Authorizes a study on the high incidence of asthma in the borough of the Bronx in the city of New York and to prepare a remedial plan

4 Co-sponsors

• Adriano Espaillat
• Ruth Hassell-Thompson
• Jeffrey D. Klein
• Diane J. Savino

BILL NUMBER:S926

Title of bill

An act to direct the New York state department of health to conduct a study on the high incidence of asthma in the borough of the Bronx in the city of New York and to prepare a remedial plan

Purpose or general idea of bill

The general purpose of the bill is to ensure that the State Department of Health conducts a study of the high incidence of asthma in the Borough of the Bronx in the City of New York and provide the Governor and the Legislature with a remedial plan addressing high risk neighborhoods by examining disparities in: income, race and ethnicity, public and private housing, proximity to major sources of air pollution, and an evaluation of the effectiveness of existing medical facilities.

Summary and specific provisions

Section 1 of this bill directs the Commissioner of the New York State Department of Health to prepare a remedial plan to address high incidence of asthma in the Borough of the Bronx in the City of New York.

Section 2 of this bill provides that a study and remedial plan shall be completed within twelve months of the effective date of this act.

Section 3 of this bill provides that this act shall take effect on the one hundred twentieth day after it shall have become law. The results of the remedial plan shall be provided to the Governor and the Legislature no later than eighteen months from the beginning of such study.

Justification

Asthma is a respiratory disease that kills nearly 255,000 people worldwide each year. Asthma also affects more than one million people in the state of New York and approximately twenty percent of the children in the Bronx making this a major health crisis in the borough. The Bronx County rate of asthma is approximately four to five times greater than the national average and twenty-one times greater than some other areas in New York City. Sixty-six percent of the Bronx County's inhabited area is affected by major sources of pollution.

This legislation addresses the severe problem of asthma in the Bronx. by utilizing the talents of some of the best public health professionals in the State of New York by requiring the Department of Health to prepare what will be in affect a road map to address this pressing public health issue.

Prior legislative history

2009/2010- Senate & Assembly Referred to Health. 2011-2012- S.2745

Fiscal implications

None.

Effective date

This bill shall take effect the 120th day after becoming law.