File #: Int 1998-2020    Version: * Name: Creating a commission on infectious diseases.
Type: Introduction Status: Filed (End of Session)
Committee: Committee on Health
On agenda: 7/28/2020
Enactment date: Law number:
Title: A Local Law to amend the New York city charter, in relation to creating a commission on infectious diseases
Sponsors: Mathieu Eugene, Vanessa L. Gibson, Corey D. Johnson, Ben Kallos, Margaret S. Chin
Council Member Sponsors: 5
Summary: This bill would create a Commission on Infectious Diseases for the purpose of studying infectious diseases worldwide and developing citywide and agency-specific plans to address the risks that such diseases pose to public health. The Commission would meet at least twice each year, as well as during infectious disease related emergencies, and submit annual reports to the Mayor and the Council with recommendations containing proposed plans that the City may implement in the event of an epidemic, pandemic or other public health emergency related to infectious disease. The Commissioner of Emergency Management would be required to issue an annual report to confirm whether the City would adopt or reject the recommendations of the Commission in its preparations and response to infectious disease related emergencies.
Indexes: Agency Rule-making Required, Other Appointment Required, Report Required
Attachments: 1. Summary of Int. No. 1998, 2. Int. No. 1998, 3. July 28, 2020 - Stated Meeting Agenda with Links to Files, 4. Hearing Transcript - Stated Meeting 7-28-20, 5. Minutes of the Stated Meeting - July 28, 2020

Int. No. 1998

 

By Council Members Eugene, Gibson, The Speaker (Council Member Johnson), Kallos and Chin

 

A Local Law to amend the New York city charter, in relation to creating a commission on infectious diseases

 

Be it enacted by the Council as follows:

 

Section 1. Chapter 19-a of the New York city charter is amended by adding a new section 499 to read as follows:

§ 499. Commission on infectious diseases. a. There shall be a commission on infectious diseases to study and monitor the public health risks that such diseases pose and to make findings and recommendations to address, mitigate, contain and eliminate such risks, including, but not limited to, citywide and agency-specific plans that may be implemented in the course of epidemics, pandemics and other public health emergencies related to such diseases.

b. Such commission shall consist of 11 members who shall serve without compensation from the city. Members shall be appointed by, and serve at the pleasure of the mayor. Members shall include, but not be limited to epidemiologists, biostatisticians and other persons with expertise relevant to the purposes of the commission as described in subdivision a of this section, and to carrying out the powers and duties set forth in subdivision c of this section. The mayor shall designate one member to serve as chair of the commission. In the event of the death or resignation of any member, a successor shall be appointed by the mayor.

c. The commission shall have the power and duty to:

1. Hold meetings, which shall be publicly accessible, including (i) at least one meeting every six months; (ii) at least one meeting whenever, as determined by rule of the commission, an epidemic, pandemic or other public health emergency related to an infectious disease poses a substantial threat to public health in the city; and (iii) meetings of sufficient frequency throughout the course of any such emergency to achieve the commission’s purposes as described in subdivision a of this section;

2. Keep a record of its activities and post all such records on the department’s website;

3. Determine its own rules of procedure, including, but not limited to rules requiring a meeting of the commission whenever an epidemic, pandemic or other public health emergency related to an infectious disease poses a substantial threat to public health in the city, and to promote the uninterrupted functioning of the commission during any such emergency;

4. Study and monitor the nature and occurrence of infectious disease in epidemics, pandemics and other public health emergencies related to infectious disease worldwide;

5. Perform such advisory duties and functions as may be necessary to achieve its purposes as described in subdivision a of this section, including the power to issue advisory statements to agencies, and to respond to requests for information and recommendations for policy, rules or regulations from the heads of agencies; and

6. No later than April 1, 2021, and every year thereafter, submit to the mayor, the speaker of the council, the commissioner of health and mental hygiene and the commissioner of emergency management a report concerning its activities during the previous 12 months, including a summary of findings that result from the commission’s ongoing study of the public health risks of infectious diseases and any related recommendations for policy, legislation, rules or regulations. Such report shall include a summary of novel infectious diseases for the prior year; an assessment of the effects of all known domestic and international epidemics, pandemics and other public health emergencies related to infectious disease for the prior year and ongoing at the time such report is prepared; a summary and assessment of infectious diseases that pose a substantial risk to the public health of the city; all statements prepared by the commission and issued to agencies in the prior year; and recommendations for citywide and agency-specific plans to address, mitigate, contain and eliminate the public health risks of infectious disease.

d. Every year, no later than 120 days after receipt of the report required in paragraph 6 of subdivision c of this section, the commissioner of emergency management shall submit to the commission and post on the department’s website a statement:

1. Setting forth the commissioner’s adoption or rejection of each of the recommendations of the commission, including a detailed basis for each rejected recommendation, if any; and

2. Setting forth in detail the commissioner’s plan to incorporate the adopted recommendations of the commission, if any, in carrying out the commissioner’s powers and duties pursuant to section 497.

§ 2. This local law takes effect immediately.

 

NC

LS #1833/14480/14827/15087

7/23/20