Senate Bill S6153A

2025-2026 Legislative Session

Establishes certification and attestation for care managers employed by care coordination organizations

download bill text pdf

Current Bill Status - In Senate Committee Disabilities 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

Please enter your contact information

First Name

Last Name

Email Address

A valid email address is required.

Home address is used to determine the senate district in which you reside. Your support or opposition to this bill is then shared immediately with the senator who represents you.

Optional services from the NY State Senate:

Create an account. An account allows you to officially support or oppose key legislation, sign petitions with a single click, and follow issues, committees, and bills that matter to you. When you create an account, you agree to this platform's terms of participation.

Include a custom message for your Senator? (Optional)

Enter a message to your senator. Many New Yorkers use this to share the reasoning behind their support or opposition to the bill. Others might share a personal anecdote about how the bill would affect them or people they care about.

Actions

View Actions

Date of Action	Assembly Actions - Lowercase Senate Actions - UPPERCASE
May 15, 2026	print number 6153a
May 15, 2026	amend (t) and recommit to disabilities
Jan 07, 2026	referred to disabilities
Mar 05, 2025	referred to disabilities

Bill Amendments

Original

A (Active)

2025-S6153 - Details

See Assembly Version of this Bill:: A8288
Current Committee:: Senate Disabilities
Law Section:: Mental Hygiene Law
Laws Affected:: Amd §13.23, Ment Hyg L
Versions Introduced in 2023-2024 Legislative Session:: S9155, A10258

2025-S6153 - Summary

Enacts "Ella's law"; requires care managers employed by or under contract with a care coordination organization to provide care management services to an individual unless such care manager has completed all training requirements.

2025-S6153 - Sponsor Memo

                                 
BILL NUMBER: S6153

SPONSOR: SKOUFIS
 
TITLE OF BILL:

An act to amend the mental hygiene law, in relation to establishing a
comprehensive training program for care managers employed by care coor-
dination organizations

 
PURPOSE:

To establish a comprehensive training program for care managers employed
by care coordination organizations

 
SUMMARY OF PROVISIONS:

Section 1: Identifies and cites this act as "Ella's Law."

Section 2: Amends section 13.23 of the mental health hygiene by adding
subdivision d, which establishes that the office will establish a
comprehensive training program for care managers working with care coor-
dination organizations, in collaboration with advocacy groups.  This

training must be completed before managers begin working with clients
and will cover essential topics, including person-centered planning,
effective communication strategies that promote inclusion, and under-
standing and upholding the rights of individuals with developmental
disabilities, including voting rights. It will also emphasize cultural
competence, advocacy skills, and compliance with relevant laws and regu-
lations. Additionally, the program will provide knowledge of the health-
care system, available services, Medicaid benefits, and how to navigate
these resources effectively. Care managers will also be trained in
connecting individuals with community resources, financial assistance,
and support services while fostering collaboration among healthcare
providers, social services, and other stakeholders to ensure comprehen-
sive care.

Section 3: Sets Effective Date.

 
JUSTIFICATION:

Health Home Care Management services, facilitated by Care Coordination
Organizations (CCOs), oversee behavioral health and developmental disa-
bility services for New Yorkers who-qualify for Office People with
Developmental Disabilities (OPWDD) services. Within this framework, CCOs
employ care managers who work directly with individuals with disabili-
ties to navigate and access essential services for them.

To excel in their role, Care Managers must possess a significant compre-
hension of the multifaceted systems, services, and programs offered
through state and federal agencies for individuals with disabilities.
Additionally, care managers must have interpersonal skills tailored to
engage individuals with severe disabilities and their family members
effectively.

Comprehensive training created by OPWDD in coordination with CCOs and
advocacy groups representing individuals with disabilities will ensure
care managers are adequately prepared to succeed in their jobs. By
standardizing training protocols, this bill will ensure that Care Manag-

ers are equipped with the knowledge and skills for proficient client
assistance, ensuring optimal care delivery and support.

 
LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:

Senate

2023: N/A

2024: S9155, Referred to Disabilities

Assembly

2023: N/A

2024: A10258, Referred to People with Disabilities

 
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS:

None to the state.

 
EFFECTIVE DATE:
This act shall take effect on the one hundred eightieth day after it
shall have become a law. Effective immediately, the addition, amendment
and/or repeal of any rule or regulation necessary for the implementation
of this act on its effective date are authorized to be made and
completed on or before such effective date.

