NY State Senate Bill 2023-S6499A

Senate Bill S6499A

2023-2024 Legislative Session

Establishes an intensive addiction recovery and mental health integrated services pilot program

download bill text pdf

Current Bill Status - In Senate Committee Finance Committee

Introduced
- In Committee Assembly
- In Committee Senate
- On Floor Calendar Assembly
- On Floor Calendar Senate
- Passed Assembly
- Passed Senate
Delivered to Governor
Signed By Governor

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Actions

View Actions

	Assembly Actions - Lowercase Senate Actions - UPPERCASE
Jan 17, 2024	reported and committed to finance
Jan 10, 2024	print number 6499a
Jan 10, 2024	amend and recommit to alcoholism and substance use disorders
Jan 03, 2024	referred to alcoholism and substance use disorders
May 17, 2023	reported and committed to finance
Apr 24, 2023	referred to alcoholism and substance use disorders

Votes

- Jan 17, 2024 - Alcoholism And Substance Use Disorders Committee Vote
  S6499A
  
  6
  
  Aye
  
  0
  
  Nay
  
  0
  
  Aye with Reservations
  
  0
  
  Absent
  
  1
  
  Excused
  
  0
  
  Abstained
  - - Alcoholism And Substance Use Disorders Committee Vote: Jan 17, 2024
      
      aye (6)
      
      Fernandez
      
      Harckham
      
      Martinez
      
      Rivera
      
      Rolison
      
      Ryan
      
      excused (1)
      
      Oberacker
  May 17, 2023 - Alcoholism And Substance Use Disorders Committee Vote
  S6499A
  
  7
  
  Aye
  
  0
  
  Nay
  
  0
  
  Aye with Reservations
  
  0
  
  Absent
  
  0
  
  Excused
  
  0
  
  Abstained
  - - Alcoholism And Substance Use Disorders Committee Vote: May 17, 2023
      
      aye (7)
      
      Fernandez
      
      Harckham
      
      Martinez
      
      Oberacker
      
      Rivera
      
      Rolison
      
      Ryan

Bill Amendments

Original

A (Active)

co-Sponsors

2023-S6499 - Details

Current Committee:: Senate Finance
Law Section:: Mental Hygiene Law
Laws Affected:: Add §19.18-d, Ment Hyg L
Versions Introduced in 2021-2022 Legislative Session:: S8244

2023-S6499 - Summary

Establishes an intensive addiction recovery and mental health integrated services pilot program to support two three-year demonstration programs that provide intensive addiction and mental health integrated services to individuals with significant addiction and mental health issues who have had multiple and frequent treatment episodes.

2023-S6499 - Sponsor Memo

                                 
BILL NUMBER: S6499

SPONSOR: KENNEDY
 
TITLE OF BILL:

to amend the mental hygiene law, in relation to establishing an inten-
sive addiction recovery and mental health integrated services pilot
program; and providing for the repeal of such provisions upon expiration
thereof

 
PURPOSE OR GENERAL IDEA OF BILL:

This bill would establish an intensive addiction recovery and mental
health integrated services demonstration program for individuals with
significant addiction and mental health issues who have had multiple and
frequent treatment episodes

 
SUMMARY OF PROVISIONS:

Section 1: establishes "Topher's Law"

Section 2: amends the mental hygiene law by adding section 19.18-d to

create a pilot program to support two three-year demonstration programs
that provide intensive addiction and mental health integrated services
to individuals with significant addiction and mental health issues who
have had multiple and frequent treatment episodes. One of the demon-
stration programs shall be located in a rural area and one shall be
located in an urban setting. Services shall include but not be limited
to mental health counseling services for the individuals and their fami-
lies, peer supports, and transportation assistance, and shall be prima-
rily provided in the community or home of the individual, as clinically
and socially necessitated.

Section 3: requires the commissioner to provide a written evaluation no
later than January first, two thousand twenty-four, and annually there-
after, which, at minimum, addresses the overall effectiveness of the
program, identifies best practices for services provided and any addi-
tional services that may be appropriate, and addresses whether continua-
tion or expansion of the demonstration program is recommended. The writ-
ten evaluation shall be made publicly available on the office's website.

