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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
PR- 244-10
June 2, 2010

MAYOR BLOOMBERG SIGNS LEGISLATION STREAMLINING PROVISIONS OF NEW YORK CITY'S HEALTH CODE

Remarks by Mayor Bloomberg at a Public Hearing on Local Laws

“The final three bills before me today are Introductory Numbers 206, 207, and 226-A, a package of bills designed to streamline certain provisions of the City’s Health Code and enhance reporting on child care facilities.

“Introductory Number 206, sponsored by Council Members Arroyo, Comrie, Fidler, White and Jackson, repeals the requirement that milk sold in the City be stamped with a second expiration date earlier then the stamp issued by the New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets.  Due to advances in dairy production, distribution and storage, which are regulated by the USDA and State Department of Agriculture and Markets a separate date for the City is no longer necessary. 

“In addition, Introductory Number 206 also repeals the City’s licensing of medical records storage facilities.  The State Health Department regulates medical facilities, including the final disposition of medical records when those facilities discontinue operations so City licensing is no longer necessary.

“Introductory Number 207, sponsored by Council Member Arroyo and Jackson, removes the requirement that the Department of Health and Mental Hygiene issue permits and promulgate its own standards to regulate the compressed air used in underwater breathing tanks.  Many expert organizations have developed industry standards for compressed air used in SCUBA equipment, such as the Compressed Gas Association’s air purity specifications which has become the standard among users and sellers of SCUBA tanks and is referenced by the United States Department of Labor Occupational Safety and Health Administration.  As such, Introductory Number 207 establishes as the minimum standard the current air purity standards recommended by the Compressed Gas Association.

“Lastly, Introductory Number 226-A, sponsored by Council Member Palma, Arroyo, Chin, Ferreras, Koppell, Mendez and Van Bramer, extends an existing quarterly reporting requirement on child care facilities for an additional four years and changes terminology within the report to accurately reflect the various types of child care available in New York City, thus improving the Department’s goals of transparency and accountability.

“I would like to thank the Commissioner of the Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, Dr. Thomas Farley, and his staff for their work on these bills.  I would also like to thank the City Council for approving this package of legislation.”







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