S T A T E   O F   N E W   Y O R K
________________________________________________________________________

                                  11098

                          I N  A S S E M B L Y

                              May 14, 2010
                               ___________

Introduced  by  M.  of  A. MAGNARELLI, ORTIZ, PAULIN, LAVINE, ESPAILLAT,
  CUSICK -- Multi-Sponsored by -- M. of A.  DESTITO,  McENENY,  SCHIMEL,
  SWEENEY, TOWNS -- read once and referred to the Committee on Veterans'
  Affairs

AN ACT to amend the executive law, in relation to enacting the "Veterans
  Mental Health and Chemical Dependency Act"

  THE  PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK, REPRESENTED IN SENATE AND ASSEM-
BLY, DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS:

  Section 1. Legislative findings and intent. The legislature recognizes
that throughout their service, many of the military personnel  from  New
York  State  experienced trauma during active duty, placing many of them
in high risk categories for triggering substance abuse or mental  health
issues.  More often than not, mental illness and substance abuse present
themselves simultaneously or as  a  co-occurring  disorder.  The  conse-
quences of co-occurring disorders, particularly when untreated or poorly
treated, are severe. These disorders increase the cost of healthcare due
to  the  frequent  use  of inpatient treatment, the ability to adhere to
such treatment, the risk of suicide, crime victimization,  homelessness,
and incarceration.
  The  legislature  further  finds  that the unemployment rate for young
veterans of the Iraq and Afghanistan wars was at 21.1 percent,  reflect-
ing  another  tough  obstacle that combat veterans face as they make the
transition home from war.
  The legislature further finds that New York State has  recognized  its
responsibility for care for our veterans and their families, offering an
array of economic and health benefits.  Now we are called to ensure that
the  returning  combat  veterans  can  obtain the benefits that they are
entitled to from the various state agencies  which  offer  help  to  the
returning  servicemen  and  women  to  make the transition from military
personnel to veteran.
  S 2. This act shall be known as the "Veterans Mental Health and Chemi-
cal Dependency Act."
  S 3. Section 352 of the executive law is amended  by  adding  two  new
subdivisions 6 and 7 to read as follows:

 EXPLANATION--Matter in ITALICS (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
                      [ ] is old law to be omitted.
              

                                                           LBD17238-01-0

A. 11098                            2

  6.  THE  COMMISSION SHALL DEVELOP AND UPDATE, IN CONSULTATION WITH THE
OFFICE OF MENTAL HEALTH, THE OFFICE OF ALCOHOLISM  AND  SUBSTANCE  ABUSE
SERVICES, DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND DEPARTMENT OF LABOR, A NEW YORK STATE
INTERAGENCY  PLAN TO IMPROVE OUTREACH, ASSESSMENT, AND CARE FOR VETERANS
AND  THEIR  FAMILIES WHO ARE EXPERIENCING MENTAL HEALTH AND/OR SUBSTANCE
ABUSE PROBLEMS. THE PLAN WOULD ADDRESS THE NEED FOR  A  RANGE  OF  ADDI-
TIONAL SERVICES, INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO:
  A.  THE  NEED FOR HOUSING THAT IS ACCESSIBLE TO VETERANS WITH PHYSICAL
AND/OR MENTAL DISABILITIES;
  B. SUICIDE PREVENTION;
  C. SERVICES THAT ADDRESS THE SPECIAL NEEDS OF FEMALE  SERVICE  MEMBERS
OR VETERANS;
  D. PEER OUTREACH AND SUPPORT PROGRAMS;
  E.  SERVICES  TO  MEET THE EMOTIONAL NEEDS OF CHILDREN, SPOUSE, AND/OR
DOMESTIC PARTNER OF SERVICE MEMBERS OR VETERANS;
  F. SERVICES AND CONSULTATION FOR VETERANS IN SEARCH OF EMPLOYMENT; AND
  G. ACCESSIBILITY AND COORDINATION OF INFORMATION.
  7. REPORTS. THE COMMISSION SHALL SUBMIT A REPORT TO THE DIRECTOR  EACH
YEAR  AFTER  THE  EFFECTIVE DATE OF THIS SUBDIVISION.  SUCH REPORT SHALL
INCLUDE, BUT NOT BE LIMITED TO, A DESCRIPTION OF THE COMMISSION'S ACTIV-
ITIES CONCERNING THE NEW YORK STATE INTERAGENCY PLAN. THE DIRECTOR SHALL
SUBMIT SUCH REPORT OR A SYNOPSIS OF  SUCH  REPORT  TO  THE  GOVERNOR  AS
PROVIDED IN SECTION THREE HUNDRED FIFTY-THREE OF THIS ARTICLE.
  S 4. This act shall take effect thirty days after it shall have become
law,  however, the first New York state interagency plan as described in
subdivision 6 of section 352 of the executive law, as added  by  section
three of this act, shall be completed not later than one year after such
effective date.