Relates to providing funding for combating legionnaires' disease in N.Y. city; appropriation

Title of bill

An act providing funding in cities having populations of one million or more for combating legionnaires' disease; appropriation

Purpose or general idea of bill

The purpose of the bill is to provide an appropriation of up to $50 million to cities with a population of one million to enable them to combat Legionnaires' disease.

Summary of provisions

Section 1 of the bill appropriates a sum of up to $50 million to the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene and the Department of Environmental Protection for the purpose of enforcing all laws, rules and regulations designed to combat Legionnaires' disease and requires that the funds be drawn from the local assistance account.

Section 2 provides for this act to take effect immediately.

Justification

During the summer of 2015 the City of New York experienced the worst outbreak of Legionnaires' disease in the history of our State's largest municipality. As of August 10, 2015, the outbreak had taken the lives of 12 New Yorkers and led to the hospitalization of 113 individuals with severe health complications directly attributable to the disease. Public health officials have stated that the deadly disease outbreak centered in the South Bronx resulted from mist from poorly maintained water cooling towers being inhaled by individuals with preexisting health conditions including compromised pulmonary and/ or immune systems.

While the latest outbreak of Legionnaires' disease is the largest and most deadly of its kind in New York history the disease has proven dangerous in the past with a dozen Bronx residents being sent to the hospital with Legionnaires' less than a year before. The recurring nature of the disease indicates the clear need to ensure that the appropriate professionals have the resources needed to protect the public health and prevent further deaths.

Focused on the importance of combating the severe form of pneumonia commonly known as Legionnaires' disease - this legislation appropriates up to $50 million to the city agencies that are most directly responsible for ensuring that the necessary inspection of water cooling towers take place in New York City.

Prior legislative history

New Legislation

Fiscal implications

Up to a maximum of $50 million in state funds will be spent with a much larger potential savings due to a reduction in the number of hospitalizations resulting from Legionnaires' disease.

Effective date

This act shall take effect immediately.