§ 19.40 Provision of chemical dependence services.

(a) Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the office shall have
the authority to issue a single operating certificate for the provision
of chemical dependence services to providers of alcoholism and/or
substance abuse services previously certified or licensed pursuant to
articles twenty-three and/or thirty-one of this chapter and who are
deemed by the commissioner to meet applicable requirements of article
thirty-two of this chapter and operating regulations promulgated
thereunder. The commissioner shall have the authority to waive any
requirements deemed to be duplicative or unnecessary to implement the
provisions of this subdivision.

(b) Certificates of approval and operating certificates previously
issued under article twenty-three and/or thirty-one of this chapter
shall remain in full force and effect until they are converted to
operating certificates for the provision of chemical dependence services
pursuant to this chapter. Conversion shall occur upon promulgation of
applicable chemical dependence operating regulations by the
commissioner, taking into consideration time which is reasonably needed
by providers of services to come into compliance with such applicable
regulations.

(c) All providers of chemical dependence services issued operating
certificates pursuant to this section shall be subject to all provisions
of this chapter applicable to providers of alcoholism services and to
all provisions of this chapter applicable to providers of substance
abuse services.

(d) Providers of chemical dependence services not previously certified
or licensed pursuant to articles twenty-three and/or thirty-one of this
chapter shall be certified for the provision of such services pursuant
to article thirty-two of this chapter.