2025-S6153 - Bill Text download pdf

                             
                     S T A T E   O F   N E W   Y O R K
 ________________________________________________________________________
 
                                   6153
 
                        2025-2026 Regular Sessions
 
                             I N  S E N A T E
 
                               March 5, 2025
                                ___________
 
 Introduced  by  Sen. SKOUFIS -- read twice and ordered printed, and when
   printed to be committed to the Committee on Disabilities
 
 AN ACT to amend the mental hygiene law, in relation  to  establishing  a
   comprehensive  training  program  for  care  managers employed by care
   coordination organizations

   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
 "Ella's law".
   § 2. Section 13.23 of the mental hygiene law is amended  by  adding  a
 new subdivision (d) to read as follows:
   (D)  THE  OFFICE  SHALL ESTABLISH A COMPREHENSIVE TRAINING PROGRAM, IN
 CONJUNCTION WITH CARE COORDINATION ORGANIZATIONS AND ORGANIZATIONS  THAT
 ADVOCATE  ON  BEHALF OF INDIVIDUALS WITH DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES, FOR
 CARE MANAGERS EMPLOYED BY CARE  COORDINATION  ORGANIZATIONS  WHICH  SUCH
 CARE  MANAGERS SHALL COMPLETE BEFORE WORKING WITH CLIENTS. SUCH TRAINING
 PROGRAM SHALL INCLUDE, BUT NOT BE LIMITED TO:
   1. PERSON-CENTERED PLANNING PRINCIPLES.
   2. EFFECTIVE COMMUNICATION STRATEGIES FOR  INDIVIDUALS  WITH  DEVELOP-
 MENTAL  DISABILITIES,  INCLUDING  BUT NOT LIMITED TO HOW TO BEST INCLUDE
 AND COLLABORATE WITH PEOPLE WITH DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES, THEIR FAMI-
 LIES, AND SUPPORT NETWORKS IN ALL COMMUNICATIONS,  MEETINGS,  AND  DECI-
 SION-MAKING  TO  DESIGN AND IMPLEMENT PLANS THAT ENHANCE QUALITY OF LIFE
 AND PROMOTE INDEPENDENCE.
   3. UNDERSTANDING, RESPECTING, AND SUPPORTING THE RIGHTS OF INDIVIDUALS
 WITH DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES INCLUDING  BUT  NOT  LIMITED  TO  VOTING
 RIGHTS.
   4. CULTURAL COMPETENCE AND SENSITIVITY.
   5. ADVOCACY SKILLS FOR INDIVIDUALS WITH DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES.
   6.  COMPLIANCE  WITH  RELEVANT  LAWS AND REGULATIONS PERTAINING TO THE
 CARE OF INDIVIDUALS WITH DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES.
 
  EXPLANATION--Matter in ITALICS (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
                       [ ] is old law to be omitted.
                                                            LBD02939-01-5

 S. 6153                             2
 
   7. KNOWLEDGE OF  THE  HEALTH  CARE  SYSTEM,  AVAILABLE  SERVICES,  AND
 RESOURCES,  AS WELL AS AN UNDERSTANDING OF HOW TO NAVIGATE THE SYSTEM ON
 BEHALF OF THE INDIVIDUALS THEY SERVE.   THIS SHALL INCLUDE  BUT  NOT  BE
 LIMITED  TO  KNOWLEDGE OF SELF-DIRECTION SYSTEMS, CROSS-SYSTEM SERVICES,
 BLENDED SERVICES, AND THE PRACTICES, PROGRAMS, AND SERVICES AVAILABLE TO
 INDIVIDUALS  WITH DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES THROUGH THE OFFICE, DEPART-
 MENT OF HEALTH, AND OTHER NEW YORK  STATE  AND  FEDERAL  AGENCIES.  THIS
 SHALL  ALSO  INCLUDE  KNOWLEDGE OF MEDICAID BENEFITS OFFERED THROUGH THE
 OFFICE'S WAIVER PROGRAMS AND THEIR INTERACTION WITH OTHER MEDICAID BENE-
 FITS.
   8. IDENTIFYING AND CONNECTING INDIVIDUALS WITH  APPROPRIATE  COMMUNITY
 RESOURCES, FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS, AND SUPPORT SERVICES.
   9.  SKILLS  IN FOSTERING COLLABORATION AND COMMUNICATION AMONG MEMBERS
 OF AN INDIVIDUAL'S CARE TEAM, INCLUDING HEALTH  CARE  PROVIDERS,  SOCIAL
 SERVICES, AND OTHER STAKEHOLDERS.
   § 3. This act shall take effect on the one hundred eightieth day after
 it  shall have become a law. Effective immediately, the addition, amend-
 ment and/or repeal of any rule or regulation necessary for the implemen-
 tation of this act on its effective date are authorized to be  made  and
 completed on or before such effective date.

