Relates to the frequency of submission of community health assessment reporting; requires a report no more frequently than every six years.
Summary
Bill S01716 aims to amend the public health law in New York by changing the frequency at which municipalities are required to submit community health assessments. Under the current law, municipalities must submit these assessments no more frequently than every two years. The proposed amendment would extend this period to no more than every six years, aligning the submission timeline with the state health improvement plan cycle.
Impact
If enacted, this bill would significantly reduce the frequency of community health assessments required from municipalities, potentially impacting how local health data is collected and utilized. This change may lead to less frequent updates on community health needs and resources, which could affect public health planning and funding at the local level.
Sentiment
The general sentiment around Bill S01716 appears to be mixed, with some stakeholders expressing concern about the potential reduction in health data availability, while others argue that the current requirement is burdensome for municipalities. The discussions indicate a need for balancing the administrative load on local governments with the necessity of timely health assessments.
Contention
Notable points of contention include the argument from some public health advocates who believe that less frequent assessments could hinder the state's ability to respond to emerging health issues. Conversely, proponents of the bill argue that the current two-year requirement is overly demanding and that extending the timeline would allow municipalities to allocate resources more effectively.
Removes the requirement that an employer has employed an average of one thousand or more persons in the past three years in order to pay less frequently than weekly, but not less frequently than semi-monthly; provides for damages for violations where the employer paid the employee wages on a regular payday, no less frequently than semi-monthly.
Establishes the small business working group to identify the twenty-five provisions of law or rules that are most frequently enforced through issuance of notices of violation and most frequently issued to small businesses; requires such working group to evaluate such provisions of law or rules to determine whether changes should be made to such provisions.
Authorizes the commissioner of health to make grants for purposes of preventing transmission of tick-borne diseases on public lands frequented by humans; requires the commissioner to submit an annual report on the performance of programs funded by such grants.