Senate Bill S4841A

2025-2026 Legislative Session

Establishes the blue-ribbon commission on the future of New York state's service delivery system for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities act

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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

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Date of Action	Assembly Actions - Lowercase Senate Actions - UPPERCASE
May 27, 2025	reported and committed to finance
May 06, 2025	print number 4841a
May 06, 2025	amend and recommit to disabilities
Feb 13, 2025	referred to disabilities

Votes

- May 27, 2025 - Disabilities Committee Vote
  S4841A
  
  Aye
  
  6
  
  Nay
  
  0
  
  Aye with Reservations
  
  0
  
  Absent
  
  0
  
  Excused
  
  0
  
  Abstained
  
  0
  - - Disabilities Committee Vote: May 27, 2025
      
      aye (6)
      
      Ashby
      
      Fahy
      
      Martinez
      
      Persaud
      
      Scarcella-Spanton
      
      Weber

Bill Amendments

Original

A (Active)

2025-S4841 - Details

See Assembly Version of this Bill:: A6021
Current Committee:: Senate Finance
Law Section:: Mental Hygiene
Versions Introduced in 2023-2024 Legislative Session:: S8782, A9553

2025-S4841 - Summary

Establishes the "blue-ribbon commission on the future of New York state's service delivery system for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities act" to conduct a study and prepare a report to examine, evaluate and make recommendations for systemic reforms to ensure a sustainable set of supports and services that meets the evolving needs of all individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities; provides for the repeal of such provisions upon expiration thereof.

2025-S4841 - Sponsor Memo

                                 
BILL NUMBER: S4841

SPONSOR: FAHY
 
TITLE OF BILL:

An act establishing the "blue-ribbon commission on the future of New
York state's service delivery system for individuals with intellectual
and developmental disabilities act"; and providing for the repeal of
such provisions upon expiration thereof

 
PURPOSE OR GENERAL IDEA OF BILL:

The purpose of this bill is to establish a blue ribbon commission to
conduct a comprehensive study and prepare a report to examine, evaluate
and make recommendations for systemic reforms to ensure a sustainable
set of supports and services that meets the needs of all individuals
with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

 
SUMMARY OF PROVISIONS:

Section 1 of this bill would establish the name of the act as the "Blue-
Ribbon Commission on the Future of New York State's Service Delivery

System for People with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities Act."

Section 2 of this bill would require the commission to conduct a compre-
hensive study and prepare a report to examine, evaluate and make recom-
mendations for systemic reforms to ensure a sustainable set of supports
and services that meets the needs of all individuals with intellectual
and developmental disabilities.

Section 3 of this bill would establish the membership of the commission
and the procedures of such commission.

Section 4 of this bill would provide that such commission shall examine
topics including, but not limited to solutions to address the recruit-
ment and retention of the direct care workforce; access to person
centered supports and services that reduce racial and socio-economic
inequities and disparities and anticipates changing demographics of the
population; technology and infrastructure needs, including potential
future needs and uses to improve effectiveness of the service system;
the evolving service needs of individuals with intellectual and develop-
mental disabilities,especially those with co-occurring behavioral health
needs and other cross-systems issues; evolving housing needs and oppor-
tunities,that support the state's Olmstead plan and independent living
in community-based settings; and increasing competitive, integrated
employment for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabili-
ties.

Section 5 of this bill would require that the commission make a report
to the Governor and Legislature of its findings and recommendations not
later than fifteen months after the effective date of this bill.

Section 6 of this bill provides that the effective date shall take
effect immediately and shall expire and be deemed repealed two years
after it shall have become a law.

 
JUSTIFICATION:


The current system of supports and services to people with Intellectual
and Developmental Disabilities (I/DD) focuses on a way of delivering
services that lacks a true person-centered philosophy and is difficult
for New Yorkers with I/DD to navigate. Exacerbated by the longstanding
workforce shortage and worsened by the COVID-19 pandemic; the demands on
the sustainability of New York's system of supports and services to
individuals with I/DD weigh heavily on both State and provider agency
finances, staff resources, and the health and well being of people who
are served. At the same time, innovations and technological advancements
have the potential to positively impact individuals with I/DD and
improve services and supports to everyone.

