Bill > A08178

This bill establishes the Office of Wastewater Surveillance within the Department of Health, which will monitor and analyze wastewater for public health purposes. The bill creates a grant program to assist labs in conducting wastewater testing, and establishes an advisory council to provide advice on best practices, reporting standards, and integrating COVID-19 wastewater surveillance. The Office of Wastewater Surveillance will be required to report its findings and policy recommendations to state leadership annually, and will notify them of any abnormally high levels of pathogens detected in wastewater. The bill appropriates $1.5 million to set up the office and grant program, with ongoing annual funding to be determined.