Declares racism a public health crisis; establishes a working group within the department of health to promote racial equity throughout the state and address issues related to racism as a public health crisis.
NEW YORK STATE ASSEMBLY MEMORANDUM IN SUPPORT OF LEGISLATION submitted in accordance with Assembly Rule III, Sec 1(f)
BILL NUMBER: A5679A REVISED 05/26/2021
SPONSOR: Darling TITLE OF BILL:
An act to declare racism a public health crisis and to establish a work-
ing group to promote racial equity throughout the state
PURPOSE:
To establish a racial equity working group to address issues related to
racism as a public health crisis.
SUMMARY OF PROVISIONS:
Section 1. Legislative finds and declaration.
Section 2. Establishes the racial-equity working group within the office
of the state commissioner of health.Section 3 provides that the working
group shall address issues related to racism as a public health crisis.
Section 4 provides that the working group shall consist of (a) the state
commissioner of health and his or her designee; (b) one member appointed
by the state commissioner of health; (c) two members appointed by the
governor; (d) one member appointed by the speaker of the assembly; (e)
one member appointed by the temporary president of the senate; (f) one
member appointed by the minority leader of the assembly; and (g) one
member appointed by the minority leader of the senate. Section 5. The
members of the working group shall receive no compensation for their
services, but shall be eligible to receive reimbursement for their
reasonable, actual and necessary expenses.Section 6. The working group
shall issue a report on its findings, including any legislative recom-
mendations to the governor, temporary president of the senate and speak-
er of the assembly by December 31, 2021 and biennially thereafter.
JUSTIFICATION:
Research has shown the impact of race on health disparities; we've seen
this during the COVID-19 pandemic. African-Americans, in particular,
have been disproportionately affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. Black
women are up to four times more likely to die of pregnancy-related
complications, and Black men are more than twice as likely to be killed
by police. The average life expectancy of African Americans is four
years lower than the rest of the U.S. population. This bill seeks to
get at the root of these numerous problems.
PRIOR LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:
None.
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS:
To be determined.
EFFECTIVE DATE:
Thirtieth day after it shall have become law.