A commission would serve to explore ways in which the State can address
long-standing issues of equity, workforce development, safety, and hous-
ing, as well as taking advantage of available technology. This bill
would establish a blue ribbon commission to conduct a comprehensive
study and prepare a report to examine, evaluate and make recommendations
for systemic reforms to ensure a sustainable set of supports and
services that meets the needs of all individuals with intellectual and
developmental disabilities.

 
LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:

2023-24: S8782-A/ A9553-A

 
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS FOR STATE AND LOCAL GOVERNMENTS:

To be determined.

 
EFFECTIVE DATE:
This act shall take effect immediately and shall expire and be deemed
repealed two years after it shall have become a law.

2025-S4841 - Bill Text download pdf

                             
                     S T A T E   O F   N E W   Y O R K
 ________________________________________________________________________
 
                                   4841
 
                        2025-2026 Regular Sessions
 
                             I N  S E N A T E
 
                             February 13, 2025
                                ___________
 
 Introduced  by  Sen.  FAHY  --  read twice and ordered printed, and when
   printed to be committed to the Committee on Disabilities
 
 AN ACT establishing the "blue-ribbon commission on  the  future  of  New
   York state's service delivery system for individuals with intellectual
   and  developmental  disabilities act"; 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
 the "blue-ribbon commission on the future of New  York  state's  service
 delivery  system  for  individuals  with  intellectual and developmental
 disabilities act".
   § 2. A temporary commission, to be known as the  "blue-ribbon  commis-
 sion on the future of New York state's service delivery system for indi-
 viduals  with  intellectual and developmental disabilities", hereinafter
 referred to as the "commission", is  hereby  established  to  conduct  a
 comprehensive  study  and prepare a report to examine, evaluate and make
 recommendations for systemic reforms to  ensure  a  sustainable  set  of
 supports  and  services  that  meets  the  needs of all individuals with
 intellectual and developmental disabilities.
   § 3. 1. The commission shall consist of fifteen members  appointed  by
 the governor as follows:
   (a) two members who are individuals with developmental or intellectual
 disabilities;  one  of  whom  must  represent  a self-advocacy group for
 people with intellectual and developmental disabilities;
   (b) one member who is a representative of organized labor that repres-
 ents a facility operated by the office  for  people  with  developmental
 disabilities;
   (c)  one  member  who is a representative of a provider agency that is
 certified by the office for people with developmental disabilities;
 
  EXPLANATION--Matter in ITALICS (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
                       [ ] is old law to be omitted.
                                                            LBD02956-01-5
 S. 4841                             2

