S273-2011 Actions

• Jan 4, 2012: REFERRED TO HEALTH
• Jan 5, 2011: REFERRED TO HEALTH

S273-2011 Memo

BILL NUMBER:S273

TITLE OF BILL:
An act
to amend the public health law, in relation to establishing a bladder
cancer screening program for firefighters

PURPOSE:
To provide firefighters, and those in
related professions, a
mechanism for the early detection and/or screening for a significant
job related health risk: bladder cancer. Hazards to workers' health
of all types have been identified in the work place. Some of those
related to exposure to specifically known toxic organic compounds
have been shown to lead to the development of cancers, and
specifically cancer of the bladder, and similar tissues in the
urinary tract. Enactment of this legislation will make New York one of
the pioneering states in providing protection for its firefighters,
and those in related occupations, by providing a simple, accurate and
comprehensive ongoing screening program for the early detection of
this job related hazard.

SUMMARY OF PROVISIONS:
Section 1, amends Public
Health Law by adding
a new article 2799-jj, the Bladder Cancer Screening Program.
Section 2 is the effective date.

JUSTIFICATION:
There are approximately 50,000 new cases of bladder
cancer a year, about the same number as colon cancer, with
approximately 12,500 deaths. Since at least 1995 it has been known
that firefighters, and those in related occupations, are at a
clearly defined increased risk of the disease, compared to the
general population. That risk seems related to their inhalation
or skin absorption of toxic volatile organic materials generated from
burning structural materials encountered while fighting fires. On a
smaller scale, exposure to engine exhaust fumes from inadequate
ventilation systems in the fire houses are also a contributing
factor. Because of recent innovative and sophisticated technological
advances, a new comprehensive, accurate, and simple point-of-care
testing system is now available, making it possible to easily test
those at risk and to develop a database for those individuals to
"track" results and make early detection more likely. As with any
malignancy, the earlier it can be identified, the more effective the
treatment and long term control. Furthermore, the pain and suffering
of the individual, as well as the economic costs to society, are
reduced. This legislation is a necessary step we must
take to protect the health of the brave individuals who risk their
lives daily to secure the safety and well-being of the general public.

LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:
S.2152 of 2009/2010; Referred to Health
S.954/A.3327 of 2007/2008; Referred to Health Committee
S.6283-A/A.11344 of 2006; Reported and Committed to Finance

FISCAL IMPLICATIONS:


To be determined.

EFFECTIVE DATE:
This act shall take effect immediately.

S273-2011 Text

 S T A T E   O F   N E W   Y O R K
 
 
                                          273
 2011-2012 Regular Sessions
 I N  SENATE
 (PREFILED)
 January 5, 2011
 
 Introduced  by  Sens.  MAZIARZ,  ALESI,  DIAZ, JOHNSON -- read twice and
 ordered printed, and when printed to be committed to the Committee  on
 Health
 AN  ACT  to  amend  the public health law, in relation to establishing a
 bladder cancer screening program for firefighters
 THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK, REPRESENTED IN SENATE AND  ASSEM
 BLY, DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS:

 

Section  1.  The  public health law is amended by adding a new article
 27-JJ to read as follows:

 ARTICLE 27-JJ
 BLADDER CANCER SCREENING PROGRAM; FIREFIGHTERS
 

S 2799-JJ. BLADDER CANCER SCREENING PROGRAM; FIREFIGHTERS.
 

S 2799-JJ.  BLADDER  CANCER  SCREENING  PROGRAM;  FIREFIGHTERS.    THE
 COMMISSIONER  SHALL ESTABLISH, PROMOTE AND MAINTAIN A PUBLIC INFORMATION
 PROGRAM REGARDING THE INCIDENCE OF BLADDER  CANCER  IN  FIREFIGHTERS  IN
 ORDER  TO ENCOURAGE SUCH PERSONS TO SEEK MEDICAL CARE FOR THE PREVENTION
 OR TREATMENT OF ANY MALIGNANT  CONDITIONS  RESULTING  FROM  OCCUPATIONAL
 EXPOSURE  TO  HAZARDOUS  MATERIALS.    SUCH  PROGRAM  SHALL BE CONDUCTED
 THROUGHOUT THE STATE AND SHALL INCLUDE, BUT NOT BE LIMITED  TO,  PRE-EM
 PLOYMENT  TESTING, ANNUAL TESTING, AND OTHER FOLLOW-UP TESTING AS MAY BE
 RECOMMENDED BY THE DEPARTMENT; DATA  COLLECTION  OF  ALL  INCIDENCES  OF
 BLADDER  CANCER  IN  FIREFIGHTERS AND RELATED PROFESSIONS IN THIS STATE;
 AND A PROGRAM OF EDUCATION FOR SUCH GROUPS.  ALL PARTICIPATION BY  FIRE
 FIGHTERS  IN THE PROGRAM ESTABLISHED IN THIS SECTION SHALL BE VOLUNTARY.
 SUCH PROGRAM SHALL EMPHASIZE THE NEED FOR ANNUAL TESTING AND THE NEED TO
 REMAIN INFORMED ABOUT ADDITIONAL DEVELOPMENTS CONCERNING  LINKS  BETWEEN
 FIREFIGHTERS'  OCCUPATIONAL  EXPOSURE TO HAZARDOUS MATERIALS AND BLADDER
 CANCER.
 EXPLANATION--Matter in ITALICS (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
 [ ] is old law to be omitted.
 LBD01661-01-1
 
       S. 273                              2
 THE COMMISSIONER SHALL DESIGNATE AND MAY  ENTER  INTO  CONTRACTS  WITH
 PROVIDERS OF HEALTH CARE AND/OR BLADDER CANCER TESTING MATERIALS FOR THE
 PURPOSE OF ESTABLISHING REGIONAL SCREENING PROGRAMS FOR FIREFIGHTERS AND
 RELATED  PROFESSIONS. IN SELECTING SUCH PROVIDER, THE COMMISSIONER SHALL
 CONSIDER  SUCH  PROVIDER'S  COMPLIANCE WITH STATE AND FEDERAL STANDARDS,
 SUCH PROVIDER'S LOCATION IN RELATION  TO  GEOGRAPHICAL  DISTRIBUTION  OF
 FIREFIGHTERS,  AND  THE CAPACITY OF SUCH PROVIDER TO PROPERLY SCREEN FOR
 BLADDER CANCER USING THE MOST ACCURATE AND ECONOMICALLY EFFICIENT  MEANS
 AVAILABLE.
 THE  DEPARTMENT  SHALL MAKE AN ANNUAL REPORT TO THE LEGISLATURE OF ITS
 FINDINGS AND RECOMMENDATIONS CONCERNING THE  EFFECTIVENESS,  IMPACT  AND
 BENEFITS  DERIVED FROM SUCH SPECIAL PROGRAMS. SUCH REPORT SHALL BE FILED
 WITH THE ASSEMBLY ON OR BEFORE THE  FIRST  DAY  OF  FEBRUARY  AND  SHALL
 CONTAIN EVALUATIONS OF SUCH SPECIAL PROGRAMS, AND ANY RECOMMENDED LEGIS
 LATION.
 

S 2. This act shall take effect immediately.

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