S T A T E   O F   N E W   Y O R K
 ________________________________________________________________________
 
                                   3122
 
                        2021-2022 Regular Sessions
 
                           I N  A S S E M B L Y
 
                             January 22, 2021
                                ___________
 
 Introduced  by M. of A. KIM, COLTON, GALEF, FRIEND, McDONOUGH, WILLIAMS,
   J. M. GIGLIO, DICKENS, HYNDMAN, JEAN-PIERRE, CAHILL -- Multi-Sponsored
   by -- M. of A.  SIMON, THIELE -- read once and referred to the Commit-
   tee on Health
 
 AN ACT to amend the public health law and  the  state  finance  law,  in
   relation to establishing a public awareness and education campaign for
   addiction;  treatment options; reducing the stigma of seeking help for
   addiction; and making an appropriation therefor
 
   THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK, REPRESENTED IN SENATE AND  ASSEM-
 BLY, DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS:
 
   Section  1.  The  public health law is amended by adding a new section
 3309-b to read as follows:
   § 3309-B. PUBLIC AWARENESS CAMPAIGN FOR SUBSTANCE ADDICTION.  THERE IS
 HEREBY ESTABLISHED WITHIN THE DEPARTMENT AN ADDICTION AWARENESS  PROGRAM
 TO EDUCATE THE PUBLIC OF ADDICTION AS A SERIOUS PUBLIC HEALTH ISSUE, AND
 TO  OFFER  REMEDIES FOR SUCH HEALTH ISSUE THROUGH EDUCATIONAL ADVERTISE-
 MENTS, INCLUDING INFORMATION SUCH AS, BUT NOT LIMITED TO, (1)  TREATMENT
 OPTIONS,  (2) REDUCING THE STIGMA OF SEEKING HELP FOR ADDICTION, AND (3)
 ACKNOWLEDGING ADDICTION AS A HEALTH ISSUE (CHEMICAL  RELATED  DISORDER),
 RATHER THAN A LIFESTYLE ISSUE (CHOICE).
   §  2. The state finance law is amended by adding a new section 99-g to
 read as follows:
   § 99-G. ADDICTION AWARENESS FUND. 1. THERE IS  HEREBY  ESTABLISHED  IN
 THE JOINT CUSTODY OF THE STATE COMPTROLLER AND THE COMMISSIONER OF TAXA-
 TION AND FINANCE A FUND TO BE KNOWN AS THE "ADDICTION AWARENESS FUND".
   2.  THE FUND SHALL CONSIST OF ALL MONIES APPROPRIATED FOR ITS PURPOSE,
 AND ALL MONIES REQUIRED BY ANY PROVISION OF LAW TO BE PAID INTO OR CRED-
 ITED TO SUCH FUND. NOTHING CONTAINED HEREIN SHALL PREVENT THE DEPARTMENT
 OF HEALTH FROM RECEIVING GRANTS, GIFTS OR BEQUESTS FOR THE  PURPOSES  OF
 THE  FUND  AS  DEFINED IN THIS SECTION AND DEPOSITING THEM INTO THE FUND
 ACCORDING TO LAW.
 
  EXPLANATION--Matter in ITALICS (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
                       [ ] is old law to be omitted.
              

                                                            LBD06036-01-1

 A. 3122                             2
 
   3. MONIES SHALL BE PAYABLE FROM THE FUND ON THE AUDIT AND  WARRANT  OF
 THE  STATE COMPTROLLER ON VOUCHERS APPROVED AND CERTIFIED BY THE COMMIS-
 SIONER OF HEALTH.
   §  3. The sum of five million dollars ($5,000,000), or so much thereof
 as may be necessary, is hereby appropriated to the department of  health
 out of any moneys in the state treasury in the general fund to the cred-
 it of the addiction awareness fund, not otherwise appropriated, and made
 immediately available, for the purpose of carrying out the provisions of
 this  act.  Such moneys shall be payable on the audit and warrant of the
 comptroller on vouchers certified or approved  by  the  commissioner  of
 health in the manner prescribed by law.
   § 4. This act shall take effect immediately.