What's happening
This bill directs the New York State Department of Health to study asthma rates in Brooklyn and develop a plan to address them.
Why it matters
Targets root causes. By requiring an analysis of income, race, housing type, and proximity to pollution sources, the bill aims to uncover the underlying factors contributing to asthma rates, not just the symptoms.
Focuses on environmental justice. The emphasis on neighborhoods most at risk—and the inclusion of factors like public vs. private housing and nearby pollution sources—means the bill could help address longstanding health disparities in marginalized communities.
Evaluates healthcare system effectiveness. The plan will assess how well current medical facilities are serving affected populations, potentially identifying gaps in care or access that could be improved.
Sets a timeline for action. By mandating both a 12-month deadline for completion and a requirement to report results within 18 months, the bill seeks to spur timely government action and accountability.
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Who cares
Headline styles
Study Brooklyn Asthma Rates
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
No co-sponsors yet.
History
- Vetoed memo.233
- Delivered to governor
- Returned to senate
- Passed assembly
- Ordered to third reading rules cal.126
- Substituted for A947
- Referred to ways and means
- Delivered to assembly
- Passed senateVote 61–0
- Ordered to third reading cal.1493
- Committee discharged and committed to rules
- Reported and committed to finance
Show 1 earlier action
- Referred to health
Companion bill
The same bill in the other chamber. A bill becomes law when one version passes both houses and the governor signs it, so either number can carry it.
Study Brooklyn Asthma Rates
Assembly Floor Calendar · Sponsor Jo Anne Simon
Full text
1 pageUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
5770
2017-2018 Regular Sessions
IN SENATE
April 28, 2017
Introduced by Sen. HAMILTON -- read twice and ordered printed, and when printed to be committed to the Committee on Health
AN ACT to direct the New York state department of health to conduct a study on the high incidence of asthma and related pulmonary disorders in the borough of Brooklyn in the city of New York and to prepare a remedial plan
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assembly, do enact as follows:
Section 1. The commissioner of the New York state department of health is hereby authorized and directed to prepare or have prepared a study of and a remedial plan for the high incidence of asthma and related pulmonary disorders in the borough of Brooklyn in the city of New York. Such study shall include an analysis of high risk neighborhoods examining disparities in: income, race and ethnicity, public and private housing, proximity to major sources of air pollution, including, but not limited to, highly trafficked roadways and solid waste processing facilities, and an evaluation of the effectiveness of existing medical facilities.
§ 2. Such study and remedial plan shall be completed within twelve months of the effective date of this act.
§ 3. This act shall take effect on the one hundred twentieth day after it shall have become a law and the results of such study and the remedial plan shall be provided to the governor and the legislature no later than eighteen months from the beginning of such study.
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD00791-01-7
Reflowed for reading: line numbers and page breaks removed. Cite the official text.
Sponsor's memo
Title of bill
An act to direct the New York state department of health to conduct a study on the high incidence of asthma and related pulmonary disorders in the borough of Brooklyn in the city of New York and to prepare a remedial plan
Purpose or general idea of bill
Purpose of the bill is to conduct a study of the incidence of asthma and related pulmonary disorders in the borough of Brooklyn in the City of New York and to provide the Governor and the Legislature with a remedial plan that addresses the needs of high risk neighborhoods by examining the inequities in: income, public and private housing, race and ethnicity, proximity to major sources of air pollution, including but not limited to, highly trafficked roadways and solid waste processing facilities, and an evaluation of the effectiveness of existing medical facilities in the treatment of these pulmonary disorders.
Summary of specific provisions
This bill directs the Commissioner of the New York State Department of Health to prepare a remedial plan to address high incidents of asthma and other pulmonary disorders in the borough of Brooklyn in the city of New York. The study is to be completed within twelve months of the effective date of this act.
Justification
Asthma alone affects more than one million people in the state of New York. Recent studies point to a strong connection between high asthma rates and socioeconomic status, and several Brooklyn neighborhoods have a far higher rate of emergency room visits and hospitalizations for asthma and other related pulmonary illnesses.
Prior legislative history
New Legislation
Fiscal implications
None
Effective date
This act shall take effect on the one hundred twentieth day after it shall have become a law and the results of such study and the remedial plan shall be provided to the governor and the legislature on later than eighteen months from the beginning of such study.
Summaries, headlines and scores are AI-generated from the official bill text. How we score bills. Source: NYS Open Legislation.