2025-S6153A (ACTIVE) - Details

See Assembly Version of this Bill:: A8288
Current Committee:: Senate Disabilities
Law Section:: Mental Hygiene Law
Laws Affected:: Amd §13.23, Ment Hyg L
Versions Introduced in 2023-2024 Legislative Session:: S9155, A10258

2025-S6153A (ACTIVE) - Summary

2025-S6153A (ACTIVE) - Sponsor Memo

                                 
BILL NUMBER: S6153A

SPONSOR: SKOUFIS
 
PURPOSE:

The purpose of this bill is to ensure that all care managers serving
individuals through care coordination organizations have completed all
required training before being assigned to provide care management
services.

 
SUMMARY OF PROVISIONS:

Section 1: Identifies and cites this act as "Ella's Law."

Section 2: Amends section 13.23 of the mental health hygiene by adding
subdivision d, which prohibits any care manager employed by or under
contract with a care coordination organization from providing care
management services unless the care manager has completed all training
requirements applicable to their position, consistent with standards
established by the Office for People with Developmental Disabilities
(OPWDD) and the New York State Department of Health (DOH); Requires each
care coordination organization to certify, in a form and manner
prescribed by OPWDD, that each care manager has completed all required

training before being assigned to any individual; Requires care coordi-
nation organizations to maintain documentation demonstrating compliance,
including records of training completion, and to make such records
available to OPWDD upon request; and Authorize OPWDD, in consultation
with DOH, to promulgate rules and regulations necessary to implement
these provisions, including standards for certification, documentation,
and compliance.

Section 3: Sets Effective Date.

 
JUSTIFICATION:

Health Home Care Management services, facilitated by Care Coordination
Organizations (CCOs), oversee behavioral health and developmental disa-
bility services for New Yorkers who qualify for Office People with
Developmental Disabilities (OPWDD) services. Within this framework, CCOs
employ care managers who work directly with individuals with disabili-
ties to navigate and access essential services for them.

To excel in their role, Care Managers must possess a significant compre-
hension of the multifaceted systems, services, and programs offered
through state and federal agencies for individuals with disabilities.
Additionally, care managers must have interpersonal skills tailored to
engage individuals with severe disabilities and their family members
effectively.

Comprehensive training created by OPWDD in coordination with CCOs and
advocacy groups representing individuals with disabilities will ensure
care managers are adequately prepared to succeed in their jobs. By
standardizing training protocols, this bill will ensure that Care Manag-
ers are equipped with the knowledge and skills for proficient client
assistance, ensuring optimal care delivery and support.

 
LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:

Senate
2024: S9155, Referred to Disabilities

2025: S6153, Referred to Disabilities

Assembly

2024: A10258, Referred to People with Disabilities 2025: A8288A,
Referred to People with Disabilities

 
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS:

None to the state.

 
EFFECTIVE DATE:
This act shall take effect on the one hundred eightieth day after it
shall have become a law. Effective immediately, the addition, amendment
and/or repeal of any rule or regulation necessary for the implementation
of this act on its effective date are authorized to be made and
completed on or before such effective date.

