What's happening
This bill directs the New York State Department of Health to study and address high asthma rates in Brooklyn.
Why it matters
Targets root causes. By requiring analysis of factors like income, race, housing type, and proximity to pollution sources, the study aims to address not just asthma rates, but the underlying social and environmental causes, which could lead to more effective, long-term solutions.
Focuses on high-risk neighborhoods. The bill mandates particular attention to neighborhoods most affected by asthma, increasing the likelihood that resources and interventions will be directed where they are needed most, rather than applying a one-size-fits-all approach.
Assesses current healthcare effectiveness. Evaluating existing medical facilities for their ability to address asthma and related disorders could reveal service gaps or inefficiencies, leading to improved healthcare delivery for vulnerable populations in Brooklyn.
Establishes clear timelines and accountability. By requiring the study and plan to be completed within set deadlines and reported to state leadership, the bill creates a framework for follow-up and potential action, rather than allowing the issue to remain unaddressed.
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Who cares
New York State Department of Health
The commissioner would be required to prepare or commission a study and remedial plan addressing Brooklyn’s high incidence of asthma and related pulmonary disorders.
Brooklyn residents with asthma and related pulmonary disorders
The study would examine high-risk neighborhoods for disparities in income, race and ethnicity, housing and proximity to major air pollution sources.
Brooklyn medical facilities
The study would evaluate the effectiveness of existing medical facilities as part of developing a remedial plan.
Governor and state legislators
They would receive the study results and remedial plan no later than eighteen months after the study begins.
Headline styles
Study Brooklyn Asthma Rates
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
1 Co-sponsor
History
- Reported and committed to finance
- Referred to health
Full text
1 pageUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
7644
IN SENATE
February 2, 2018
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 ethnici- ty, proximity to major sources of air pollution, including but not limited to, highly trafficked roadways and solid waste processing facil- ities, and an evaluation of the effectiveness of existing medical facil- ities 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.