File #: Int 2219-2021    Version: * Name: Guidelines for disinfecting and sanitizing clothing worn in medical facilities during public health emergencies.
Type: Introduction Status: Filed (End of Session)
Committee: Committee on Health
On agenda: 2/11/2021
Enactment date: Law number:
Title: A Local Law to amend the administrative code of the city of New York, in relation to guidelines for disinfecting and sanitizing clothing worn in medical facilities during public health emergencies
Sponsors: Peter A. Koo, Kalman Yeger
Council Member Sponsors: 2
Summary: This bill would require the Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (“DOHMH”) to develop voluntary guidelines for medical facilities regarding the disinfection and sanitation of clothing during public health emergencies. Such guidelines would include recommended best practices of medical facility staff, patients, and visitors to such facilities. Such guidelines would be distributed to medical facilities in the City, posted on the DOHMH website, and submitted to the Mayor and Speaker of the Council. This bill would also require DOHMH to develop voluntary guidelines for medical facilities regarding clothing disinfection and sanitation in response to the new coronavirus disease, COVID-19, by the bill’s effective date.
Attachments: 1. Summary of Int. No. 2219, 2. Int. No. 2219, 3. February 11, 2021 - Stated Meeting Agenda with Links to Files, 4. Hearing Transcript - Stated Meeting 2-11-21, 5. Minutes of the Stated Meeting - February 11, 2021

Int. No. 2219

 

By Council Members Koo and Yeger

 

A Local Law to amend the administrative code of the city of New York, in relation to guidelines for disinfecting and sanitizing clothing worn in medical facilities during public health emergencies

 

Be it enacted by the Council as follows:

 

Section 1. Title 17 of the administrative code of the city of New York is amended by adding a new chapter 20 to read as follows:

CHAPTER 20

PUBLIC HEALTH EMERGENCY RESPONSE

§ 17-2001 Definitions. For the purposes of this chapter, the following terms have the following meanings:

COVID-19. The term “COVID-19” means the 2019 novel coronavirus or 2019-nCoV.

Public health emergency. The term “public health emergency” means a state of emergency declared by the governor or the mayor in response to an outbreak of an infectious disease.

§ 17-2002 Clothing disinfection and sanitation guidelines for medical facilities.

a. In general. 1. No later than 14 days after a declaration of a public health emergency, except as otherwise provided in subdivision b, the department shall develop voluntary guidelines regarding best practices for the disinfection and sanitation of clothing that has been worn in a medical facility during such public health emergency, including but not limited to guidance for medical facility staff, patients and visitors to such facilities. Such guidance shall, at a minimum, include recommended methods for effectively disinfecting and sanitizing clothing, and shall include guidance on whether wearing medical clothing, such as medical scrubs, in public poses a substantial risk to public health or safety.

2. Within 48 hours of developing guidelines required by subdivision a, the department shall submit them to the mayor and the speaker of the council, shall publish them conspicuously on the department’s website, and shall distribute them to every medical facility in the city.

b. Concerning COVID-19. 1. No later than the effective date of this chapter, the department shall develop guidelines that address the requirements of subdivision a and are specific to COVID-19.

2. Within 48 hours of developing such guidelines, the department shall submit them to the mayor and the speaker of the council, shall publish them conspicuously on the department’s website, and shall distribute them to every medical facility in the city.

§ 2. This local law takes effect 30 days after it becomes law.

 

 

 

 

 

 

CP

LS #16494

11/25/20 10:16 AM