What's happening
This bill requires every New York county to have at least one ambulance and trained emergency medical technicians equipped to transport individuals weighing 500 pounds or more.
Why it matters
Addresses the growing need for specialized emergency response. by ensuring that all counties are equipped to handle medical emergencies involving individuals with severe obesity, a population with higher health risks and potentially greater need for timely hospital transport.
Reduces disparities in emergency medical care. for people who weigh 500 pounds or more, who may otherwise face delays or inadequate service due to lack of appropriate equipment or trained personnel in their county.
Potentially improves outcomes for obese patients. by mandating training for emergency medical technicians (EMTs) in safely transporting heavier patients, thereby reducing the risk of injury to both patients and responders during emergency situations.
May require new investments by counties. in specialized ambulances and equipment, as well as ongoing training for EMTs, which could have budgetary and logistical impacts at the local government level.
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Who cares
Headline styles
Require Obese-Ready Ambulances
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
No co-sponsors yet.
History
- Referred to local government
- Referred to local government
Full text
1 pageUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
2117
2019-2020 Regular Sessions
IN SENATE
January 22, 2019
Introduced by Sen. SANDERS -- read twice and ordered printed, and when printed to be committed to the Committee on Local Government
AN ACT to amend the general municipal law, in relation to requiring counties to have ambulance vehicle and emergency medical technicians trained to transport a person of five hundred pounds or more
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assembly, do enact as follows:
Section 1. According to the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, nearly two-thirds of U.S. adults are overweight, and one-third are obese. Overweight and obesity are known risk factors for numerous illnesses, including diabetes, heart disease, stroke, hypertension, gallbladder disease, osteoarthritis, breathing problems and some forms of cancer. As a result, overweight people have greater health care needs than the general population.
This state's ambulance services, however, may not be sufficiently prepared to assist morbidly obese New Yorkers. Anecdotal evidence indicates that fire departments have been unable to provide proper emergency medical transport to this population.
§ 2. Section 122-b of the general municipal law is amended by adding a new subdivision 6 to read as follows:
6. Any county of this state shall have at least one ambulance vehicle located in the county with proper equipment and emergency medical technicians trained to transport a person of five hundred pounds or more.
§ 3. This act shall take effect immediately.
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD06145-01-9
Reflowed for reading: line numbers and page breaks removed. Cite the official text.
Sponsor's memo
Title of bill
An act to amend the general municipal law, in relation to requiring counties to have ambulance vehicle and emergency medical technicians trained to transport a person of five hundred pounds or more
Purpose
To require each county to have at least one ambulance vehicle located in the county to transport a person of five hundred pounds or more.
Summary of provisions
Section 1 contains the legislative findings.
Section 2 amends the general municipal law by adding a new subdivision 6 providing any county of this state shall have at least one ambulance located in the county with proper equipment and emergency medical tech- nicians trained to transport a person of five hundred pounds or more.
Section 3 provides this act shall take effect immediately.
Existing law
New law
Justification
According to the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, nearly two thirds of U.S. adults are overweight, and one third are obese. Overweight and obesity are known risk factors for numerous illnesses, including diabetes, heart disease, stroke, hypertension, gallbladder disease, osteoarthritis, breathing problems and some forms of cancer. As a result, overweight people have greater health care needs than the general population.
This state's ambulance services, however, may not be sufficiently prepared to assist morbidly obese New Yorkers. Anecdotal evidence indi- cates that fire departments have been unable to provide proper emergency medical transport to this population.
Legislative history
01/27/16 Referred to Local Government
Fiscal implications
None
Local fiscal implications
Undetermined
Effective date
This act shall take effect immediately.
Summaries, headlines and scores are AI-generated from the official bill text. How we score bills. Source: NYS Open Legislation.