BILL NUMBER: S1880
SPONSOR: WALCZYK
 
TITLE OF BILL:
An act directing the commissioner of the division of homeland security
and emergency services to conduct a study on the state's COVID-19
pandemic response
 
PURPOSE OR GENERAL IDEA OF BILL:
Directing the commissioner of the division of homeland security and
emergency services to conduct a study on the state's COVID-19 pandemic
response.
 
SUMMARY OF PROVISIONS:
Section 1: Directs the commissioner of the division of homeland security
and emergency services to conduct a study on the state's COVID-19
pandemic response. Includes criteria that said after action review must
include.
Section 2: Provides for the distribution of said report to both govern-
ment officials and the public at large.
Section 3: Sets the effective date.
 
JUSTIFICATION:
The New York State government made many errors in its handling of the
COVID-19 pandemic. For example, many senior citizens died in nursing
homes as a result of the state's missteps. Because of uncertainties,
students also lost valuable time in the classroom with their peers and
teachers. These are just two issues out of several that state leaders
have not addressed in the aftermath of the pandemic. This bill would
create an after action review (AAR) of the state's COVID-19 performance.
Numerous criterion would be used to gauge where New York fell short, and
where it could do better.
It is a certainty that another pandemic will happen. While one cannot
say when it will happen, it is imperative that New York State be
prepared for it. Therefore, performing an AAR for the state's COVID-19
response is critical to make sure mistakes of the past are not repeated.
 
PRIOR LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:
A7102/S5718-A (2023): Referred to Veterans, Homeland Security, and Mili-
tary Affairs
 
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS FOR STATE AND LOCAL GOVERNMENTS:
Minimal cost to pay for the study.
 
EFFECTIVE DATE:
This act shall take effect immediately.