BILL NUMBER:S2745

TITLE OF BILL:
An act
to direct the New York state department of health to conduct a study
on the high incidence of asthma in the borough of the Bronx in the city
of New York and to prepare a remedial plan

PURPOSE OR GENERAL IDEA OF BILL:
The general purpose of the bill is to
ensure that the State Department of Health conducts a study of the
high incidence of asthma in the Borough of the Bronx in the City of
New York and provide the Governor and the Legislature with a remedial
plan addressing high risk neighborhoods by examining disparities in:
income, race and ethnicity, public and private housing, proximity to
major sources of air pollution, and an evaluation of the
effectiveness of existing medical facilities.

SUMMARY AND SPECIFIC PROVISIONS:
Section 1 of this bill directs the
Commissioner of the New York State Department of Health to prepare a
remedial plan to address high incidence of asthma in the Borough of
the Bronx in the City of New York.

Section 2 of this bill provides that a study and remedial plan shall
be completed within twelve months of the effective date of this act.
              

Section 3 of this bill provides that this act shall take effect on the
one hundred twentieth day after it shall have become law. The results
of the remedial plan shall be provided to the Governor and the
Legislature no later than eighteen months from the beginning of such
study.

JUSTIFICATION:
Asthma is a respiratory disease that kills nearly
255,000 people worldwide each year. Asthma also affects more than one
million people in the state of New York and approximately twenty
percent of the children in the Bronx making this a major health
crisis in the borough. The Bronx County rate of asthma is
approximately four to five times greater than the national average
and twenty-one times greater than some other areas in New York City.
Sixty-six percent of the Bronx County's inhabited area is affected by
major sources of pollution.

This legislation addresses the severe problem of asthma in the Bronx.
by utilizing the talents of some of the best public health
professionals in the State of New York by requiring the Department of
Health to prepare what will be in affect a road map to address this
pressing public health issue.

PRIOR LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:
2009/2010- Senate & Assembly Referred to Health.

FISCAL IMPLICATIONS:
None.


EFFECTIVE DATE:
This bill shall take effect the 120th day after becoming law.