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

                                  8036

                            I N  S E N A T E

                              June 7, 2016
                               ___________

Introduced  by Sen. NOZZOLIO -- read twice and ordered printed, and when
  printed to be committed to the Committee on Rules

AN ACT to amend the mental hygiene law, in relation to establishing  the
  autism spectrum disorders 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 AUTISM SPECTRUM DISORDERS PROGRAM.
  (A) THE OFFICE SHALL HAVE THE CENTRAL RESPONSIBILITY FOR ADMINISTERING
THE  PROVISIONS  OF  THIS ARTICLE AND OTHERWISE COORDINATING THE STATE'S
POLICIES WITH RESPECT TO AUTISM SPECTRUM DISORDERS, IN CONSULTATION WITH
THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH, THE OFFICE OF MENTAL HEALTH, THE DEPARTMENT OF
EDUCATION, THE OFFICE OF ALCOHOLISM AND SUBSTANCE  ABUSE  SERVICES,  THE
OFFICE OF CHILDREN AND FAMILY SERVICES, THE OFFICE OF TEMPORARY DISABIL-
ITY  ASSISTANCE, THE COUNCIL ON CHILDREN AND FAMILIES, THE DEPARTMENT OF
FINANCIAL SERVICES, THE DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES PLANNING COUNCIL  AND
THE JUSTICE CENTER FOR THE PROTECTION OF PEOPLE WITH SPECIAL NEEDS.
  (B) THE OFFICE SHALL HAVE THE FOLLOWING FUNCTIONS AND DUTIES:
  (1)  TO  DEVELOP,  IMPLEMENT, MONITOR, AND ANNUALLY UPDATE A STATEWIDE
AUTISM SPECTRUM DISORDERS PROGRAM WHICH SHALL PROVIDE FOR COMPREHENSIVE,
LIFESPAN SUPPORTS TO INDIVIDUALS  WITH  AUTISM  SPECTRUM  DISORDERS  AND
THEIR FAMILIES THROUGH ACCESS TO INFORMATION AND RESOURCES, COORDINATION
OF SERVICES, AND IMPLEMENTATION OF EVIDENCE-BASED PRACTICES;
  (2)  TO  FURNISH  THE GOVERNOR, THE TEMPORARY PRESIDENT OF THE SENATE,
AND THE SPEAKER OF THE ASSEMBLY WITH THE ANNUALLY UPDATED PLAN  REQUIRED
PURSUANT  TO  PARAGRAPH ONE OF THIS SUBDIVISION NO LATER THAN SIXTY DAYS
AFTER THE CLOSE OF EACH FISCAL YEAR;
  (3) TO ACCEPT AND EXPEND ANY GRANTS, AWARDS OF OTHER FUNDS  OR  APPRO-
PRIATIONS AS MAY BE AVAILABLE FOR THESE PURPOSES, SUBJECT TO LIMITATIONS
AS  TO  THE  APPROVAL OF EXPENDITURES AND AUDITS AS PRESCRIBED FOR STATE
FUNDS BY THE STATE FINANCE LAW; AND
  (4) TO THE EXTENT FEASIBLE, UTILIZE EXISTING ORGANIZATIONS WITH DEMON-
STRATED INTEREST AND EXPERTISE IN SERVING PERSONS WITH  AUTISM  SPECTRUM

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

                                                           LBD15753-02-6

S. 8036                             2

DISORDERS  AND  SHALL, WITHIN FUNDS AVAILABLE, ENTER INTO CONTRACTS WITH
SUCH ORGANIZATIONS.
  (C) (1) THERE IS HEREBY ESTABLISHED WITHIN THE OFFICE THE AUTISM SPEC-
TRUM DISORDERS ADVISORY BOARD.
  (2) SUCH BOARD SHALL CONSIST OF NINETEEN MEMBERS, TEN OF WHOM SHALL BE
APPOINTED  AND NINE OF WHOM SHALL SERVE EX OFFICIO. OF THE TEN APPOINTED
MEMBERS, TWO SHALL BE APPOINTED BY THE GOVERNOR, TWO SHALL BE  APPOINTED
BY  THE TEMPORARY PRESIDENT OF THE SENATE, TWO SHALL BE APPOINTED BY THE
SPEAKER OF THE ASSEMBLY, TWO SHALL BE APPOINTED BY THE  MINORITY  LEADER
OF  THE  SENATE AND TWO SHALL BE APPOINTED BY THE MINORITY LEADER OF THE
ASSEMBLY. OF THE TWO MEMBERS APPOINTED BY EACH APPOINTING AUTHORITY, ONE
MEMBER SHALL HAVE EXPERTISE OF WORK AS A PROFESSIONAL IN  THE  FIELD  OF
AUTISM AND ONE MEMBER SHALL BE A FAMILY ADVOCATE OR SELF-ADVOCATE IN THE
COMMUNITY  THAT SUCH ADVOCATE RESIDES. A REPRESENTATIVE FROM EACH OF THE
FOLLOWING STATE AGENCIES SHALL SERVE EX OFFICIO: THE OFFICE  FOR  PEOPLE
WITH DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES; THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION; THE OFFICE
OF  MENTAL  HEALTH;  THE  OFFICE  OF  CHILDREN  AND FAMILY SERVICES; THE
DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH; THE DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES  PLANNING  COUNCIL;
THE  COUNCIL  ON CHILDREN AND FAMILIES; AND THE OFFICE OF VOCATIONAL AND
EDUCATIONAL SERVICES FOR INDIVIDUALS WITH DISABILITIES.   THE  CHAIR  OF
THE BOARD SHALL BE SELECTED BY THE GOVERNOR.
  (3) MEMBERS OF THE BOARD SHALL SERVE AT THE PLEASURE OF THE APPOINTING
AUTHORITY.  VACANCIES ON THE BOARD SHALL BE FILLED IN THE SAME MANNER AS
THE ORIGINAL APPOINTMENT. MEMBERS OF THE BOARD SHALL RECEIVE NO  COMPEN-
SATION, BUT MAY BE REIMBURSED FOR ACTUAL AND NECESSARY EXPENSES INCURRED
IN THE PERFORMANCE OF THEIR DUTIES WITHIN AMOUNTS APPROPRIATED THEREFOR.
  (4)  SUCH BOARD SHALL MEET AT LEAST QUARTERLY. SPECIAL MEETINGS MAY BE
CALLED BY THE CHAIR. THE AGENDA AND MEETING  PLACE  OF  ALL  REGULAR  OR
SPECIAL  MEETINGS  SHALL  BE  MADE AVAILABLE TO THE PUBLIC IN ADVANCE OF
SUCH MEETINGS.
  S 2. This act shall take effect immediately.