U.S. Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand announced the introduction Monday of a bill that would improve the legal pathways for medical monitoring of PFAS contamination in order to avoid premature death or disability.

The legislation was announced as Gillibrand was in Hoosick Falls, a community rocked by PFAS contamination in the drinking water as well as nearby Petersburgh.

Gillibrand's legislation would make it easier for victims to receive access to medical monitoring and also provide incentives for PFAS safety research.

“When PFAS contamination was discovered in the waterways in Hoosick Falls, it was clear that those exposed could need long term care, especially children,” Gillibrand said.“The shocking discovery of contamination here put the health of hundreds of New Yorkers at risk for PFAS-related diseases that take years to develop — this is exactly why medical monitoring is critical. No parent should have to worry about the health of their child because they’ve been exposed to dangerous toxins in their water. I’m proud that this new legislation will deliver on the promise I made here years ago to ensure medical monitoring is available to residents of Hoosick Falls. While this is an important step to protect the health of our communities, I will continue fighting until it is signed into law and we put an end to PFAS contamination that is poisoning waterways across our country.”