Albany, NY ¬– Assemblyman Jeffrey Dinowitz (D-Bronx) announced that his omnibus cancer screening bill for public employees passed overwhelmingly in the State Assembly (A.409-A). The legislation provides state, county, and municipal employees with up to four hours of paid leave to receive cancer screenings.

“Cancer is the second leading cause of death in America. In fact, more than 1.6 million new cases of cancer will be diagnosed in 2015 alone,” said Assemblyman Dinowitz. “Regular cancer screenings give doctors and patients the opportunity to detect cancer early, resulting in less extensive treatment and better outcomes for patients.”

According to the American Cancer Society, regular screenings are the best way to reduce the mortality rate for several types of cancer including: breast, colon, rectum, cervix, and lung.

Under current law, paid leave is only granted for public employees seeking breast or prostate cancer screenings. Previously, there had been numerous legislative proposals to allow paid leave for various specific types of cancer; Mr. Dinowitz’s measure broadens the provision to cover all cancers. The bill also extends the paid leave to employees of the City of New York, who are currently ineligible for the benefit.

“This bill gives government and municipal employees across the state up to four hours of paid leave for cancer screenings each year. Not only will this result in a healthier and more productive work force by reducing the state wide cancer rate, we will also be saving the state a substantial amount of money in health care costs in the long term,” Mr. Dinowitz noted. “I strongly encourage my colleagues in the Senate to vote on this bill when they return to session on Tuesday.”

The bill awaits action in the State Senate where it is sponsored by Senate Health Committee Chairman Kemp Hannon (R-Nassau).