NY bill would require creation of disease prevention model

New York lawmakers introduced a bill Wednesday that would require the state’s insurance commissioner to develop a model to prevent occupational exposure to an airborne infectious disease.

S.B. 1034 would mandate that the commissioner publish in both English and Spanish a model airborne infectious disease exposure prevention standard for all worksites that includes sections on employee health screenings, personal protective equipment, hand hygiene, cleaning protocols and social distancing. The legislation would also require that the standard be differentiated by industry and include information on quarantines and anti-retaliation provisions.

Lawmakers on Wednesday also introduced a bill in the assembly to establish a task force to study the impacts of teleworking.

A.B. 565 would require the heads of state departments, including the workers compensation board, to study the impact of telework on the state — such as reducing contributions to workers compensation premiums — and report their findings and recommendations to the governor and legislature in 18 months. 

The bills have been referred to each chamber’s labor committee.