Int. No. 1970
By Council Members Holden and Powers
A Local Law to amend the administrative code of the city of New York, in relation to requiring the department of health and mental hygiene to report on the number of cases of communicable disease during a state of emergency
Be it enacted by the Council as follows:
Section 1. Chapter 1 of title 17 of the administrative code of the city of New York is amended by adding a new section 17-199.14 to read as follows:
§ 17-199.14 Reporting cases of communicable disease during a state of emergency. a. Definitions. For purposes of this section, the following terms have the following meanings:
Communicable disease. The term “communicable disease” means an illness caused by an infectious agent or its toxins that occurs through the direct or indirect transmission of the infectious agent or its products from an infected individual or via an animal, vector or the inanimate environment to a susceptible animal or human host.
Local state of emergency. The term “local state of emergency” means the period of time during which a proclamation issued by the mayor, declaring a local state of emergency pursuant to section 24 of the executive law, is in effect.
Public health emergency. The term “public health emergency” means the period of time during which a declaration issued by the commissioner, declaring a public health emergency pursuant to section 3.01 of the New York city health code, is in effect.
b. During a local state of emergency or a public health emergency related to an outbreak of a communicable disease, the department shall, as soon as practicable, publish on its website and regularly update the following information regarding cases of such communicable disease in the city:
1. The total number of diagnosed cases of such communicable disease, disaggregated by borough and zip code of residence; and
2. The total number of diagnostic tests performed for such communicable disease, disaggregated by borough and zip code of residence.
c. No information that is otherwise required to be reported pursuant to subdivision b of this section shall be reported if the commissioner determines that such reporting would compromise the privacy of personally identifiable information or would interfere with, delay or otherwise affect the department’s ability to take such actions necessary to address a local state of emergency or a public health emergency.
d. Within 24 hours of making a determination pursuant to subdivision c of this section, the commissioner shall provide notice of such determination, including the basis for such determination, by electronic mail to the mayor and the speaker of the council.
§ 2. This local law takes effect immediately.
MHL
LS #14551; 14608
05/07/20