S T A T E O F N E W Y O R K
________________________________________________________________________
2668
2015-2016 Regular Sessions
I N A S S E M B L Y
January 20, 2015
___________
Introduced by M. of A. ENGLEBRIGHT, SCHIMMINGER, RIVERA, COLTON,
GUNTHER, ROBINSON, LUPARDO, CUSICK, BENEDETTO, RAMOS, GOTTFRIED,
MARKEY, CLARK, JAFFEE -- Multi-Sponsored by -- M. of A. ABBATE,
ARROYO, BRENNAN, CAHILL, DINOWITZ, GALEF, PEOPLES-STOKES, PERRY,
TITUS, WRIGHT -- read once and referred to the Committee on Aging
AN ACT to amend the public health law, in relation to services for
persons with Alzheimer's disease and other dementias
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 hereby
finds and declares that Alzheimer's disease and other dementias repre-
sent a public health crisis in New York state. In nineteen hundred nine-
ty-two the legislature established the task force on Alzheimer's disease
and other dementias to identify priorities, policy alternatives and
emerging issues with respect to caregivers and individuals with
Alzheimer's disease and other dementias. As of 2007 it was estimated
that approximately five hundred thousand New York residents suffered
from Alzheimer's disease and related dementias. By the year 2050 it is
estimated that approximately one million five hundred thousand New York-
ers will develop this ailment. During the next decade, the oldest
segment of New York state's population will account for over forty
percent of all persons with dementia and these persons will require a
wide array of services. Thus the urgency has increased for developing
and implementing comprehensive public health and social services initi-
atives to help persons with dementia and their caregivers.
The legislature therefore establishes the state level coordinating
council for services related to Alzheimer's disease and other dementias
to oversee implementation of the recommendations of the coordinating
council which shall include the development of a comprehensive state
plan of action that will ensure coordination of public-private efforts
EXPLANATION--Matter in ITALICS (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD06492-01-5
A. 2668 2
to meet the needs of individuals with these dementias, their families
and the professionals and services that support them.
S 2. The article heading of article 20 of the public health law, as
added by chapter 738 of the laws of 1986, is amended to read as follows:
[REPORTING OF] SERVICES FOR ALZHEIMER'S DISEASE AND RELATED DEMENTIAS
S 3. Subdivision 2 of section 2003 of the public health law, as added
by chapter 738 of the laws of 1986, is amended to read as follows:
2. Notwithstanding any inconsistent provision of law, all information
collected pursuant to this article shall be confidential insofar as the
identity of the individual patient is concerned and shall be used solely
for the purposes as provided in this article. Access to the information
shall be limited to the authorized employees of the department and
persons with a valid scientific interest and qualifications, as defined
by the commissioner, INCLUDING THE MEMBERS OF THE COORDINATING COUNCIL
FOR SERVICES RELATED TO ALZHEIMER'S DISEASE AND OTHER DEMENTIAS ESTAB-
LISHED BY SECTION TWO THOUSAND FOUR-A OF THIS ARTICLE, who are engaged
in demographic, epidemiological or other similar studies related to
health, and who agree, in writing, to maintain confidentiality as estab-
lished by the commissioner.
S 4. This act shall take effect immediately.