Assembly Bill A1397

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

                                  1397

                       2009-2010 Regular Sessions

                          I N  A S S E M B L Y

                               (PREFILED)

                             January 7, 2009
                               ___________

Introduced  by  M.  of  A. SCHIMEL, P. RIVERA, LUPARDO, JAFFEE, GUNTHER,
  WEISENBERG, ROSENTHAL,  McENENY,  FIELDS,  SPANO,  MAISEL,  GOTTFRIED,
  KOON, PHEFFER, ALESSI, CAHILL, ZEBROWSKI, TITONE -- Multi-Sponsored by
  --  M. of A. ABBATE, ALFANO, BARCLAY, BRENNAN, BURLING, CONTE, CROUCH,
  ERRIGO, FINCH, GABRYSZAK, KOLB, P. LOPEZ, MAGEE, McDONOUGH,  McKEVITT,
  MOLINARO,  RAIA,  REILLY, SAYWARD, SCOZZAFAVA, TOBACCO, WALKER -- read
  once and referred to the Committee on Mental Health,  Mental  Retarda-
  tion and Developmental Disabilities

AN  ACT  in relation to requiring the commissioner of mental retardation
  and developmental disabilities to report to the legislature  regarding
  services for persons with autism spectrum disorder

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

  Section 1. The commissioner of mental  retardation  and  developmental
disabilities,  in  consultation with consumers, parents and providers of
services, shall study and report to the legislature,  its  findings  and
recommendations  of  the  office of mental retardation and developmental
disabilities current capabilities and future service delivery needs  for
persons with autism spectrum disorder. The report shall include, but not
be limited to:
  (a)  identifying  and  supporting evidence-based practices for serving
people with  autism  spectrum  disorders,  including  a  review  of  the
research  findings  at the Institute for Basic Research in Developmental
Disabilities and other such facilities, as may be appropriate;
  (b) evaluating the manner in which  the  current  services  system  of
residential,  day,  family  support,  employment,  diagnostic  and other
services meets the needs of  persons  with  autism  spectrum  disorders,
including a review of program design, staffing needs and financing;
  (c)  coordinating  with  the  department  of health early intervention
program, and the education department office of  vocational  and  educa-

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

                                                           LBD04339-01-9

A. 1397                             2

tional  services  for individuals with disabilities, for the identifica-
tion and referral of children with autism spectrum disorders  served  by
those  programs  for  whom supportive services from the office of mental
retardation  and  developmental  disabilities are necessary, and for the
prompt and timely transfer of responsibility for  services  to  students
with  autism  spectrum  disorders  transitioning  from  school  to adult
services and supports;
  (d) identifying the training needs for staff working with  individuals
with  autism spectrum disorders and recommending opportunities for work-
force development; and
  (e) improving public awareness of the needs of individuals with autism
spectrum disorders and the supports available from the office.
  S 2. The report required by section one of this act shall be submitted
to the legislature within one year after the effective date of this act.
  S 3. This act shall take effect immediately.