Relates to creating autism teams in hospitals; requires the department of health to design a pilot program to develop one "autism team" who may be called upon should a patient with autism come to a hospital; provides that members of the autism team shall be knowledgeable about autism and communication difficulties many people with autism have and advise physicians and other staff on how to communicate with patients with autism.
NEW YORK STATE ASSEMBLY MEMORANDUM IN SUPPORT OF LEGISLATION submitted in accordance with Assembly Rule III, Sec 1(f)
BILL NUMBER: A1123
SPONSOR: Santabarbara TITLE OF BILL:
An act to amend the public health law, in relation to creating autism
teams in hospitals
PURPOSE OR GENERAL IDEA OF BILL:
This bill seeks to improve the medical diagnosis and treatment for indi-
viduals with Autism Spectrum and other related disorders (ASD) in hospi-
tals and health care facilities. It is aimed at cross-training existing
medical staff and health care providers in the specific needs of
patients with ASD and related disorders through the Department of
Health. The program will provide specialized training on ASD and subse-
quently establish a pilot program to develop on call "autism teams" in
hospitals and health care facilities.
SUMMARY OF SPECIFIC PROVISIONS:
Section 1-1: The Department of Health shall design and provide special-
ized training on ASD through medical continuing education programs for
primary care physicians, neurologists, psychiatrists, dentists, emergen-
cy room personnel and other medical specialists.
Section 1-2: The Department of Health shall design a pilot program to
ultimately develop an "autism team" that may be called upon should a
patient with ASD enter the emergency room of a hospital or health care
facility, need tests or x-rays, or need to be admitted. Members of the
"autism team" shall have completed the specialized training on ASD and
shall be knowledgeable about communication difficulties and advise
physicians and other staff on how to best communicate with those
patients.
Section 2: Effective Date.
JUSTIFICATION:
Autism is a spectrum disorder, meaning it can affect people in a variety
of ways, making each person's needs unique. Sometimes small things can
make a really big difference, whether it be speaking softly or changing
the lighting in the room. Implementing cross-trained "autism teams" from
existing medical staff will greatly increase diagnosis and treatment for
patients with ASD in hospitals and health care facilities.
The training provided to members of the "autism team" will be specif-
ically designed to identify the special needs of patients with ASD,
whether related to environment, feeding, communication or other various
criteria. Trained team members can assemble as needed when a patient
with ASD enters the health care facility or is admitted to a hospital.
The team members then assess and create an individualized document which
will be a part of the patient's electronic medical record, providing the
appropriate staff with the detailed information they need to help ensure
that the patient's needs are met to the greatest extent possible. A
summary of the information will also be posted at the patient's
location, bedside or in a place easily accessible when examining a
patient.
PRIOR LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:
2017-18: A7672 - Referred to higher education
2019-20: A3078 - Referred to higher education
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS:
None.
EFFECTIVE DATE:
This act shall take effect on the ninetieth day after it shall have
become law.
STATE OF NEW YORK
________________________________________________________________________
1123
2025-2026 Regular Sessions
IN ASSEMBLY
January 9, 2025
___________
Introduced by M. of A. SANTABARBARA -- read once and referred to the
Committee on Higher Education
AN ACT to amend the public health law, in relation to creating autism
teams in hospitals
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assem-bly, do enact as follows:
1 Section 1. The public health law is amended by adding a new section
2 2832 to read as follows:
3 § 2832. Autism teams. 1. Notwithstanding any law, rule or regulation
4 to the contrary, to expand current medical providers' knowledge about
5 autism, the department shall design and provide specialized training on
6 autism through medical continuing education programs for primary care
7 physicians, neurologists, psychiatrists, dentists, emergency room
8 personnel and other medical specialists.
9 2. Once the training on autism is implemented, the department shall
10 design a pilot program to ultimately develop one "autism team" who may
11 be called upon should a patient with autism enter the emergency room of
12 a hospital, need tests or x-rays, or need to be admitted. Members of the
13 autism team shall have completed the specialized training on autism and
14 shall be knowledgeable about autism and communication difficulties many
15 people with autism have and advise physicians and other staff on how to
16 communicate with patients with autism.
17 § 2. This act shall take effect on the ninetieth day after it shall
18 have become a law. Effective immediately, the addition, amendment and/or
19 repeal of any rule or regulation necessary for the implementation of
20 this act on its effective date are authorized to be made and completed
21 on or before such effective date.
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[] is old law to be omitted.
LBD03496-01-5
