BILL NUMBER: S9282
SPONSOR: HINCHEY
 
TITLE OF BILL:
An act to amend the public health law, in relation to tick-borne disease
prevention grants
 
PURPOSE:
To provide State support for a demonstration program for reducing Lyme
and Tick exposure on public land.
 
SUMMARY OF PROVISIONS:
Section 1 amends section 2798 of the public health law to authorize the
Department of Health to make grants pursuant to the new section 2799.
Section 2 establishes a new public health law section 2799 authorizing
the Commissioner of Health, in consultation with the Commissioners of
Environmental Conservation and Parks, to make grants within amounts
appropriated for purposes of preventing transmission of tick-borne
diseases on public lands frequented by humans. Section further spells
out criteria for grant review and requires an annual report.
Section 3 establishes an immediate effective date.
 
JUSTIFICATION:
Lyme and other tick-borne diseaSes are a major and growing threat to the
health of New Yorkers. There are increasing types of products to address
this ranging from sprays to vaccines for animals to other emerging
products. New York researchers are leading prevention efforts including
advanced product production and development through groups like the Cary
Institute of Ecosystem studies.
The State of Delaware recently passed legislation enacting a State Lyme
disease intervention demonstration program aiming to support Lyme
response on public lands. Modeled on the Delaware approach, this bill
authorizes the Commissioner of Health in consultation with the Commis-
sioners of Parks and Environmental Conservation to make grants in
amounts appropriated for purposes of preventing transmission of tick-
borne diseases on public land frequented by humans, such as State parks
and trails.
The bill envisions demonstration programs for different products to
determine effectiveness and potential for wider utilization across State
lands. The Commissioners are to review grant applications with the
applicants providing evidence of effectiveness in reducing tick-borne
diseases, human and animal safety, minimal invasiveness in the natural
environment, and cost effectiveness
 
LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:
New bill.
 
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS:
Subject to appropriation.
 
EFFECTIVE DATE:
This act shall take effect immediately.