Int. No. 1036

By Council Members Eugene, Barron, James, Nelson and Palma

A Local Law to amend the administrative code of the city of New York, in relation to establishing a telephone medical advice service.

Be it enacted by the Council as follows:

Section 1.  Chapter 1 of title 17 of the administrative code of the city of New York is amended by adding a new section 17-196 to read as follows:

§ 17-196 Telephone medical advice service. a. Definitions. 1. “Health care professional” shall mean (i) a licensed, certified or registered nurse, licensed practical nurse or certified nurse practitioner, who is licensed, certified or registered pursuant to article 139 of the education law of the state of New York; or a physician or physician assistant who is licensed pursuant to article 131 or article 131-B, respectively, of the education law of the state of New York; and (ii) any such individual who is operating consistent with the laws governing his or her respective scopes of practice in the state of New York.

2. "Telephone medical advice” shall mean a telephonic communication between a health care professional and a member of the public in which the health care professional's principal function is to provide a telephonic response to the questions of the member of the public regarding his or her or a family member's medical care. Such term shall include assessment, evaluation, or advice provided during such conversations.

b. The department shall provide or contract for the provision of a telephone medical advice service available free to members of the public twenty-four hours per day, seven days per week.

§ 2. This local law shall take effect one hundred and eight days after its enactment into law, provided that the commissioner may promulgate any rules necessary for implementing and carrying out the provisions of this local law prior to its effective date.

AMS

LS # 7357

6/23/09