 
   (d) one member who is a not-for-profit housing developer with  experi-
 ence building a supervised living facility or a supportive living facil-
 ity as such terms are defined in section 1.03 of the mental hygiene law,
 or  a  group  home operated by a provider agency certified by the office
 for people with developmental disabilities;
   (e)  one member who is a representative of an organization established
 by section forty-four hundred three-g of the public health law;
   (f) one member who is a direct support professional certified  by  the
 office for people with developmental disabilities;
   (g)  two members upon recommendation of the temporary president of the
 senate;
   (h) one member upon recommendation  of  the  minority  leader  of  the
 senate;
   (i) two members upon recommendation of the speaker of the assembly;
   (j)  one  member  upon  recommendation  of  the minority leader of the
 assembly;
   (k) one member who is the commissioner of the office for  people  with
 developmental disabilities or such commissioner's designee; and
   (l) one member who is the chief disability officer or such chief disa-
 bility officer's designee.
   2.  The commissioner of the office for people with developmental disa-
 bilities shall serve as the chair of the commission.  Additionally,  the
 commission  shall  elect  a  vice-chair and a secretary from amongst its
 members. Vacancies in the membership of the  commission  and  among  its
 officers  shall  be  filled in the manner provided for original appoint-
 ments.
   3. The members of the commission shall  receive  no  compensation  for
 their services, but shall be allowed their actual and necessary expenses
 incurred in the performance of their duties hereunder.
   §  4. The study shall examine systemic reforms to ensure a sustainable
 set of supports and services that meets the evolving needs of all  indi-
 viduals  with intellectual and developmental disabilities, including but
 not limited to:
   1. solutions to address the recruitment and retention  of  the  direct
 care workforce;
   2.  access to person centered supports and services that reduce racial
 and  socio-economic  inequities and disparities and anticipates changing
 demographics of the population;
   3. technology and infrastructure  needs,  including  potential  future
 needs and uses to improve effectiveness of the service system;
   4.  the  evolving  service  needs of individuals with intellectual and
 developmental disabilities, especially those  with  co-occurring  behav-
 ioral health needs and other cross-systems issues;
   5.  evolving housing needs and opportunities, that support the state's
 Olmstead plan and independent living in community-based settings;
   6. increasing competitive, integrated employment for individuals  with
 intellectual and developmental disabilities.
   §  5.  Not  later than fifteen months after the effective date of this
 act, the commission shall prepare and submit to the governor, the tempo-
 rary president of the senate and the speaker of the assembly a report of
 the study's findings, together with specific recommendations for system-
 ic reforms to ensure a sustainable set of  supports  and  services  that
 meets  the  needs of all individuals with intellectual and developmental
 disabilities.
   § 6. This act shall take effect immediately and shall  expire  and  be
 deemed repealed two years after it shall have become a law.

2025-S4841A (ACTIVE) - Details

See Assembly Version of this Bill:: A6021
Current Committee:: Senate Finance
Law Section:: Mental Hygiene
Versions Introduced in 2023-2024 Legislative Session:: S8782, A9553

2025-S4841A (ACTIVE) - Summary

2025-S4841A (ACTIVE) - Sponsor Memo

                                 
BILL NUMBER: S4841A

SPONSOR: FAHY
 
TITLE OF BILL:

An act establishing the "blue-ribbon commission on the future of New
York state's service delivery system for individuals with intellectual
and developmental disabilities act"; and providing for the repeal of
such provisions upon expiration thereof

 
PURPOSE OR GENERAL IDEA OF BILL:

The purpose of this bill is to establish a blue ribbon commission to
conduct a comprehensive study and prepare a report to examine, evaluate
and make recommendations for systemic reforms to ensure a sustainable
set of supports and services that meets the needs of all individuals
with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

 
SUMMARY OF PROVISIONS:

Section 1 of this bill would establish the name of the act as the "Blue-
Ribbon Commission on the Future of New York State's Service Delivery

System for People with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities Act."

Section 2 of this bill would require the commission to conduct a compre-
hensive study and prepare a report to examine, evaluate and make recom-
mendations for systemic reforms to ensure a sustainable set of supports
and services that meets the needs of all individuals with intellectual
and developmental disabilities.

Section 3 of this bill would establish the membership of the commission
and the procedures of such commission.

Section 4 of this bill would provide that such commission shall examine
topics including, but not limited to solutions to address the recruit-
ment and retention of the direct care workforce; access to person
centered supports and services that reduce racial and socio-economic
inequities and disparities and anticipates changing demographics of the
population; technology and infrastructure needs, including potential
future needs and uses to improve effectiveness of the service system;
the evolving service needs of individuals with intellectual and develop-
mental disabilities,especially those with co-occurring behavioral health
needs and other cross-systems issues; evolving housing needs and oppor-
tunities,that support the state's Olmstead plan and independent living
in community-based settings; and increasing competitive, integrated
employment for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabili-
ties.

Section 5 of this bill would require that the commission make a report
to the Governor and Legislature of its findings and recommendations not
later than fifteen months after the effective date of this bill.

