Bill Text: NY S00701 | 2011-2012 | General Assembly | Introduced


Bill Title: Creates the lupus research enhancement program; creates the lupus research enhancement fund.

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 1-0)

Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2012-01-04 - REFERRED TO HEALTH [S00701 Detail]

Download: New_York-2011-S00701-Introduced.html
                           S T A T E   O F   N E W   Y O R K
       ________________________________________________________________________
                                          701
                              2011-2012 Regular Sessions
                                   I N  S E N A T E
                                      (PREFILED)
                                    January 5, 2011
                                      ___________
       Introduced  by  Sen.  SAVINO -- read twice and ordered printed, and when
         printed to be committed to the Committee on Health
       AN ACT to amend the public health law, in relation to creating the lupus
         research enhancement program; and to amend the state finance  law,  in
         relation to creating the lupus research enhancement fund
         THE  PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK, REPRESENTED IN SENATE AND ASSEM-
       BLY, DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS:
    1    Section 1. Article 2 of the public health law is amended by  adding  a
    2  new title 4-A to read as follows:
    3                                 TITLE IV-A
    4                       LUPUS RESEARCH ENHANCEMENT ACT
    5  SECTION 256. SHORT TITLE.
    6          256-A. LEGISLATIVE INTENT.
    7          256-B. DEFINITION.
    8          256-C. LUPUS RESEARCH ENHANCEMENT PROGRAM.
    9          256-D. LUPUS RESEARCH ADVISORY COUNCIL.
   10          256-E. LUPUS RESEARCH ENHANCEMENT FUND.
   11    S 256. SHORT TITLE.  THIS TITLE SHALL BE KNOWN AND MAY BE CITED AS THE
   12  "LUPUS RESEARCH ENHANCEMENT ACT".
   13    S  256-A.  LEGISLATIVE  INTENT.  1.   THE LEGISLATURE HEREBY FINDS THE
   14  FOLLOWING:
   15    (A) LUPUS IS A SERIOUS, COMPLEX, DEBILITATING AUTOIMMUNE DISEASE  THAT
   16  CAN  CAUSE  INFLAMMATION AND TISSUE DAMAGE TO VIRTUALLY ANY ORGAN SYSTEM
   17  IN THE BODY, INCLUDING THE SKIN, JOINTS, OTHER CONNECTIVE TISSUE,  BLOOD
   18  AND BLOOD VESSELS, HEART, LUNGS, KIDNEY, AND BRAIN.
   19    (B) THE LUPUS FOUNDATION OF AMERICA, INC. ESTIMATES THAT APPROXIMATELY
   20  1.5 TO TWO MILLION AMERICANS LIVE WITH SOME FORM OF LUPUS; LUPUS AFFECTS
        EXPLANATION--Matter in ITALICS (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
                             [ ] is old law to be omitted.
