S T A T E O F N E W Y O R K
________________________________________________________________________
8828
2009-2010 Regular Sessions
I N A S S E M B L Y
June 10, 2009
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Introduced by M. of A. KOLB, BACALLES, BARCLAY, BURLING, CALHOUN,
CORWIN, CROUCH, DUPREY, HAWLEY, HAYES, JORDAN, McDONOUGH, MILLER,
MOLINARO, OAKS, RABBITT, RAIA, SALADINO, SCOZZAFAVA, TITONE, TOBACCO,
TOWNSEND -- Multi-Sponsored by -- M. of A. BUTLER, GIGLIO, QUINN,
TEDISCO, THIELE -- read once and referred to the Committee on Health
AN ACT to amend the public health law, in relation to establishing a
state autism advisory board
THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK, REPRESENTED IN SENATE AND ASSEM-
BLY, DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS:
Section 1. The public health law is amended by adding a new section
2500-k to read as follows:
S 2500-K. STATE AUTISM ADVISORY BOARD. 1. THERE IS HEREBY ESTABLISHED
WITHIN THE DEPARTMENT THE STATE AUTISM ADVISORY BOARD. SUCH BOARD SHALL
CONDUCT PUBLIC HEARINGS AND HOLD MEETINGS REGARDING THE AVAILABILITY OF
PROGRAMS AND SERVICES FOR PERSONS WITH AUTISM. THE BOARD SHALL MAKE
RECOMMENDATIONS FOR THE CREATION OF COMPREHENSIVE AND CONSISTENT CRITE-
RIA AND REGULATIONS TO IMPROVE THE QUALITY OF LIFE FOR PERSONS WITH
AUTISM AND TO MAKE THE PUBLIC AND PERSONS WITH AUTISM AND THEIR FAMILIES
MORE AWARE OF AVAILABLE PROGRAMS AND SERVICES FOR PERSONS WITH AUTISM.
THE AREAS OF STUDY THAT SHALL BE ADDRESSED BY THE BOARD SHALL INCLUDE,
BUT NOT BE LIMITED TO:
(A) EARLY DIAGNOSIS;
(B) HOME AND HEALTH SERVICES;
(C) EDUCATION AND DEVELOPMENTAL SERVICES;
(D) VOCATIONAL PLACEMENT; AND
(E) IMPROVING RESEARCH AND TRAINING FOR PROFESSIONALS.
2. THE BOARD WILL CONSIST OF NINETEEN MEMBERS, TEN OF WHOM SHALL BE
APPOINTED AND NINE OF WHOM SHALL SERVE EX OFFICIO. OF THE TEN APPOINTED
MEMBERS, TWO SHALL BE APPOINTED BY THE GOVERNOR, TWO SHALL BE APPOINTED
BY THE TEMPORARY PRESIDENT OF THE SENATE, TWO SHALL BE APPOINTED BY THE
SPEAKER OF THE ASSEMBLY, TWO SHALL BE APPOINTED BY THE MINORITY LEADER
EXPLANATION--Matter in ITALICS (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD10615-01-9
A. 8828 2
OF THE SENATE AND TWO SHALL BE APPOINTED BY THE MINORITY LEADER OF THE
ASSEMBLY. OF THE TWO MEMBERS APPOINTED BY EACH APPOINTING AUTHORITY, ONE
MEMBER SHALL HAVE EXPERTISE OF WORK AS A PROFESSIONAL IN THE FIELD OF
AUTISM AND ONE MEMBER SHALL BE A FAMILY ADVOCATE OR SELF-ADVOCATE IN THE
COMMUNITY THAT SUCH ADVOCATE RESIDES. A REPRESENTATIVE FROM EACH OF THE
FOLLOWING STATE AGENCIES SHALL SERVE EX OFFICIO: THE OFFICE OF MENTAL
RETARDATION AND DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES; THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION;
THE OFFICE OF MENTAL HEALTH; THE OFFICE OF CHILDREN AND FAMILY SERVICES;
THE DEPARTMENT; THE COMMISSION ON QUALITY OF CARE AND ADVOCACY FOR
PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES; THE DEVELOPMENTAL PLANNING COUNCIL; THE COUN-
CIL ON CHILDREN AND FAMILY SERVICES; AND THE OFFICE OF VOCATIONAL AND
EDUCATIONAL SERVICES FOR INDIVIDUALS WITH DISABILITIES. THE CHAIR OF
THE BOARD SHALL BE SELECTED BY THE GOVERNOR.
3. MEMBERS OF THE BOARD SHALL SERVE AT THE PLEASURE OF THE APPOINTING
AUTHORITY. VACANCIES ON THE BOARD SHALL BE FILLED IN THE SAME MANNER AS
THE ORIGINAL APPOINTMENT. MEMBERS OF THE BOARD SHALL RECEIVE NO COMPEN-
SATION, BUT SHALL BE REIMBURSED FOR ACTUAL AND NECESSARY EXPENSES
INCURRED IN THE PERFORMANCE OF THEIR DUTIES WITHIN AMOUNTS APPROPRIATED
THEREFORE.
4. SUCH BOARD SHALL MEET AT LEAST QUARTERLY. SPECIAL MEETINGS MAY BE
CALLED BY THE CHAIR. THE AGENDA AND MEETING PLACE OF ALL REGULAR OR
SPECIAL MEETINGS SHALL BE MADE AVAILABLE TO THE PUBLIC IN ADVANCE OF
SUCH MEETINGS.
S 2. This act shall take effect immediately.