Section 6 of this bill provides that the effective date shall take
effect immediately and shall expire and be deemed repealed two years
after it shall have become a law.

 
JUSTIFICATION:


The current system of supports and services to people with Intellectual
and Developmental Disabilities (I/DD) focuses on a way of delivering
services that lacks a true person-centered philosophy and is difficult
for New Yorkers with I/DD to navigate. Exacerbated by the longstanding
workforce shortage and worsened by the COVID-19 pandemic; the demands on
the sustainability of New York's system of supports and services to
individuals with I/DD weigh heavily on both State and provider agency
finances, staff resources, and the health and well being of people who
are served. At the same time, innovations and technological advancements
have the potential to positively impact individuals with I/DD and
improve services and supports to everyone.

A commission would serve to explore ways in which the State can address
long-standing issues of equity, workforce development, safety, and hous-
ing, as well as taking advantage of available technology. This bill
would establish a blue ribbon commission to conduct a comprehensive
study and prepare a report to examine, evaluate and make recommendations
for systemic reforms to ensure a sustainable set of supports and
services that meets the needs of all individuals with intellectual and
developmental disabilities.

 
LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:

2023-24: S8782-A/ A9553-A

 
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS FOR STATE AND LOCAL GOVERNMENTS:

To be determined.

 
EFFECTIVE DATE:
This act shall take effect immediately and shall expire and be deemed
repealed two years after it shall have become a law.

2025-S4841A (ACTIVE) - Bill Text download pdf

                             
                     S T A T E   O F   N E W   Y O R K
 ________________________________________________________________________
 
                                  4841--A
 
                        2025-2026 Regular Sessions
 
                             I N  S E N A T E
 
                             February 13, 2025
                                ___________
 
 Introduced  by  Sen.  FAHY  --  read twice and ordered printed, and when
   printed to be committed to the Committee on Disabilities --  committee
   discharged, bill amended, ordered reprinted as amended and recommitted
   to said committee
 
 AN  ACT  establishing  the  "blue-ribbon commission on the future of New
   York state's service delivery system for individuals with intellectual
   and developmental disabilities act"; 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
 the  "blue-ribbon  commission  on the future of New York state's service
 delivery system for  individuals  with  intellectual  and  developmental
 disabilities act".
   §  2.  A temporary commission, to be known as the "blue-ribbon commis-
 sion on the future of New York state's service delivery system for indi-
 viduals with intellectual and developmental  disabilities",  hereinafter
 referred  to  as  the  "commission",  is hereby established to conduct a
 comprehensive study and prepare a report to examine, evaluate  and  make
 recommendations  for  systemic  reforms  to  ensure a sustainable set of
 supports and services that meets  the  needs  of  all  individuals  with
 intellectual and developmental disabilities.
   §  3.  1. The commission shall consist of fifteen members appointed by
 the governor as follows:
   (a) two members who are individuals with developmental or intellectual
 disabilities; one of whom  must  represent  a  self-advocacy  group  for
 people with intellectual and developmental disabilities;
   (b) one member who is a representative of organized labor that repres-
 ents  a  facility  operated  by the office for people with developmental
 disabilities;
 
  EXPLANATION--Matter in ITALICS (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
                       [ ] is old law to be omitted.
                                                            LBD02956-04-5
 S. 4841--A                          2

