What's happening
This bill requires New York health institutions to restrict or eliminate trans fat use in food prepared for clients or patients.
Why it matters
Targets health outcomes in vulnerable populations. By requiring hospitals, nursing homes, and other health facilities to restrict or eliminate trans fats, the bill aims to protect patients and clients who may already be at higher risk for heart disease or other health issues linked to trans fat consumption.
Mandates statewide health standards. The law empowers the Department of Health to set consistent, enforceable rules across all institutions under its jurisdiction, potentially leading to uniform food quality and safety standards in places caring for New Yorkers.
Requires public accountability. Annual reporting to state leaders on progress and recommendations increases transparency and pressures health institutions to comply, while also providing data to guide future public health policy.
Defines trans fat clearly for enforcement. By specifying that trans fat refers to hydrogenated fats, the bill avoids ambiguity, making it easier for institutions to comply and for regulators to enforce the rules.
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Who cares
State Department of Health
The commissioner would have to adopt trans fat restrictions or elimination rules within one year of the bill’s effective date, and the department would report annually on implementation and recommendations.
Institutions under Department of Health jurisdiction
Institutions that prepare meals on site or subcontract for meals would have to restrict or eliminate trans fat in those foods under the new rules.
Contract meal providers
Providers preparing meals for covered institutions would need to account for the trans fat requirements in the food they supply.
Clients, patients and patrons of covered institutions
Their prepared meals would be subject to rules restricting or eliminating trans fat.
Headline styles
Ban Trans Fats in Institutions
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
History
- Referred to health
- Referred to health
Full text
1 pageUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
3295
2019-2020 Regular Sessions
IN ASSEMBLY
January 29, 2019
Introduced by M. of A. ORTIZ -- read once and referred to the Committee on Health
AN ACT to amend the public health law, in relation to authorizing and directing the commissioner of health to adopt rules and regulations requiring the restriction or elimination of the use of trans fat in institutions under its jurisdiction
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assembly, do enact as follows:
Section 1. Subdivision 1 of section 206 of the public health law is amended by adding a new paragraph (w) to read as follows:
(w) establish rules and regulations to require any institution under the department's jurisdiction, that also prepares on site, or subcontracts for, meals to its clients, patients or patrons, to restrict or eliminate the use of trans fat from such prepared foods. For purposes of this paragraph, "trans fat" means a specific type of fat formed when liquid fats are made into solid fats by the addition of hydrogen atoms, in a process known as hydrogenation.
§ 2. The commissioner of health shall adopt such rules and regulations not later than one year after the effective date of this act. The department of health's annual report to the governor, the temporary president of the senate and the speaker of the assembly shall include a report assessing the successful implementation of such rules and regulations in reducing and eliminating the use of trans fat in food preparation, and any recommendations relating thereto.
§ 3. This act shall take effect immediately.
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD07225-01-9
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.