S T A T E O F N E W Y O R K
________________________________________________________________________
219--A
2015-2016 Regular Sessions
I N A S S E M B L Y
(PREFILED)
January 7, 2015
___________
Introduced by M. of A. ABINANTI, LINARES -- read once and referred to
the Committee on Mental Health -- reported and referred to the Commit-
tee on Ways and Means -- committee discharged, bill amended, ordered
reprinted as amended and recommitted to said committee
AN ACT to amend the mental hygiene law, in relation to establishing the
direct support professional credential pilot program
THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK, REPRESENTED IN SENATE AND ASSEM-
BLY, DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS:
Section 1. The mental hygiene law is amended by adding a new section
13.42 to read as follows:
S 13.42 DIRECT SUPPORT PROFESSIONAL CREDENTIAL PILOT PROGRAM.
(A) THE OFFICE SHALL INITIATE A PROGRAM TO CONTINUE TO GAIN THE EXPER-
TISE AND KNOWLEDGE OF THE DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES WORKFORCE AND OF
THE DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES WORKFORCE RECRUITMENT AND RETENTION NEEDS
THROUGHOUT THE FIELD. THE OFFICE SHALL IMPLEMENT A DIRECT SUPPORT
PROFESSIONAL CREDENTIAL PILOT PROGRAM TO ASSIST AND ATTRACT INDIVIDUALS
INTO THE FIELD OF DIRECT SUPPORT, ADVANCE DIRECT SUPPORT AS A CAREER AND
PROFESSIONALIZE THE FIELD TO PROMOTE WORKFORCE RECRUITMENT AND RETENTION
EFFORTS, ADVANCE SKILLS AND COMPETENCIES, AND FURTHER ENSURE THE HEALTH,
SAFETY AND WELL BEING OF INDIVIDUALS BEING SERVED.
(B) THERE HEREBY IS CREATED THE DIRECT SUPPORT PROFESSIONAL CREDENTIAL
PILOT PROGRAM WITHIN THE OFFICE TO ASSIST INDIVIDUALS IN THE FIELD
OBTAIN A CREDENTIAL IN THEIR FIELD OF EXPERTISE.
(1) SUCH PILOT PROGRAM SHALL BE ADMINISTERED BY THE OFFICE FOR THREE
YEARS. THE PILOT PROGRAM SHALL INCLUDE STATE-OPERATED FACILITIES AND
NOT-FOR-PROFIT PROVIDERS, LICENSED AND CERTIFIED BY THE OFFICE. THE
PURPOSE OF THE PILOT PROGRAM SHALL BE TO ASSESS HOW THE ESTABLISHMENT OF
A STATE ACCREDITED DIRECT SUPPORT PROFESSIONAL CREDENTIAL: (A) PROMOTES
RECRUITMENT AND RETENTION EFFORTS IN THE DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES
FIELD, NOTABLY THE DIRECT SUPPORT PROFESSIONAL POSITION; (B) ENHANCES
EXPLANATION--Matter in ITALICS (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD03397-02-5
A. 219--A 2
COMPETENCE IN THE DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES FIELD; (C) YIELDS QUALITY
SUPPORTS AND SERVICES TO INDIVIDUALS WITH DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES;
AND (D) ADVANCES THE HEALTH AND SAFETY REQUIREMENTS SET FORTH BY THE
STATE.
(2) THE OFFICE IN ADMINISTERING THE PILOT PROGRAM SHALL CONSIDER, BUT
NOT BE LIMITED TO, THE FOLLOWING:
(A) BEST PRACTICES LEARNING INITIATIVES, INCLUDING THE UNIVERSITY OF
MINNESOTA'S COLLEGE OF DIRECT SUPPORT AND NEW YORK STATE DIRECT SUPPORT
PROFESSIONAL COMPETENCIES;
(B) NATIONAL DIRECT SUPPORT PROFESSIONAL COMPETENCIES OR CREDENTIALING
BASED STANDARDS AND TRAININGS;
(C) FACILITATING DIRECT SUPPORT PROFESSIONALS PORTFOLIO DEVELOPMENT;
(D) THE ROLE AND VALUE OF SKILL MENTORS; AND
(E) CREATING A CAREER LADDER.
(3) DIRECT SUPPORT PROFESSIONAL CREDENTIAL MEANS A DOCUMENT ISSUED TO
AN INDIVIDUAL BY A RECOGNIZED ACCREDITING BODY ATTESTING THAT SUCH INDI-
VIDUAL HAS MET THE PROFESSIONAL REQUIREMENTS OF THE CREDENTIALING
PROGRAM BY THE OFFICE.
(4) THE OFFICE SHALL PRODUCE A REPORT DETAILING THE PROGRESS OF THE
PILOT PROGRAM, INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO:
(A) THE RATE OF RECRUITMENT AND RETENTION FOR DIRECT SUPPORT PROFES-
SIONALS OF PROVIDERS PARTICIPATING IN THE PILOT PROGRAM COMPARED TO THE
RATE FOR NON-PARTICIPATING PROVIDERS;
(B) THE NUMBER OF DIRECT SUPPORT PROFESSIONALS CREDENTIALED; AND
(C) THE ENHANCEMENT OF QUALITY SUPPORTS AND SERVICES TO INDIVIDUALS
WITH DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES.
S 2. This act shall take effect April 1, 2016.