2019 Legislative Agenda

NYSPHA is the New York State affiliate of the American Public Health Association and serves as a statewide organization representing members from all disciplines of public health. NYSPHA’s mission is to promote and protect the public’s health through networking, professional development, advocacy and education.

NYSACHO represents the collective voice of local health departments in New York State. NYSACHO’s mission is to support, advocate for, and empower local health departments in their work to promote health and wellness to prevent disease, disability and injury throughout New York State.

Together, we support the following legislation to increase immunizations and reduce tobacco use:

Increasing Immunizations, Support Exclusion of Any Non-Medical Exemptions for Vaccines

1. A.2371/S.2994 (Dinowitz/Hoylman): AN ACT to repeal subdivision 9 of section 2164 of the public health law, relating to exemption from vaccination.

**The above bills passed and were signed into law. 

Reducing Tobacco Use, Vaping Among Youth, and Secondhand Smoke

1. A.47/S.428 (Rosenthal/Hoylman): AN ACT to amend the public health law, in relation prohibiting the sale and distribution of flavored e-liquid for use in e-cigarettes (should be amended to include all flavored tobacco products and flavored e-cigs). 

2. A.389/S.592 (Galef/Carlucci): AN ACT to amend the public health law, in relation to enacting the “tobacco-free pharmacies act.”

3. A.2299/S.2655 (Dinowitz/Stavisky): AN ACT to amend the public health law, in relation to prohibiting smoking in certain outdoor areas.

4. A.4365/S.1148 (Rosenthal/Carlucci): AN ACT to amend the public health law, in relation to prohibiting the use of coupons or use of a “price reduction instrument” to lower the price of certain tobacco products.

 NYSPHA & NYSACHO have concerns and recommendations regarding the Marijuana Regulation and Taxation Act:

A.1617/S.1527 (Peoples-Stokes/Krueger): Our members have serious concerns related to the adverse impact an adult-use regulated cannabis program will have on public health. If this legislation is passed, it is imperative that adequate resources and safeguards are provided, to ensure that public health professionals on the front lines will have the tools needed to best protect the public from a variety of serious risks.

NYSPHA endorses Senate bill S.2629 and House bill H.R.4870 for the formation of a US Public Health Service Ready reserve corps 

NYSPHA memo of support for the flavored tobacco products bill in the NYS Legislature

11/6/2019: NYSPHA endorses Senate bill S.2629. Read the full letter here.

11/6/2019: NYSPHA endorses House bill H.R.4870. Read the full letter here

10/17/2019: NYSPHA supports need for a bill to create a U.S. Public Health Service Ready Reserve Corps. Read the full letter here.

Creation of an Income Tax Credit Incentive for Clinical Preceptors who provide educational experiences and mentoring to health professions students

1. S.4033A (Stavisky) / A.3704 (Gunther): An act to amend the tax law, in relation to establishing a personal income tax credit to preceptor clinicians who provide preceptor instruction

a. Read NYSPHA's Memorandum of support here

NYSPHA supports New York School-Based Health Alliance's (NYSBHA's) initiative to preserve funding for School-Based Health Centers (SBHCs)

a. Read the full letter here

2018 PAC Highlights

2018 Policy and Advocacy Committee Highlights

2017 PAC Activities and Accomplishments

2017 Activities and Accomplishments