This bill mandates the registration, inspection, testing, cleaning, and disinfection of cooling towers to mitigate the risk of Legionnaires Disease, a serious respiratory illness caused by Legionella bacteria. Building owners must register newly installed cooling towers with the Department of Health (DOH) before operation and register existing towers within 30 days of the bill's effective date. The registration process requires detailed information about the cooling tower and its intended use. Owners are also responsible for developing a maintenance program that adheres to manufacturer instructions and industry standards, ensuring that cooling towers are cleaned and disinfected after being shut down for more than five days, and conducting inspections and tests for microbial contamination at least quarterly.

Failure to comply with the bill's requirements can result in civil penalties ranging from $2,000 for first violations to $10,000 for violations leading to serious injury or death. The bill also stipulates that if microbial levels indicate a maintenance deficiency, owners must clean and disinfect the cooling tower within 48 hours, and within 24 hours if levels present a serious health threat. The DOH is authorized to establish fees for registration and certification, and the Commissioner of Health is required to submit annual reports detailing compliance and the incidence of Legionnaires Disease. Overall, the bill aims to enhance public health safety by enforcing stringent regulations on cooling tower maintenance and oversight.