Relates to extending the expiration of the September 11th worker protection task force act

1 Co-sponsor

• Jack M. Martins

BILL NUMBER:S4711 Revised 05/14/15

Title of bill

An act to amend chapter 104 of the laws of 2005, enacting the September 11th worker protection task force act, in relation to extending the expiration of such chapter

Purpose

To extend the September 11th Worker Protection Task Force Act until June 10, 2020.

Summary of provisions

Section 1 of this bill amends section 11 of part B of chapter 104 of the laws of 2005, which were also amended by chapter 361 of the laws of 2010, to extend the September 11th Worker Protection Task Force Act until June 10, 2020.

Section 2 of this bill provides that this act shall take effect imme- diately.

Justification

The Task Force has been very successful in identifying additional issues that have arisen from the rescue, recovery and clean-up of the former World Trade Center site but there are still issues to be addressed therefore it is necessary to extend the Task Force for an additional five years.

The Task Force was charged with and will continue to monitor workers and retirees and provide recommendations:

Duties: The task force shall have the following duties relating to work- ers who participated in the World Trade Center rescue, recovery and cleanup:

* to obtain from the department of health and the New York City depart- ment of health, such departments' review of statistical and qualitative data on the prevalence and incidence of sickness, illness and disability of such workers;

* to obtain from other sources reviews of statistical and qualitative data on the prevalence and incidence of sickness, illness and disability of such workers; assess based upon evidence presented, the nature, scope and magnitude of the health impacts caused by exposure to air and elements;

* measure the adverse health effects of exposure on such workers;

* to consult with any organization, health institution, governmental agency or person including, but not limited to, the department of health, the department of health of the city of New York, the federal department of health, the department of environmental conservation, the federal environmental protection agency, the New York committee for occupational safety and health and the occupational safety and health administration;

* to identify and examine the limitations of any existing laws, regu- lations, programs, and services with regard to coverage, extent of disa- bility, process for determination, adequacy of coverage and treatment of specific types of disabilities and to undertake any recommendations; and

* to receive and to consider reports and testimony from individuals, the health department, community-based organizations, voluntary health organizations, and other public and private organizations statewide to learn more about the diagnosis, care, and treatment of such workers at these designated sites.

Legislative history

New Bill

Fiscal implications

None to the State

Effective date

This act shall take effect immediately.