                                                                  LBD00177-01-1
       S. 701                              2
    1  WOMEN  NINE  TIMES MORE OFTEN THAN MEN AND EIGHTY PERCENT OF NEWLY DIAG-
    2  NOSED CASES OF LUPUS DEVELOP AMONG WOMEN OF CHILDBEARING AGE.
    3    (C)  LUPUS  DISPROPORTIONATELY  AFFECTS  WOMEN OF COLOR - IT IS TWO TO
    4  THREE TIMES MORE COMMON AMONG AFRICAN-AMERICANS, HISPANICS,  ASIANS  AND
    5  NATIVE AMERICANS AND IS GENERALLY MORE PREVALENT IN MINORITY POPULATIONS
    6  -  A HEALTH DISPARITY THAT REMAINS UNEXPLAINED. ACCORDING TO THE CENTERS
    7  FOR DISEASE CONTROL AND PREVENTION  THE  RATE  OF  LUPUS  MORTALITY  HAS
    8  INCREASED  SINCE  THE  LATE NINETEEN SEVENTIES AND IS HIGHER AMONG OLDER
    9  AFRICAN-AMERICAN WOMEN.
   10    (D) NO NEW DRUGS HAVE BEEN APPROVED BY THE U.S. FOOD AND DRUG ADMINIS-
   11  TRATION SPECIFICALLY FOR LUPUS IN NEARLY FORTY YEARS, AND WHILE  CURRENT
   12  TREATMENTS  FOR  THE DISEASE CAN BE EFFECTIVE, THEY CAN LEAD TO DAMAGING
   13  SIDE EFFECTS.
   14    (E) THE PAIN AND FATIGUE ASSOCIATED WITH LUPUS CAN  THREATEN  PEOPLE'S
   15  ABILITY  TO LIVE INDEPENDENTLY, MAKE IT DIFFICULT TO MAINTAIN EMPLOYMENT
   16  AND LEAD NORMAL LIVES, AND ONE IN FIVE  PEOPLE WITH LUPUS IS DISABLED BY
   17  THE DISEASE, AND CONSEQUENTLY RECEIVES SUPPORT FROM GOVERNMENT PROGRAMS,
   18  INCLUDING MEDICARE, MEDICAID, SOCIAL  SECURITY  DISABILITY,  AND  SOCIAL
   19  SECURITY SUPPLEMENTAL INCOME.
   20    (F)  THE  ESTIMATED  AVERAGE  ANNUAL  COST OF MEDICAL TREATMENT FOR AN
   21  INDIVIDUAL WITH LUPUS CAN RANGE BETWEEN TEN THOUSAND DOLLARS AND  THIRTY
   22  THOUSAND  DOLLARS;  FOR  PEOPLE WHO HAVE THE MOST SERIOUS FORM OF LUPUS,
   23  MEDICAL COSTS CAN GREATLY EXCEED  THIS  AMOUNT,  CAUSING  A  SIGNIFICANT
   24  ECONOMIC, EMOTIONAL AND SOCIAL BURDEN TO THE ENTIRE FAMILY AND SOCIETY.
   25    (G)  MORE THAN HALF OF THE PEOPLE WITH LUPUS SUFFER FOUR OR MORE YEARS
   26  AND VISIT THREE OR MORE  PHYSICIANS  BEFORE  OBTAINING  A  DIAGNOSIS  OF
   27  LUPUS;  EARLY  DIAGNOSIS  OF AND COMMENCEMENT OF TREATMENT FOR LUPUS CAN
   28  PREVENT OR REDUCE SERIOUS ORGAN DAMAGE, DISABILITY, AND DEATH.
   29    (H) DESPITE THE MAGNITUDE OF LUPUS AND ITS IMPACT ON  INDIVIDUALS  AND
   30  FAMILIES,  HEALTH PROFESSIONAL AND PUBLIC UNDERSTANDING OF LUPUS REMAINS
   31  LOW; ONLY ONE OF FIVE AMERICANS CAN PROVIDE EVEN BASIC INFORMATION ABOUT
   32  LUPUS, AND AWARENESS OF LUPUS IS LOWEST AMONG ADULTS  AGES  EIGHTEEN  TO
   33  THIRTY-FOUR - THE AGE GROUP MOST LIKELY TO DEVELOP SYMPTOMS OF LUPUS.
   34    (I)  LUPUS  IS  A  SIGNIFICANT  NATIONAL  HEALTH ISSUE THAT DESERVES A
   35  COMPREHENSIVE AND COORDINATED RESPONSE BY STATE AND FEDERAL  GOVERNMENTS
   36  WITH INVOLVEMENT OF THE HEALTH CARE PROVIDER, PATIENT, AND PUBLIC HEALTH
   37  COMMUNITIES.
   38    2. THE PURPOSES OF THIS TITLE ARE:
   39    (A) TO PROMOTE BASIC AND CLINICAL RESEARCH PROGRAMS DESIGNED TO REDUCE
   40  OR  PREVENT  SUFFERING  FROM  LUPUS,  BY PROVIDING ADDITIONAL FUNDING TO
   41  STATE ACADEMIC MEDICAL INSTITUTIONS WITHIN THE STATE CURRENTLY  CONDUCT-
   42  ING  OR  HAVING  AN  INTEREST  IN CONDUCTING BASIC AND CLINICAL, SOCIAL,
   43  TRANSLATIONAL, TECHNOLOGICAL, EPIDEMIOLOGICAL, AND  BEHAVIORAL  RESEARCH
   44  ON LUPUS. SUCH ACTIVITIES MAY INCLUDE:
   45    (I) INVESTIGATING THE PATHOGENESIS AND PHYSIOLOGY OF LUPUS;
   46    (II) IDENTIFYING AND VALIDATING LUPUS BIOMARKERS;
   47    (III)  ENHANCING  THE  STATEWIDE  INFRASTRUCTURE  TO  CONDUCT CLINICAL
   48  TRIALS OF POTENTIAL NEW LUPUS THERAPIES;
   49    (IV) DEVELOPING OR IMPROVING DIAGNOSTIC TESTS FOR EARLY  DETECTION  OF
   50  LUPUS; AND
   51    (V) DEVELOPING NOVEL THERAPIES TO TREAT LUPUS.
