15,780 children and adolescents ages 0 to 19 years will be diagnosed with cancer nationwide in a given year and 1,960 will die of the disease in the United States. Cancer is one of the most common chronic diseases in New York State, and is second only to heart disease as the leading cause of death. Each year, about 100,000 New Yorkers are diagnosed with cancer. According to the NYS Department of Health's Cancer Registry, between 2007-2011, 240 cases of pediatric cancer were reported per every 1,000,000 children up to age four. It is against this backdrop of information that the Cure Childhood Cancer fund will help enhance research efforts and raise community awareness about childhood cancer.

Prior legislative history

This is a new bill.

Fiscal implications

Minimal, with annual service charge revenues generated in excess of $4,000 being devoted to pediatric cancer care, treatment, and wellness programs.

Effective date

This act shall take effect on the one hundred eightieth day after it shall have become law.