Section 4: establishes the effective date

 
JUSTIFICATION:

Topher's Law is an initiative designed to support individuals suffering
from co-occurring disorders (substance use disorders and significant
mental health diagnoses) by developing models that remove barriers to
obtaining treatment and promote greater access to appropriate services.
Most current OASAS treatment programs are not able to treat individuals
who have significant co-occurring disorders. This demonstration program
would assist individuals with both sets of diagnoses and create a
person-centered treatment model that ensures each individual receives a
level of care appropriate to them. Services encompassed by such a
person-centered treatment model may include:

* Peer Support;

* Family Counseling/Family Support;
* Mental Health Counseling;

* Substance Use Disorder Treatment;

* Medication Assisted Recovery;

* Regular employment transportation;

* Education transportation, such as trade school, 2- or 4-year degree
programs, or apprenticeships;

* Shopping for healthy food, clothing, and other essential items;

* Trips to Mutual Aid Meetings Narcotics Anonymous/Alcoholics Anonymous;

* Trips to court or drug court, or court-related appointments (probation
officer, social worker, etc.);

* Trips that reduce social isolation, such as social outings with others
engaged in sober living; and

* Trips to local recovery community outreach centers or other communi-
ty-based supports.

Because this model is tailored to individual needs, the program will
help individuals improve their situation by providing them with hope and
confidence to move forward. COVID-19 has increased social isolation and
unemployment leading to especially disastrous results for individuals
with co-occurring disorders. The primary purpose of this pilot program
is to provide services which are not currently offered to one of the
most vulnerable populations in OASAS treatment settings. Giving people
support they need to get back on their feet by providing integrated
services will pay back dividends in increased productivity, earning
potential, and a decrease in re-admittance in existing programs.

 
PRIOR LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:

None

 
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS FOR STATE AND LOCAL GOVERNMENTS:

To be determined.

 
EFFECTIVE DATE:
April 1, 2024 to March 31, 2027

2023-S6499 - Bill Text download pdf

                             
                     S T A T E   O F   N E W   Y O R K
 ________________________________________________________________________
 
                                   6499
 
                        2023-2024 Regular Sessions
 
                             I N  S E N A T E
 
                              April 24, 2023
                                ___________
 
 Introduced  by Sens. KENNEDY, MAY -- read twice and ordered printed, and
   when printed to be  committed  to  the  Committee  on  Alcoholism  and
   Substance Use Disorders
 
 AN  ACT  to amend the mental hygiene law, in relation to establishing an
   intensive addiction recovery and  mental  health  integrated  services
   pilot  program;  and  providing for the repeal of such provisions upon
   expiration thereof
 
   THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK, REPRESENTED IN SENATE AND  ASSEM-
 BLY, DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS:
 
   Section  1.   Short title. This act shall be known and may be cited as
 "Topher's Law".
   § 2.   The mental hygiene law is  amended  by  adding  a  new  section
 19.18-d to read as follows:
 § 19.18-D INTENSIVE  ADDICTION  AND  MENTAL  HEALTH  INTEGRATED SERVICES
             PILOT PROGRAM.
   1. WITHIN THE FUNDS APPROPRIATED TO THE OFFICE, A PILOT PROGRAM  SHALL
 BE  ESTABLISHED  TO  SUPPORT  TWO THREE-YEAR DEMONSTRATION PROGRAMS THAT
 PROVIDE INTENSIVE ADDICTION AND MENTAL  HEALTH  INTEGRATED  SERVICES  TO
 INDIVIDUALS WITH SIGNIFICANT ADDICTION AND MENTAL HEALTH ISSUES WHO HAVE
 HAD  MULTIPLE AND FREQUENT TREATMENT EPISODES.  ONE OF THE DEMONSTRATION
 PROGRAMS SHALL BE LOCATED IN A RURAL AREA AND ONE SHALL BE LOCATED IN AN
 URBAN SETTING AS DETERMINED BY THE COMMISSIONER.  THE SERVICES  PROVIDED
 SHALL  INCLUDE  BUT  NOT BE LIMITED TO MENTAL HEALTH COUNSELING SERVICES
 FOR THE INDIVIDUAL EXPERIENCING SIGNIFICANT ADDICTION AND MENTAL  HEALTH
 ISSUES  AND  THEIR FAMILY, PEER SUPPORTS, AND TRANSPORTATION ASSISTANCE.
 SUCH SERVICES SHALL BE PRIMARILY PROVIDED IN THE COMMUNITY  OR  HOME  OF
 SUCH INDIVIDUAL, AS CLINICALLY AND SOCIALLY NECESSITATED.
   2. NOT LATER THAN JUNE THIRTIETH, TWO THOUSAND TWENTY-SIX, AND ANNUAL-
 LY  THEREAFTER,  THE COMMISSIONER SHALL PROVIDE THE GOVERNOR, THE TEMPO-
 RARY PRESIDENT OF THE SENATE, THE SPEAKER OF THE ASSEMBLY, THE CHAIR  OF
 THE  SENATE  STANDING  COMMITTEE  ON  ALCOHOLISM AND DRUG ABUSE, AND THE
 
