S T A T E O F N E W Y O R K
________________________________________________________________________
8576
2019-2020 Regular Sessions
I N A S S E M B L Y
September 13, 2019
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Introduced by M. of A. COOK, ORTIZ, CRESPO -- Multi-Sponsored by -- M.
of A. GOTTFRIED, LENTOL, RIVERA -- read once and referred to the
Committee on Alcoholism and Drug Abuse
AN ACT to establish senior citizen alcoholism treatment and training
demonstration programs
THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK, REPRESENTED IN SENATE AND ASSEM-
BLY, DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS:
Section 1. Legislative intent. The latest New York State census iden-
tifies twelve and three-tenths percent of the state's residents as age
sixty-five or older. The New York state office of alcoholism and
substance abuse services has identified chemical abuse and dependence
among the elder population as a serious and growing problem. This can
result from isolation, depression or the interaction of prescribed
drugs. Too many professionals: doctors, nurses, pharmacists and social
workers are unfamiliar with the science of gerontology and the special
physiological and psychological needs of the elderly. In addition, many
community-based programs and facilities, nursing homes and senior citi-
zen centers are not aware of the incidence of chemical abuse and depend-
ence among the elderly and do not have the expertise to recognize their
clients' problems, resulting in a barrier to prevention, detection and
treatment.
It is, therefore, the intention of the legislature to eliminate barri-
ers to effective chemical abuse and dependence services through this act
by establishing chemical abuse prevention, education and treatment
demonstration programs for senior citizens in the office of alcoholism
and substance abuse services.
§ 2. The commissioner of alcoholism and substance abuse services in
consultation with the director of the office for the aging shall develop
comprehensive chemical abuse prevention, education and treatment demon-
stration programs to address the unique needs of the elderly.
EXPLANATION--Matter in ITALICS (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD13681-01-9
A. 8576 2
§ 3. Subject to appropriation, funds for support of demonstration
projects for the purposes stated in section two of this act shall be
allocated to eligible local governments and not-for-profit providers
through a request for proposal process to be designed by the office of
alcoholism and substance abuse services in consultation with the office
for the aging.
§ 4. In reviewing applications for funding, the commissioner of alco-
holism and substance abuse services shall consider such factors as
program cost-effectiveness; the ability of such proposals to offer
programmatically appropriate, long-term, stable services; and the abili-
ty of such proposals to enable elderly persons to receive chemical abuse
and dependence services; and geographic need. While incidence and preva-
lence shall be significant factors in the distribution of funds, demon-
stration projects approved pursuant to this act shall be established in
regions across the state.
§ 5. No expenditure shall be made until the commissioner of alcoholism
and substance abuse services has approved a program and fiscal plan for
chemical abuse and dependence prevention, education and treatment demon-
stration projects. Such plan shall include, but not be limited to, the
following:
i. Specific criteria to be applied in evaluating the requests for
proposal;
ii. Uniform program and cost standards;
iii. Criteria to be used to evaluate the outcome of the demonstration
projects, including specific requirements to be met by providers of
service.
§ 6. This act shall take effect on the first of April next succeeding
the date on which it shall have become a law.