S T A T E O F N E W Y O R K
________________________________________________________________________
5068
2009-2010 Regular Sessions
I N A S S E M B L Y
February 10, 2009
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Introduced by M. of A. BRODSKY, JOHN -- read once and referred to the
Committee on Judiciary
AN ACT to amend the judiciary law, in relation to mandatory alcoholism,
drug use, and addiction training for certain judges and justices
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 finds and
declares that alcoholism and drug use are alarmingly prevalent in our
society and have a high cost to the state, including the lost productiv-
ity of addicted persons, criminal conduct, and broken families. The
legislature further finds and declares that persons who suffer from
these conditions, as well as their families and friends, often deny the
existence of such problems until the condition is very advanced, treat-
ment is very difficult, and much harm has been done.
The legislature further finds and declares that frequently one of the
early events in a developing addiction is arrest and that effective
identification of alcoholics and drug addicts at an early stage and
appropriate judicial action can often awaken such persons to their prob-
lems and lead them to rehabilitation, a goal which is beneficial both to
the individual and to society.
It is therefore the intent of the legislature that judges be adequate-
ly trained in matters of alcoholism and drug addiction, as well as
appropriate judicial intervention therein, that they may effectively
carry out their role in breaking the addiction cycle.
S 2. The judiciary law is amended by adding a new section 21-a to read
as follows:
S 21-A. REQUIRED TRAINING FOR JUDGES AND JUSTICES. 1. THE OFFICE OF
COURT ADMINISTRATION SHALL OFFER TO SUPREME COURT JUSTICES A SEVEN-HOUR
ALCOHOLISM, DRUG USE, AND ADDICTION TRAINING COURSE AT LEAST ANNUALLY.
2. WITHIN FIVE YEARS OF THE EFFECTIVE DATE OF THIS SECTION, EACH JUDGE
OR JUSTICE OF A COUNTY, CITY, TOWN, OR VILLAGE COURT SHALL ATTEND A
EXPLANATION--Matter in ITALICS (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD08223-01-9
A. 5068 2
SEVEN-HOUR ALCOHOLISM, DRUG USE, AND ADDICTION TRAINING COURSE PRESENTED
UNDER THE AUSPICES OF THE OFFICE OF COURT ADMINISTRATION. EACH JUDGE OR
JUSTICE OF A COUNTY, CITY, TOWN, OR VILLAGE ELECTED AFTER THE EFFECTIVE
DATE OF THIS SECTION SHALL, WITHIN ONE YEAR AFTER THE DATE OF HIS OR HER
ELECTION, ATTEND SUCH SEVEN-HOUR COURSE.
3. SUCH SEVEN-HOUR ALCOHOLISM, DRUG USE, AND ADDICTION TRAINING COURSE
SHALL BE DESIGNED AND PRESENTED BY THE OFFICE OF ALCOHOLISM AND
SUBSTANCE ABUSE SERVICES IN CONSULTATION WITH THE OFFICE OF COURT ADMIN-
ISTRATION. SUCH OFFICE SHALL SCHEDULE SUCH TRAINING PRESENTATIONS.
S 3. This act shall take effect immediately.