 
   (c) one member who is a representative of a provider  agency  that  is
 certified by the office for people with developmental disabilities;
   (d)  one member who is a not-for-profit housing developer with experi-
 ence building a supervised living facility or a supportive living facil-
 ity as such terms are defined in section 1.03 of the mental hygiene law,
 or a group home operated by a provider agency certified  by  the  office
 for people with developmental disabilities;
   (e)  one member who is a representative of an organization established
 by section forty-four hundred three-g of the public health law;
   (f) one member who is a direct support professional certified  by  the
 office for people with developmental disabilities;
   (g)  two members upon recommendation of the temporary president of the
 senate;
   (h) one member upon recommendation  of  the  minority  leader  of  the
 senate;
   (i) two members upon recommendation of the speaker of the assembly;
   (j)  one  member  upon  recommendation  of  the minority leader of the
 assembly;
   (k) one member who is the commissioner of the office for  people  with
 developmental disabilities or such commissioner's designee; and
   (l) one member who is the chief disability officer or such chief disa-
 bility officer's designee.
   2.  (a)  At  least one-third of the membership of the commission shall
 consist of consumer representatives,  including  persons  with  develop-
 mental disabilities, or their parents or guardians.
   (b)  At least one member shall be an immediate relative or guardian of
 an individual with a developmental disability who resides or  previously
 resided  in  a community-based residential setting, or shall be an indi-
 vidual with a developmental disability who resides or previously resided
 in a community-based residential setting.
   3. The commissioner of the office for people with developmental  disa-
 bilities  shall  serve as the chair of the commission. Additionally, the
 commission shall elect a vice-chair and a  secretary  from  amongst  its
 members.  Vacancies  in  the  membership of the commission and among its
 officers shall be filled in the manner provided  for  original  appoint-
 ments.
   4.  The  members  of  the commission shall receive no compensation for
 their services, but shall be allowed their actual and necessary expenses
 incurred in the performance of their duties hereunder.
   § 4. The study shall examine systemic reforms to ensure a  sustainable
 set  of supports and services that meets the evolving needs of all indi-
 viduals with intellectual and developmental disabilities, including  but
 not limited to:
   1.  solutions  to  address the recruitment and retention of the direct
 care workforce;
   2.  access to person centered supports and services that reduce racial
 and socio-economic inequities and disparities and  anticipates  changing
 demographics of the population;
   3.  technology  and  infrastructure  needs, including potential future
 needs and uses to improve effectiveness of the service system;
   4. the evolving service needs of  individuals  with  intellectual  and
 developmental  disabilities,  especially  those with co-occurring behav-
 ioral health needs and other cross-systems issues;
   5. evolving housing needs and opportunities, that support the  state's
 Olmstead plan and independent living in community-based settings;
 S. 4841--A                          3
 
   6.  increasing competitive, integrated employment for individuals with
 intellectual and developmental disabilities.
   §  5.  Not  later than fifteen months after the effective date of this
 act, the commission shall prepare and submit to the governor, the tempo-
 rary president of the senate and the speaker of the assembly a report of
 the study's findings, together with specific recommendations for system-
 ic reforms to ensure a sustainable set of  supports  and  services  that
 meets  the  needs of all individuals with intellectual and developmental
 disabilities.
   § 6. This act shall take effect immediately and shall  expire  and  be
 deemed repealed two years after it shall have become a law.

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Senate Bill S4841A

Sponsored By

Current Bill Status - In Senate Committee Finance Committee

Actions

Votes

May 27, 2025 - Disabilities Committee Vote

Disabilities Committee Vote: May 27, 2025

Bill Amendments

2025-S4841 - Details

2025-S4841 - Summary

2025-S4841 - Sponsor Memo

2025-S4841 - Bill Text download pdf

2025-S4841A (ACTIVE) - Details

2025-S4841A (ACTIVE) - Summary

2025-S4841A (ACTIVE) - Sponsor Memo

2025-S4841A (ACTIVE) - Bill Text download pdf

Comments

Do you support this bill?

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Senate Bill S4841A

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Sponsored By

Patricia Fahy

Current Bill Status - In Senate Committee Finance Committee

Actions

Votes

Bill Amendments

2025-S4841 - Details

2025-S4841 - Summary

2025-S4841 - Sponsor Memo

2025-S4841 - Bill Text download pdf

2025-S4841A (ACTIVE) - Details

2025-S4841A (ACTIVE) - Summary

2025-S4841A (ACTIVE) - Sponsor Memo

2025-S4841A (ACTIVE) - Bill Text download pdf

Comments