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

                                  9608

                          I N  A S S E M B L Y

                             March 22, 2016
                               ___________

Introduced by M. of A. CRESPO -- read once and referred to the Committee
  on Aging

AN  ACT  to  amend the executive law, in relation to creating the multi-
  disciplinary team demonstration program

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

  Section 1. Legislative findings. The utilization of multi-disciplinary
teams  (MDTs) can be extremely valuable in the implementation of certain
programs, particularly those which  are  likely  to  have  a  widespread
impact  and affect several professions, as is the case with most systems
of mandatory reporting. MDTs make use of the experience, expertise,  and
perspectives  which  may be unique to individuals involved in one of the
affected professions. Before a program is implemented which may  have  a
broad impact, MDTs can be a valuable resource in developing an effective
strategy  that  minimizes  unintended  negative  consequences.  In  many
instances, it is appropriate for a government entity to establish an MDT
with which the entity may collaborate with and seek input from regarding
the specifics of a planned project.
  Beyond the general usefulness of MDTs, where a proposed program  which
will affect the members of many professions is to be created by statute,
it  is  often  recommended  to  also  include language providing for the
establishment of MDT to provide input on any specifics not contained  in
the statute. This inclusion ensures that the involved professions have a
chance  to be heard before a program is implemented in a way which might
adversely affect the members of  such  professions  or  the  individuals
served by the professions.
  S  2.  The  executive  law is amended by adding a new section 501-i to
read as follows:
  S 501-I. MULTI-DISCIPLINARY TEAM DEMONSTRATION PROGRAM. THE OFFICE  OF
CHILDREN  AND  FAMILY SERVICES IS HEREBY AUTHORIZED, IN CONJUNCTION WITH
THE OFFICE FOR THE AGING, TO ESTABLISH A MULTI-DISCIPLINARY TEAM  DEMON-
STRATION  PROGRAM, SUBJECT TO APPROPRIATION OF FUNDS FOR THE PROGRAM, TO
ESTABLISH MULTI-DISCIPLINARY TEAMS AT THE COUNTY LEVEL FOR COMPLEX CASES
OF ADULT ABUSE, NEGLECT, OR FINANCIAL EXPLOITATION. SUCH MULTI-DISCIPLI-

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

                                                           LBD13916-01-6

A. 9608                             2

NARY TEAMS WILL BE COMPRISED OF PROFESSIONALS  ACROSS  DISCIPLINES  THAT
PROVIDE PROFESSIONAL KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERTISE OF THEIR RESPECTIVE PROFES-
SIONAL  DISCIPLINES,  AS  WELL  AS  A FULL-TIME, SKILLED AND EXPERIENCED
MULTI-DISCIPLINARY TEAM COORDINATOR FOR EACH DEMONSTRATION LOCATION. THE
MULTI-DISCIPLINARY  TEAM  COORDINATOR  WILL  PROVIDE  CASE CONSULTATION,
TRIAGE CASES, FACILITATE COUNTY-LEVEL MULTI-DISCIPLINARY TEAM  MEETINGS,
MONITOR  PROGRESS, AND FACILITATE COORDINATION AND COOPERATIVE ACTION IN
THE PROVISION OF APPROPRIATE SERVICES TO  AN  INDIVIDUAL  IDENTIFIED  AS
BEING  A VICTIM OF ABUSE, NEGLECT, OR FINANCIAL EXPLOITATION, AS WELL AS
OTHER DUTIES ASSOCIATED WITH THE  ROLE.  SUCH  MULTI-DISCIPLINARY  TEAMS
SHALL CONSIST OF REPRESENTATION BY PROFESSIONALS GENERALLY AUTHORIZED TO
MAKE  DECISIONS ON BEHALF OF THEIR AGENCY FROM SELECTED PUBLIC, PRIVATE,
AND VOLUNTARY AGENCIES INCLUDING  BUT  NOT  LIMITED  TO  HEALTH/MEDICAL,
MENTAL  HEALTH, AGING, PROTECTIVE SERVICES, HUMAN SERVICES, SOCIAL WORK,
BANKING/FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS,  LEGAL  SERVICES,  AND  LAW  ENFORCEMENT
AGENCIES,  AND  INCLUDE  SPECIALTY SERVICES SUCH AS FORENSIC ACCOUNTING,
GERIATRICS, AND PSYCHIATRY/GEROPSYCHIATRY, ON A FEE-FOR-SERVICE BASIS. A
SECURE DATABASE USE  BY  THE  MULTI-DISCIPLINARY  TEAM  COORDINATOR  FOR
INTAKE,  TRACKING,  AND  OUTCOMES  OF SUCH CASES WILL BE ESTABLISHED AND
USED AS PART OF THE DEMONSTRATION PROGRAM.
  S 3. This act shall take effect immediately.