  EXPLANATION--Matter in ITALICS (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
                       [ ] is old law to be omitted.
                                                            LBD06362-01-3

 S. 6499                             2
 
 CHAIR OF THE ASSEMBLY COMMITTEE ON ALCOHOLISM  AND  DRUG  ABUSE  WITH  A
 WRITTEN EVALUATION OF THE DEMONSTRATION PROGRAMS ESTABLISHED PURSUANT TO
 SUBDIVISION  ONE  OF THIS SECTION.  SUCH EVALUATION SHALL, AT A MINIMUM,
 ADDRESS  THE OVERALL EFFECTIVENESS OF SUCH DEMONSTRATION PROGRAMS, IDEN-
 TIFY BEST  PRACTICES  FOR  SERVICES  PROVIDED  UNDER  THE  DEMONSTRATION
 PROGRAMS AND ANY ADDITIONAL SERVICES THAT MAY BE APPROPRIATE WITHIN EACH
 TYPE  OF PROGRAM OPERATED, REGULATED, FUNDED, OR APPROVED BY THE OFFICE,
 AND ADDRESS WHETHER CONTINUATION  OR  EXPANSION  OF  THE  PILOT  PROGRAM
 ESTABLISHED  BY  SUBDIVISION  ONE  OF THIS SECTION IS RECOMMENDED.   THE
 WRITTEN EVALUATION SHALL BE MADE  PUBLICLY  AVAILABLE  ON  THE  OFFICE'S
 WEBSITE.
   §  3.  This act shall take effect April 1, 2024 and shall expire March
 31, 2027 when upon such date the provisions of this act shall be  deemed
 repealed.

co-Sponsors

2023-S6499A (ACTIVE) - Details

Current Committee:: Senate Finance
Law Section:: Mental Hygiene Law
Laws Affected:: Add §19.18-d, Ment Hyg L
Versions Introduced in 2021-2022 Legislative Session:: S8244

2023-S6499A (ACTIVE) - Summary

2023-S6499A (ACTIVE) - Sponsor Memo

                                 
BILL NUMBER: S6499A

SPONSOR: KENNEDY
 
TITLE OF BILL:

An act to amend the mental hygiene law, in relation to establishing an
intensive addiction recovery and mental health integrated services pilot
program; and providing for the repeal of such provisions upon expiration
thereof

 
PURPOSE OR GENERAL IDEA OF BILL:

This bill would establish an intensive addiction recovery and mental
health integrated services demonstration program for individuals with
significant addiction and mental health issues who have had multiple and
frequent treatment episodes

 
SUMMARY OF PROVISIONS:

Section 1: establishes "Topher's Law"

Section 2: amends the mental hygiene law by adding section 19.18-d to

create a pilot program to support two three-year demonstration programs
that provide intensive addiction and mental health integrated services
to individuals with significant addiction and mental health issues who
have had multiple and frequent treatment episodes. One of the demon-
stration programs shall be located in a rural area and one shall be
located in an urban setting. Services shall include but not be limited
to mental health counseling services for the individuals and their fami-
lies, peer supports, and transportation assistance, and shall be prima-
rily provided in the community or home of the individual, as clinically
and socially necessitated. This section also requires a report within
one year of the conclusion of the demonstration program.