   52    (B)  TO  ESTABLISH A MULTIDISCIPLINARY LUPUS RESEARCH ADVISORY COUNCIL
   53  TO MONITOR PROGRESS AND MAKE GRANTING RECOMMENDATIONS TO THE DEPARTMENT.
   54    S 256-B. DEFINITION. AS USED IN THIS TITLE, "PROGRAM" SHALL  MEAN  THE
   55  LUPUS  RESEARCH  ENHANCEMENT  PROGRAM  CREATED  PURSUANT  TO SECTION TWO
   56  HUNDRED FIFTY-SIX-C OF THIS TITLE.
       S. 701                              3
    1    S 256-C. LUPUS RESEARCH ENHANCEMENT PROGRAM. 1. THE COMMISSIONER SHALL
    2  ESTABLISH WITHIN THE DEPARTMENT A  LUPUS  RESEARCH  ENHANCEMENT  PROGRAM
    3  THROUGH WHICH THE DEPARTMENT SHALL MAKE GRANTS TO STATE ACADEMIC MEDICAL
    4  INSTITUTIONS WITHIN THE STATE CURRENTLY CONDUCTING OR HAVING AN INTEREST
    5  IN  CONDUCTING BASIC AND CLINICAL, SOCIAL, TRANSLATIONAL, TECHNOLOGICAL,
    6  EPIDEMIOLOGICAL, AND BEHAVIORAL RESEARCH ON LUPUS.
    7    2. ALL RESEARCH FUNDS SHALL BE AWARDED ON THE BASIS  OF  THE  RESEARCH
    8  PRIORITIES  ESTABLISHED  FOR THE PROGRAM AND THE SCIENTIFIC MERIT OF THE
    9  PROPOSED RESEARCH, AS DETERMINED BY AN  OPEN,  COMPETITIVE  PEER  REVIEW
   10  PROCESS  THAT  ENSURES  OBJECTIVITY,  CONSISTENCY, AND HIGH QUALITY. ALL
   11  INVESTIGATORS, REGARDLESS OF AFFILIATION, SHALL HAVE  EQUAL  ACCESS  AND
   12  OPPORTUNITY TO COMPETE FOR PROGRAM FUNDS.
   13    3.  THE  PEER  REVIEW  PROCESS  FOR  THE  SELECTION OF RESEARCH GRANTS
   14  AWARDED UNDER THIS PROGRAM SHALL BE MODELED GENERALLY ON  THAT  USED  BY
   15  THE NATIONAL INSTITUTES OF HEALTH IN ITS GRANT MAKING PROCESS.
   16    4.  AN  AWARDEE SHALL BE AWARDED GRANTS FOR THE FULL COST, BOTH DIRECT
   17  AND INDIRECT, OF CONDUCTING THE SPONSORED RESEARCH CONSISTENT WITH THOSE
   18  FEDERAL GUIDELINES GOVERNING ALL FEDERAL RESEARCH GRANTS AND  CONTRACTS.
   19  ALL  INTELLECTUAL  PROPERTY ASSETS DEVELOPED UNDER THIS PROGRAM SHALL BE
   20  TREATED IN ACCORDANCE WITH STATE AND FEDERAL LAW.
   21    5. IN ESTABLISHING ITS RESEARCH PRIORITIES, THE  STATE  SHALL  CONSULT
   22  WITH  THE  LUPUS RESEARCH ADVISORY COUNCIL AND CONSIDER A BROAD RANGE OF
