What's happening
This bill requires utilities in New York to study and report on the potential health risks of smart meters.
Why it matters
Mandates utilities to directly assess health risks. By requiring utilities themselves—not just independent researchers or state agencies—to study smart meter health impacts, the bill places responsibility on those deploying the technology to evaluate potential safety concerns like electromagnetic radiation or other effects.
Promotes transparency and public accountability. Utilities must submit their findings to the Public Service Commission, which then compiles and publicly reports the results to both the governor and legislature. This process creates an official, accessible record for policymakers and the public.
Could influence future utility practices and regulation. Depending on the findings, this study may lead to new recommendations or rules on how smart meters are installed and operated, potentially affecting utility infrastructure, customer choice, or public health safeguards.
Establishes a timeline for action and review. The bill sets clear deadlines—utilities must report within a year, and the commission must follow up within eighteen months—ensuring that the issue is addressed promptly rather than left open-ended.
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Who cares
Headline styles
Study Smart Meter Health Risks
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
1 Co-sponsor
History
- Referred to energy and telecommunications
- Referred to rules
Full text
1 pageUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
6692
2019-2020 Regular Sessions
IN SENATE
September 6, 2019
Introduced by Sen. PARKER -- read twice and ordered printed, and when printed to be committed to the Committee on Rules
AN ACT directing utilities to study the potential health risks and effects of smart meters; and providing for the repeal of such provisions upon expiration thereof
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assembly, do enact as follows:
Section 1. Public health study of smart meters. 1. Definition. For the purposes of this section, "smart meter" shall mean a meter that records electrical or natural gas consumption in real-time or over short intervals and communicates such information to a utility through a two-way information exchange.
2. Utilities operating in the state and offering smart meters shall conduct a study of the potential health risks and effects of smart meters including, but not limited to, the risks and effects of the installation of such smart meters, and recommended safe practices associated with the use of smart meters.
3. Not later than one year after the effective date of this act, each utility shall report to the public service commission on its findings. Not later than eighteen months after the effective date of this act, the public service commission shall prepare a comprehensive report to the governor and the legislature setting forth and evaluating the findings of such utilities.
§ 2. This act shall take effect on the ninetieth day after it shall have become a law, and shall expire and be deemed repealed two years after such effective date.
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD13619-01-9
Reflowed for reading: line numbers and page breaks removed. Cite the official text.
Sponsor's memo
Title of bill
An act directing utilities to study the potential health risks and effects of smart meters; and providing for the repeal of such provisions upon expiration thereof
Purpose
This bill will direct utilities and the public service commission to study the effects, and potential health risks associated with smart meters.
Summary of provisions
1. This act will be directing all utilities operating in the state of New York and offering smart meters shall conduct a study of the poten- tial health risks and effects of smart meters.
2. Each utility shall submit their report to the public service commis- sion, no later than a year after the effective date of this act. More- over, the public service commission shall prepare a comprehensive report to be sent to the governor, and the legislature, no later than eighteen months after the effective date of this act.
3. The act shall take effect immediately.
Justification
The health risks posed by smart meters has been the subject of studies by many different governments around the world. This is because of the known radiofrequencies emitted by these devices. There are many of these devices installed all across the state of New York. Hence, it is imper- ative to have a study, which gives New Yorkers a comprehensive result on how these devices will affect their health and wellbeing.
Legislative history
New bill.
Fiscal implications
To be determined.
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.