* § 19.45 The council for treatment equity.

1. Definitions. As used in this section:

(a) "Council" shall mean the council for treatment equity, within the
office of addiction services and supports, created pursuant to this
section which shall consist of a director and any additional full or
part-time staff the commissioner deems necessary to effectuate the
provisions of this section.

(b) "Vulnerable populations" shall mean those who have experienced
injustices and disadvantages as a result of their race, ethnicity,
sexual orientation, gender identity, disability status, age,
socioeconomic status and/or any other status which has caused a person
to experience injustices and disadvantages.

(c) "Racially and ethnically diverse areas" shall mean counties where
the non-white population is forty percent or more or the service area of
an agency, corporation, facility or individual providing substance use
disorder services where the non-white population of said area is forty
percent or more.

(d) "Provider of services" shall mean any agency, corporation,
facility or individual providing substance use disorder services to
vulnerable populations.

(e) "Treatment disparities" shall mean measurable differences in
access to and quality of substance use disorder services as determined
by race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability
status, age and socioeconomic status.

(f) "Treatment equity" shall mean achieving the highest level of
substance use disorder services for all people and shall entail focused
efforts to address avoidable inequalities by equalizing those conditions
for substance use disorder services for those that have experienced
injustices and socioeconomic disadvantages.

2. The council for treatment equity. There is hereby created, within
the office of addiction services and supports, a council for treatment
equity. The council, in conjunction with the behavioral health services
advisory council, shall have the following powers and duties:

(a) Work collaboratively with relevant state agencies, local
governmental units as defined in article forty-one of this chapter and
other affected stakeholders, including, but not limited to, providers to
and representatives of vulnerable populations, in order to set
priorities to achieve treatment equity in both racial and ethnically
diverse areas and for vulnerable populations throughout the state;

(b) Analyze collected data to determine the causes of treatment
disparities in both racially and ethnically diverse areas and for
vulnerable populations throughout the state, including any economic,
physical, social or cultural barriers;

(c) Develop and implement strategies aimed at achieving treatment
equity in racially and ethnically diverse areas and among vulnerable
populations;

(d) Promote community involvement by conducting promotional and
educational outreach programs regarding substance use disorders and
available services; and

(e) Review the impact of current laws, rules, regulations, policies
and programs that may be affecting the ability to achieve treatment
equity.

3. Report. The council shall submit a written report to the governor,
the temporary president of the senate and the speaker of the assembly no
later than one year succeeding the effective date of this section and
annually thereafter, setting forth the findings, recommendations and
activities of the council on matters within the scope of its powers and
duties as set forth in this section.

* NB There are 2 § 19.45's