   23  CROSS-DISCIPLINARY  LUPUS  RESEARCH,  INCLUDING,  BUT  NOT  LIMITED  TO,
   24  RESEARCH INTO THE CAUSE, CURE, AND DIAGNOSIS OF LUPUS; TRANSLATIONAL AND
   25  TECHNOLOGICAL  RESEARCH, INCLUDING RESEARCH TO DEVELOP IMPROVED DIAGNOS-
   26  TIC TESTS; RESEARCH REGARDING THE CULTURAL, ECONOMIC, AND LEGAL BARRIERS
   27  TO ACCESSING THE HEALTH CARE SYSTEM FOR EARLY DETECTION AND TREATMENT OF
   28  LUPUS; AND RESEARCH EXAMINING THE HEALTH DISPARITIES SEEN IN  THE  INCI-
   29  DENCE AND PREVALENCE OF LUPUS.
   30    S 256-D. LUPUS RESEARCH ADVISORY COUNCIL. 1. OPERATIONS. (A) THE COUN-
   31  CIL  SHALL BE COMPRISED OF FIFTEEN MEMBERS REPRESENTING A BROAD RANGE OF
   32  EXPERTISE AND EXPERIENCE.
   33    (B) INDIVIDUALS  AND  ORGANIZATIONS  MAY  SUBMIT  NOMINATIONS  TO  THE
   34  COMMISSIONER THROUGH THE COUNCIL.
   35    (C)  EACH  APPOINTED COUNCIL MEMBER SHOULD HAVE FAMILIARITY WITH LUPUS
   36  AND ISSUES THAT SURROUND LUPUS AND BE ONE OF THE FOLLOWING:  HEALTH  AND
   37  MEDICAL  PROFESSIONAL WITH EXPERTISE IN LUPUS; AN INDIVIDUAL WITH LUPUS;
   38  A REPRESENTATIVE FROM A LOCAL OR COUNTY HEALTH DEPARTMENT; OR  A  RECOG-
   39  NIZED  EXPERT  IN  THE  PROVISION  OF  HEALTH  SERVICES  TO WOMEN, LUPUS
   40  RESEARCH OR HEALTH DISPARITIES.
   41    (D) THE COUNCIL SHALL BE COMPRISED AS FOLLOWS:
   42    (I) AT LEAST THREE INDIVIDUALS WITH LUPUS;
   43    (II) NO MORE THAN TWO REPRESENTATIVES FROM THE DEPARTMENT;
   44    (III) AT LEAST FIVE INDIVIDUALS FROM LUPUS NONPROFIT HEALTH  ORGANIZA-
   45  TIONS; AND
   46    (IV)  AT  LEAST FIVE SCIENTISTS OR CLINICIANS WITH EXPERIENCE IN LUPUS
   47  AND WHO PARTICIPATE IN VARIOUS FIELDS OF SCIENTIFIC ENDEAVOR, INCLUDING,
   48  BUT NOT LIMITED TO, THE FIELDS OF BIOMEDICAL RESEARCH, SOCIAL,  TRANSLA-
   49  TIONAL, BEHAVIORAL AND EPIDEMIOLOGICAL RESEARCH, AND PUBLIC HEALTH.
   50    (E)  ALL MEMBERS OF THE COUNCIL SHALL BE APPOINTED BY THE COMMISSIONER
   51  AND THE COMMISSIONER SHALL CHOOSE FROM AMONG THE FIFTEEN COUNCIL MEMBERS
   52  ONE MEMBER TO SERVE AS CHAIR.
   53    (F) ALL MEMBERS OF THE COUNCIL SHALL SERVE TERMS OF  TWO  YEARS  EACH.
