BILL NUMBER: S9045
SPONSOR: PARKER
 
TITLE OF BILL:
An act to amend the public health law, in relation to enacting the
"public health resilience, early-warning, and planning (PREP) act"
 
PURPOSE OR GENERAL IDEA OF BILL:
The purpose of this bill is to strengthen New York State's ability to
anticipate, prepare for, and respond to public health threats by estab-
lishing a coordinated framework for early warning, preparedness plan-
ning, and interagency coordination. The bill integrates climate-related
health risks, emerging infectious diseases, and outbreak intelligence
into a single preparedness system to ensure that New York can act earli-
er and more effectively to protect public health.
 
SUMMARY OF PROVISIONS:
Section 1 - Short Title
Section 2 - Legislative findings and intent
Section 3 - The Public health law is amended by adding a new section
206-c
Section 4 - Severability
Section 5 - Effective Date
 
JUSTIFICATION:
New York State faces increasingly complex public health threats driven
by climate conditions, global disease spread, and interconnected systems
that strain health care and emergency response capacity. Recent experi-
ences have demonstrated that early detection and advance planning save
lives, reduce costs, and prevent health system overload.
Currently, New York's public health preparedness efforts are fragmented
across multiple issue areas and agencies. This bill creates a unified,
forward-looking framework that allows the State to identify emerging
threats sooner and prepare more effectively.
The PREP Act does not grant any international body authority over New
York State. Participation in international surveillance networks such as
GOARN is voluntary, non-binding, and advisory, and is used solely to
improve situational awareness and preparedness. All decisions remain
fully under state control.
By emphasizing early warning and planning rather than emergency
reaction, this bill represents a cost-effective and responsible approach
to protecting public health.
 
PRIOR LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:
None.
 
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS:
Minimal. The bill primarily relies on existing public health infrastruc-
ture and personnel. Any implementation costs are expected to be modest
and offset by avoided emergency response and health care costs resulting
from improved preparedness.
 
EFFECTIVE DATE:
This act shall take effect immediately.