Section 4: establishes the effective date

 
JUSTIFICATION:

Topher's Law is an initiative designed to support individuals suffering
from co-occurring disorders (substance use disorders and significant
mental health diagnoses) by developing models that remove barriers to
obtaining treatment and promote greater access to appropriate services.
Most current OASAS treatment programs are not able to treat individuals
who have significant co-occurring disorders. This demonstration program
would assist individuals with both sets of diagnoses and create a
person-centered treatment model that ensures each individual receives a
level of care appropriate to them. Services encompassed by such a
person-centered treatment model may include:

* Peer Support;

* Family Counseling/Family Support;

  * Mental Health Counseling;

* Substance Use Disorder Treatment;

* Medication Assisted Recovery;

* Regular employment transportation;

*  Education  transportation,  such as trade school, 2- or 4-year degree
programs, or apprenticeships;

* Shopping for healthy food, clothing, and other essential items;

* Trips to Mutual Aid Meetings Narcotics Anonymous/Alcoholics Anonymous;

* Trips to court or drug court, or court-related appointments (probation
officer, social worker, etc.);

* Trips that reduce social isolation, such as social outings with others
engaged in sober living; and

* Trips to local recovery community outreach centers or  other  communi-
ty-based supports.

Because  this  model  is  tailored to individual needs, the program will
help individuals improve their situation by providing them with hope and
confidence to move forward. COVID-19 has increased social isolation  and
unemployment  leading  to  especially disastrous results for individuals
with co-occurring disorders. The primary purpose of this  pilot  program
is  to  provide  services  which are not currently offered to one of the
most vulnerable populations in OASAS treatment settings.  Giving  people
support  they  need  to  get  back on their feet by providing integrated
services will pay back  dividends  in  increased  productivity,  earning
potential, and a decrease in re-admittance in existing programs.

 
PRIOR LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:

2021-22: S.8244/A.8502

 
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS FOR STATE AND LOCAL GOVERNMENTS:

To be determined.

 
EFFECTIVE DATE:
April 1, 2025

2023-S6499A (ACTIVE) - Bill Text download pdf

                             
                     S T A T E   O F   N E W   Y O R K
 ________________________________________________________________________
 
                                  6499--A
 
                        2023-2024 Regular Sessions
 
                             I N  S E N A T E
 
                              April 24, 2023
                                ___________
 
 Introduced  by  Sens.  KENNEDY,  ASHBY,  MAY,  ROLISON -- read twice and
   ordered printed, and when printed to be committed to the Committee  on
   Alcoholism and Substance Use Disorders -- recommitted to the Committee
   on  Alcoholism  and  Substance Use Disorders in accordance with Senate
   Rule  6,  sec.  8  --  committee  discharged,  bill  amended,  ordered
   reprinted as amended and recommitted to said committee
 
 AN  ACT  to amend the mental hygiene law, in relation to establishing an
   intensive addiction recovery and  mental  health  integrated  services
   pilot  program;  and  providing for the repeal of such provisions upon
   expiration thereof
 
   THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK, REPRESENTED IN SENATE AND  ASSEM-
 BLY, DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS:
 
   Section  1.   Short title. This act shall be known and may be cited as
 "Topher's Law".
   § 2.   The mental hygiene law is  amended  by  adding  a  new  section
 19.18-d to read as follows:
 § 19.18-D INTENSIVE  ADDICTION  AND  MENTAL  HEALTH  INTEGRATED SERVICES
             PILOT PROGRAM.
   1. WITHIN THE FUNDS APPROPRIATED TO THE OFFICE, A PILOT PROGRAM  SHALL
 BE  ESTABLISHED  TO  SUPPORT  TWO THREE-YEAR DEMONSTRATION PROGRAMS THAT
 PROVIDE INTENSIVE ADDICTION AND MENTAL  HEALTH  INTEGRATED  SERVICES  TO
 INDIVIDUALS WITH SIGNIFICANT ADDICTION AND MENTAL HEALTH ISSUES WHO HAVE
 HAD  MULTIPLE AND FREQUENT TREATMENT EPISODES.  ONE OF THE DEMONSTRATION
 PROGRAMS SHALL BE LOCATED IN A RURAL AREA AND ONE SHALL BE LOCATED IN AN
 URBAN SETTING AS DETERMINED BY THE COMMISSIONER.  THE SERVICES  PROVIDED
 SHALL  INCLUDE  BUT  NOT BE LIMITED TO MENTAL HEALTH COUNSELING SERVICES
 FOR THE INDIVIDUAL EXPERIENCING SIGNIFICANT ADDICTION AND MENTAL  HEALTH
 ISSUES  AND  THEIR FAMILY, PEER SUPPORTS, AND TRANSPORTATION ASSISTANCE.
 SUCH SERVICES SHALL BE PRIMARILY PROVIDED IN THE COMMUNITY  OR  HOME  OF
 SUCH INDIVIDUAL, AS CLINICALLY AND SOCIALLY NECESSITATED.
 