   54  MEMBERS  CAN  BE  NAMED  TO  SERVE A TOTAL OF TWO TERMS AND TERMS CAN BE
   55  CONSECUTIVE.
       S. 701                              4
    1    (G) MEMBERS SHALL SERVE WITHOUT COMPENSATION, BUT SHALL BE ENTITLED TO
    2  ACTUAL, NECESSARY EXPENSES INCURRED IN THE PERFORMANCE OF THEIR BUSINESS
    3  AS MEMBERS OF THE COUNCIL.
    4    (H)  A  MAJORITY  OF  THE  MEMBERS  OF  THE COUNCIL SHALL CONSTITUTE A
    5  QUORUM.  A MAJORITY VOTE OF A QUORUM SHALL BE REQUIRED FOR ANY  OFFICIAL
    6  ACTION OF THE COUNCIL.
    7    (I) THE COUNCIL SHALL MEET AT THE CALL OF THE CHAIR, BUT NOT LESS THAN
    8  FOUR TIMES PER YEAR.
    9    2. FUNCTIONS. THE LUPUS RESEARCH ADVISORY COUNCIL SHALL:
   10    (A)  REVIEW  SUBMITTED  GRANT APPLICATIONS AND MAKE RECOMMENDATIONS TO
   11  THE COMMISSIONER, AND THE COMMISSIONER SHALL, AT HIS OR HER  DISCRETION,
   12  GRANT APPROVAL OF APPLICATIONS FOR GRANTS FROM THOSE APPLICATIONS RECOM-
   13  MENDED  BY THE COUNCIL (IF A COUNCIL MEMBER SUBMITS AN APPLICATION FOR A
   14  GRANT FROM THE LUPUS RESEARCH AND EDUCATION FUND,  HE  OR  SHE  WILL  BE
   15  PROHIBITED  FROM  REVIEWING  AND MAKING A RECOMMENDATION ON THE APPLICA-
   16  TION);
   17    (B) CONSULT WITH  THE  NATIONAL  INSTITUTES  OF  HEALTH,  CENTERS  FOR
   18  DISEASE  CONTROL  AND PREVENTION, THE AGENCY FOR HEALTHCARE RESEARCH AND
   19  QUALITY, THE NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES (INSTITUTE OF MEDICINE), LUPUS
   20  ADVOCACY GROUPS, AND  OTHER  ORGANIZATIONS  OR  ENTITIES  WHICH  MAY  BE
   21  INVOLVED  IN  LUPUS RESEARCH TO SOLICIT BOTH INFORMATION REGARDING LUPUS
   22  RESEARCH PROJECTS THAT ARE CURRENTLY BEING CONDUCTED AND RECOMMENDATIONS
   23  FOR FUTURE RESEARCH PROJECTS; AND
   24    (C) SHALL TRANSMIT ANNUALLY ON  OR  BEFORE  DECEMBER  THIRTY-FIRST,  A
   25  REPORT  TO  THE  LEGISLATURE ON GRANTS MADE, GRANTS IN PROGRESS, PROGRAM
   26  ACCOMPLISHMENTS,  AND  FUTURE  PROGRAM  DIRECTIONS.  EACH  REPORT  SHALL
   27  INCLUDE, BUT NOT BE LIMITED TO, THE FOLLOWING INFORMATION:
   28    (I)  THE  NUMBER  AND DOLLAR AMOUNTS OF RESEARCH GRANTS, INCLUDING THE
   29  AMOUNT ALLOCATED TO INDIRECT COSTS;
   30    (II) THE SUBJECT OF RESEARCH GRANTS;
