S T A T E O F N E W Y O R K
________________________________________________________________________
4839
2009-2010 Regular Sessions
I N A S S E M B L Y
February 6, 2009
___________
Introduced by M. of A. P. RIVERA -- read once and referred to the
Committee on Alcoholism and Drug Abuse
AN ACT to amend the mental hygiene law, in relation to requiring the
office of alcoholism and substance abuse services to establish a
curriculum in problem gambling which may be provided in grades four
through twelve; to establish an adolescent gambling task force and
providing for its duties; and providing for the repeal of certain
provisions upon expiration thereof
THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK, REPRESENTED IN SENATE AND ASSEM-
BLY, DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS:
Section 1. Section 19.07 of the mental hygiene law is amended by
adding a new subdivision (h) to read as follows:
(H) THE OFFICE OF ALCOHOLISM AND SUBSTANCE ABUSE SERVICES SHALL ESTAB-
LISH A CURRICULUM FOR A COURSE OF INSTRUCTION IN ADOLESCENT PROBLEM
GAMBLING WHICH MAY, AT THE OPTION OF ANY SCHOOL, BE PROVIDED IN GRADES
FOUR THROUGH TWELVE. SUCH COURSE OF INSTRUCTION SHALL INCLUDE MATERIALS
TO EDUCATE STUDENTS ON THE DANGERS AND CONSEQUENCES OF PROBLEM GAMBLING,
AND SHALL BE AVAILABLE ON THE INTERNET WEBSITE OF SUCH OFFICE.
S 2. Adolescent gambling task force. (a) An adolescent gambling task
force is hereby created to examine, evaluate and make recommendations
concerning the content and manner of instruction for the course of
instruction in problem gambling established by subdivision (h) of
section 19.07 of the mental hygiene law, as added by section one of this
act. Such task force shall also examine the prevalence and consequences
of problem gambling among adolescents.
(b) The adolescent gambling task force shall be composed of nine
members as follows: the commissioner of alcoholism and substance abuse
services, one member appointed by the commissioner of health to repre-
sent the department of health, one member appointed by the commissioner
of education to represent the department of education, two members
appointed by the temporary president of the senate to represent organ-
EXPLANATION--Matter in ITALICS (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD06741-01-9
A. 4839 2
izations which serve or advocate on behalf of adolescents, two members
appointed by the speaker of the assembly to represent organizations
which serve or advocate on behalf of adolescents, one member appointed
by the minority leader of the senate and one person appointed by the
minority leader of the assembly. The appointees shall be broadly repre-
sentative of the geographic areas of the state, and shall serve at the
pleasure of the appointing official for such member. The chair of the
task force shall be the commissioner of alcoholism and substance abuse
services. The commissioner of alcoholism and substance abuse services
shall, on or before January 1, 2010, report to the governor and the
legislature as to whether all members of the task force have been
appointed, and if not, which member or members have not been appointed.
Vacancies in the membership of the task force shall be filled in the
manner provided for original appointments.
(c) The task force may meet within and without the state, shall hold
public hearings, and shall have all the powers of a legislative commit-
tee pursuant to the legislative law.
(d) The members of the task force shall receive no compensation for
their services, but shall be allowed their actual and necessary expenses
incurred in the performance of their duties pursuant to this section.
(e) To the maximum extent feasible, the task force shall be entitled
to request and receive, and shall utilize and be provided with such
facilities, resources and data of any court, department, division,
board, bureau, commission or agency of the state or any political subdi-
vision thereof as it may reasonably request to properly carry out its
powers and duties pursuant to this section.
(f) On or before June 1, 2010, the task force shall report to the
office of alcoholism and substance abuse services its findings, conclu-
sions and recommendations on implementing the provisions of subdivision
(h) of section 19.07 of the mental hygiene law, as added by section one
of this act.
(g) On or before June 1, 2011, the task force shall report to the
office of alcoholism and substance abuse services on the status of and
any actions taken on the recommendations made pursuant to subdivision
(f) of this section.
S 3. This act shall take effect immediately, except that section one
of this act shall take effect September 1, 2010, and section two of this
act shall expire and be deemed repealed on June 2, 2011.