  EXPLANATION--Matter in ITALICS (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
                       [ ] is old law to be omitted.
                                                            LBD06362-02-4
 S. 6499--A                          2

 
   2.  WITHIN ONE YEAR AFTER THE CONCLUSION OF THE DEMONSTRATION PROGRAM,
 THE COMMISSIONER SHALL PROVIDE THE GOVERNOR, THE TEMPORARY PRESIDENT  OF
 THE  SENATE, THE SPEAKER OF THE ASSEMBLY, THE CHAIR OF THE SENATE STAND-
 ING COMMITTEE ON ALCOHOLISM AND DRUG ABUSE, AND THE CHAIR OF THE  ASSEM-
 BLY  COMMITTEE ON ALCOHOLISM AND DRUG ABUSE WITH A WRITTEN EVALUATION OF
 THE DEMONSTRATION PROGRAMS ESTABLISHED PURSUANT TO  SUBDIVISION  ONE  OF
 THIS  SECTION.  SUCH EVALUATION SHALL, AT A MINIMUM, ADDRESS THE OVERALL
 EFFECTIVENESS OF SUCH DEMONSTRATION PROGRAMS,  IDENTIFY  BEST  PRACTICES
 FOR  SERVICES  PROVIDED  UNDER  THE DEMONSTRATION PROGRAMS AND ANY ADDI-
 TIONAL SERVICES THAT MAY BE APPROPRIATE  WITHIN  EACH  TYPE  OF  PROGRAM
 OPERATED,  REGULATED,  FUNDED,  OR  APPROVED  BY THE OFFICE, AND ADDRESS
 WHETHER CONTINUATION OR EXPANSION OF THE PILOT  PROGRAM  ESTABLISHED  BY
 SUBDIVISION  ONE OF THIS SECTION IS RECOMMENDED.  THE WRITTEN EVALUATION
 SHALL BE MADE PUBLICLY AVAILABLE ON THE OFFICE'S WEBSITE.
   § 3. This act shall take effect April 1, 2025 and shall expire on  the
 ninetieth  day  following  the  submission  of   the report provided for
 pursuant to subdivision 2 of section 19.18-d of the mental  hygiene  law
 as  added by section two of this act, when upon such date the provisions
 of this act shall be deemed repealed; provided that the commissioner  of
 the  office of addiction services and supports shall notify the legisla-
 tive bill drafting commission upon the occurrence of the  submission  of
 such  report  provided  for in section two of this act in order that the
 commission may maintain an accurate and timely effective  data  base  of
 the official text of the laws of the state of New York in furtherance of
 effectuating  the  provisions  of  section 44 of the legislative law and
 section 70-b of the public officers law.

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Senate Bill S6499A

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Sponsored By

Timothy M. Kennedy

Current Bill Status - In Senate Committee Finance Committee

Bill Amendments

co-Sponsors

Jacob Ashby

Rachel May

Rob Rolison

2023-S6499 - Details

2023-S6499 - Summary

2023-S6499 - Sponsor Memo

2023-S6499 - Bill Text download pdf

co-Sponsors

Jacob Ashby

Rachel May

Rob Rolison

2023-S6499A (ACTIVE) - Details

2023-S6499A (ACTIVE) - Summary

2023-S6499A (ACTIVE) - Sponsor Memo

2023-S6499A (ACTIVE) - Bill Text download pdf

Comments