   31    (III) THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN FEDERAL AND  STATE  FUNDING  FOR  LUPUS
   32  RESEARCH;
   33    (IV) THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN EACH PROJECT AND THE OVERALL STRATEGY OF
   34  THE RESEARCH PROGRAM;
   35    (V)  A  SUMMARY OF RESEARCH FINDINGS INCLUDING DISCUSSION OF PROMISING
   36  NEW AREAS;
   37    (VI) THE INSTITUTIONS AND CAMPUSES RECEIVING GRANT AWARDS; AND
   38    (VII) THE FIRST ANNUAL REPORT SHALL INCLUDE AN EVALUATION  AND  RECOM-
   39  MENDATIONS  CONCERNING  THE  DESIRABILITY  AND  FEASIBILITY OF REQUIRING
   40  FOR-PROFIT GRANTEES TO COMPENSATE THE STATE IN THE EVENT  THAT  A  GRANT
   41  RESULTS  IN  THE DEVELOPMENT OF A PROFIT-MAKING PRODUCT. THIS EVALUATION
   42  SHALL INCLUDE, BUT NOT BE LIMITED TO, THE COSTS AND BENEFITS OF  REQUIR-
   43  ING  A  FOR-PROFIT GRANTEE TO REPAY THE GRANT, TO PROVIDE THE PRODUCT AT
   44  COST TO STATE PROGRAMS SERVING LOW-INCOME LUPUS PATIENTS, AND TO PAY THE
   45  STATE A PERCENTAGE OF THE ROYALTIES DERIVED FROM THE PRODUCT.
   46    3. CONTRIBUTIONS. THE SECRETARY OF THE LUPUS RESEARCH ADVISORY COUNCIL
   47  MAY ACCEPT GRANTS, SERVICES, AND PROPERTY FROM THE  FEDERAL  GOVERNMENT,
   48  FOUNDATIONS,  ORGANIZATIONS,  MEDICAL SCHOOLS, AND OTHER ENTITIES AS MAY
   49  BE AVAILABLE FOR THE PURPOSES OF  FULFILLING  THE  OBLIGATIONS  OF  THIS
   50  PROGRAM. ANY SUCH FUNDS SHALL SUPPLEMENT AND NOT SUPPLANT APPROPRIATIONS
   51  PROVIDED FOR THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THIS ARTICLE.
   52    4. WAIVERS. THE SECRETARY OF THE LUPUS RESEARCH ADVISORY COUNCIL SHALL
   53  SEEK  ANY  FEDERAL  WAIVER  OR WAIVERS THAT MAY BE NECESSARY TO MAXIMIZE
   54  FUNDS FROM THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT TO IMPLEMENT THIS PROGRAM.
   55    S 256-E. LUPUS RESEARCH ENHANCEMENT FUND. ALL MONEYS RECEIVED PURSUANT
   56  TO SECTION TWO HUNDRED FIFTY-SIX-C OF THIS TITLE SHALL  BE  CREDITED  TO
       S. 701                              5
    1  THE  FUND,  AS ESTABLISHED BY SECTION NINETY-FIVE-H OF THE STATE FINANCE
    2  LAW. THE COMMISSIONER  SHALL  USE  THE  FUND  TO  ADMINISTER  THE  LUPUS
    3  RESEARCH  ENHANCEMENT PROGRAM AND TO MAKE GRANTS TO AWARDEES PURSUANT TO
    4  SECTION TWO HUNDRED FIFTY-SIX-C OF THIS TITLE.
    5    S  2. The state finance law is amended by adding a new section 95-h to
    6  read as follows:
    7    S 95-H. LUPUS RESEARCH ENHANCEMENT FUND. 1.  THERE  IS  HEREBY  ESTAB-
    8  LISHED  IN THE JOINT CUSTODY OF THE COMMISSIONER OF TAXATION AND FINANCE
    9  AND THE COMPTROLLER, A SPECIAL FUND TO BE KNOWN AS THE  "LUPUS  RESEARCH
   10  ENHANCEMENT FUND".
   11    2.  SUCH FUND SHALL CONSIST OF ALL MONIES APPROPRIATED FOR THE PURPOSE
   12  OF SUCH FUND AND ANY GRANT, GIFT OR BEQUEST MADE TO THE  LUPUS  RESEARCH
   13  ENHANCEMENT PROGRAM AS ESTABLISHED BY TITLE FOUR-A OF ARTICLE TWO OF THE
   14  PUBLIC HEALTH LAW.
   15    3.  MONEYS OF THE FUND SHALL BE AVAILABLE FOR GRANTS THROUGH THE LUPUS
   16  RESEARCH ENHANCEMENT PROGRAM ADVISORY COUNCIL AND FOR  THE  EXPENSES  OF
   17  THE  LUPUS  RESEARCH  ENHANCEMENT PROGRAM ADVISORY COUNCIL, AND SHALL BE
   18  EXPENDED ONLY FOR THE PURPOSES  SPELLED  OUT  IN  SECTIONS  TWO  HUNDRED
   19  FIFTY-SIX-C AND TWO HUNDRED FIFTY-SIX-D OF THE PUBLIC HEALTH LAW.
   20    4.  MONEYS  IN THE LUPUS RESEARCH ENHANCEMENT FUND SHALL BE KEPT SEPA-
   21  RATE AND SHALL NOT BE COMMINGLED WITH ANY OTHER MONEYS IN THE CUSTODY OF
   22  THE COMMISSIONER OF TAXATION AND FINANCE AND THE COMPTROLLER.
   23    5. THE MONEYS OF THE FUND SHALL BE PAID OUT ON THE AUDIT  AND  WARRANT
   24  OF THE COMPTROLLER ON VOUCHERS CERTIFIED OR APPROVED BY THE COMMISSIONER
   25  OF  HEALTH,  OR  BY  AN  OFFICER OR EMPLOYEE OF THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH
   26  DESIGNATED BY SUCH COMMISSIONER.
   27    S 3. This act shall take effect immediately.
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