What's happening
This bill bans schools in New York from using, purchasing, or storing elemental mercury and requires public health materials on its hazards.
Why it matters
Reduces potential health risks. to students and staff by eliminating exposure to elemental mercury and mercury-containing instruments, which can be highly toxic if spilled or mishandled in school settings.
Promotes safer alternatives. by requiring schools to use mercury-free instruments whenever possible, and only allows minimal-mercury devices if no safe substitute exists—driving demand for modern, safer technology in education.
Mandates proper disposal and recycling. of existing mercury and mercury-containing items, ensuring hazardous materials are handled in an environmentally responsible way and preventing unsafe accumulation in schools.
Improves awareness and preparedness. by requiring educational materials on mercury hazards and mitigation to be distributed to all schools, empowering educators and students with knowledge to prevent accidents and respond effectively if incidents occur.
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Who cares
Headline styles
Ban Mercury in Schools
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
1 Co-sponsor
1 Multi-sponsor
History
- Referred to education
- Referred to education
Full text
2 pagesUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
5531
2017-2018 Regular Sessions
IN ASSEMBLY
February 10, 2017
Introduced by M. of A. ENGLEBRIGHT, COLTON -- Multi-Sponsored by -- M. of A. GOTTFRIED -- read once and referred to the Committee on Education
AN ACT to amend the education law, in relation to prohibiting the use, purchase and storage of elemental mercury by schools; and to amend the public health law, in relation to directing the commissioner of health to compile and distribute materials for schools on the hazards of elemental mercury and actions which may be taken to reduce such hazards
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assembly, do enact as follows:
Section 1. The education law is amended by adding a new section 409-m to read as follows:
§ 409-m. Elimination of the use of elemental mercury. 1. Except as otherwise provided in subdivision two of this section, no public or private school or educational institution in this state shall purchase, use or store any quantity of free flowing elemental mercury for any purpose, nor purchase, use or store any instrument which contains mercury including, but not limited to, thermometers, barometers, sphygmomanometers and manometers.
2. If no reasonably acceptable, mercury-free alternative exists for any instrument prohibited by subdivision one of this section, a school or educational institution may use such type of instrument which contains the lowest mercury content readily available on the market.
3. The commissioner, in consultation with the commissioner of environmental conservation, shall promulgate rules and regulations requiring public and private schools and educational institutions in this state to dispose of or recycle any quantity of elemental mercury and instruments containing mercury in a manner which is least harmful to the environment.
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD03342-02-7
A. 5531 2
§ 2. Section 206 of the public health law is amended by adding a new subdivision 31 to read as follows:
31. The commissioner shall compile, produce and distribute to all public and private schools and educational institutions in this state, materials explaining the hazards created by elemental mercury and actions that may be taken to reduce such hazards.
§ 3. This act shall take effect immediately, except that section one of this act shall take effect on the first of July next succeeding the date on which it shall have become a law.
Reflowed for reading: line numbers and page breaks removed. Cite the official text.
Summaries, headlines and scores are AI-generated from the official bill text. How we score bills. Source: NYS Open Legislation.