2025-S6153A (ACTIVE) - Bill Text download pdf

                             
                     S T A T E   O F   N E W   Y O R K
 ________________________________________________________________________
 
                                  6153--A
 
                        2025-2026 Regular Sessions
 
                             I N  S E N A T E
 
                               March 5, 2025
                                ___________
 
 Introduced  by  Sen. SKOUFIS -- read twice and ordered printed, and when
   printed to be committed to the Committee on Disabilities --  recommit-
   ted to the Committee on Disabilities 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
   certification and attestation for care managers employed by care coor-
   dination organizations
 
   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
 "Ella's law".
   §  2.  Section  13.23 of the mental hygiene law is amended by adding a
 new subdivision (d) to read as follows:
   (D) 1. NO CARE MANAGER EMPLOYED BY OR UNDER CONTRACT WITH A CARE COOR-
 DINATION ORGANIZATION SHALL PROVIDE CARE MANAGEMENT SERVICES TO AN INDI-
 VIDUAL UNLESS SUCH CARE MANAGER HAS COMPLETED ALL TRAINING  REQUIREMENTS
 APPLICABLE  TO  THEIR POSITION, CONSISTENT WITH STANDARDS ESTABLISHED BY
 THE OFFICE AND THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH.
   2.  EACH CARE COORDINATION ORGANIZATION SHALL CERTIFY, IN A  FORM  AND
 MANNER  PRESCRIBED  BY  THE OFFICE, THAT EACH CARE MANAGER HAS COMPLETED
 ALL REQUIRED TRAINING PRIOR TO ASSIGNMENT TO ANY INDIVIDUAL.
   3.  EACH CARE COORDINATION ORGANIZATION SHALL  MAINTAIN  DOCUMENTATION
 SUFFICIENT  TO  DEMONSTRATE  COMPLIANCE WITH THIS SUBDIVISION, INCLUDING
 BUT NOT LIMITED TO RECORDS OF TRAINING COMPLETION FOR EACH CARE MANAGER,
 AND SHALL MAKE SUCH DOCUMENTATION AVAILABLE TO THE OFFICE UPON REQUEST.
   4.  THE OFFICE, IN CONSULTATION WITH THE  DEPARTMENT  OF  HEALTH,  MAY
 PROMULGATE  RULES  AND REGULATIONS NECESSARY TO IMPLEMENT THE PROVISIONS
 OF THIS SUBDIVISION, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO STANDARDS FOR  CERTIF-
 ICATION, DOCUMENTATION, AND COMPLIANCE.
 
  EXPLANATION--Matter in ITALICS (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
                       [ ] is old law to be omitted.
                                                            LBD02939-03-6
 S. 6153--A                          2

 
   § 3. This act shall take effect on the one hundred eightieth day after
 it  shall have become a law. Effective immediately, the addition, amend-
 ment and/or repeal of any rule or regulation necessary for the implemen-
 tation of this act on its effective date are authorized to be  made  and
 completed on or before such effective date.

Comments

Open Legislation is a forum for New York State legislation. All comments are subject to review and community moderation is encouraged.

Comments deemed off-topic, commercial, campaign-related, self-promotional; or that contain profanity, hate or toxic speech; or that link to sites outside of the nysenate.gov domain are not permitted, and will not be published. Attempts to intimidate and silence contributors or deliberately deceive the public, including excessive or extraneous posting/posts, or coordinated activity, are prohibited and may result in the temporary or permanent banning of the user. Comment moderation is generally performed Monday through Friday. By contributing or voting you agree to the Terms of Participation and verify you are over 13.

Create an account. An account allows you to sign petitions with a single click, officially support or oppose key legislation, and follow issues, committees, and bills that matter to you. When you create an account, you agree to this platform's terms of participation.

Find your Senator and share your views on important issues.

Do you support this bill?

Senate Bill S6153A

Sponsored By

Current Bill Status - In Senate Committee Disabilities Committee

Actions

Bill Amendments

2025-S6153 - Details

2025-S6153 - Summary

2025-S6153 - Sponsor Memo

2025-S6153 - Bill Text download pdf

2025-S6153A (ACTIVE) - Details

2025-S6153A (ACTIVE) - Summary

2025-S6153A (ACTIVE) - Sponsor Memo

2025-S6153A (ACTIVE) - Bill Text download pdf

Comments

Do you support this bill?

Get Status Alerts for 2025-S6153A

Senate Bill S6153A

Share this bill

Sponsored By

James Skoufis

Current Bill Status - In Senate Committee Disabilities Committee

Actions

Bill Amendments

2025-S6153 - Details

2025-S6153 - Summary

2025-S6153 - Sponsor Memo

2025-S6153 - Bill Text download pdf

2025-S6153A (ACTIVE) - Details

2025-S6153A (ACTIVE) - Summary

2025-S6153A (ACTIVE) - Sponsor Memo

2025-S6153A (ACTIVE) - Bill Text download pdf

Comments