File #: Res 1550-2008    Version: * Name: Public Health Law by requiring coroners and medical examiners to identify each individual who died of injuries related to exposure to the World Trade Center during or after the September 11, 2001.
Type: Resolution Status: Filed
Committee: Committee on Health
On agenda: 7/23/2008
Enactment date: Law number:
Title: Resolution calling upon the State of New York to pass legislation that would amend the Public Health Law by requiring coroners and medical examiners to identify each individual who died of injuries related to exposure to the World Trade Center during or after the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks as a victim of the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks, and to note such information in the victims’ death certificate.
Sponsors: David I. Weprin, Tony Avella, Helen D. Foster, Vincent J. Gentile, Alan J. Gerson, Domenic M. Recchia, Jr., Letitia James
Council Member Sponsors: 7
Attachments: 1. Dear Colleague Letter, 2. Sign-on Form

Res. No. 1550

 

Resolution calling upon the State of New York to pass legislation that would amend the Public Health Law by requiring coroners and medical examiners to identify each individual who died of injuries related to exposure to the World Trade Center during or after the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks as a victim of the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks, and to note such information in the victims’ death certificate. 

 

By Council Members Weprin, Avella, Foster, Gentile, Gerson, Recchia Jr., and James

 

                     Whereas, The City of New York has an interest in recognizing those who died as a result of the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center; and

                     Whereas, Victims of the terrorist attacks and victims’ families may be entitled to benefits; and

                     Whereas, Many deaths occurred days after the attacks, including those of first responders who participated in search and rescue efforts; and

                     Whereas, The collapse of the World Trade Center caused a dust cloud and fires that continued to emit soot as late as mid December 2001 and further released about one million tons of dust and smoke into the air of New York City; and

                     Whereas, Currently, those who passed away several days after the attacks are documented in their death certificates as having died a “natural” death; and

Whereas, The Uniformed Emergency Medical Service Officers Union Local 3621 (Local 3621) reported that as of December 17, 2007, the New York City Medical Examiners Office (MEO) attributed only one death to exposure to the World Trade Center; and

Whereas, According to Local 3621, MEO considers the terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001 a cause of death exclusively where the deceased was present at the World Trade Center on September 11, 2001; and

Whereas, The Public Health Law outlines the form and content of death certificates, and also provides a protocol to address deaths that occur without medical attendance including the investigation and registration of these deaths by medical examiners and coroners; now, therefore, be it

                     Resolved, That the Council of the City of New York calls upon the State of New York to pass legislation that would amend the Public Health Law by requiring coroners and medical examiners to identify each individual who died of injuries related to exposure to the World Trade Center during or after the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks as a victim of the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks, and to note such information in the victims’ death certificate. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

R.C.

LS# 4464; LS# 4561

4/14/08