McDonald, Schiavoni, McMahon, Sayegh, Hevesi, Taylor
MLTSPNSR
Add §13.44, Ment Hyg L
Establishes a pilot program in partnership with a nonprofit organization to improve equity and efficiency in housing for people with developmental disabilities by encouraging shared housing.
NEW YORK STATE ASSEMBLY MEMORANDUM IN SUPPORT OF LEGISLATION submitted in accordance with Assembly Rule III, Sec 1(f)
BILL NUMBER: A8020
SPONSOR: Santabarbara TITLE OF BILL:
An act to amend the mental hygiene law, in relation to creating a pilot
program to improve equity and efficiency in housing for people with
developmental disabilities
PURPOSE OR GENERAL IDEA OF BILL:
The purpose of the bill is to authorize the Office for People with
Developmental Disabilities (OPWDD) to approve and oversee a pilot resi-
dential program in partnership with a non-profit organization that has
experience providing employment training and support for individuals
with autism spectrum disorder. The pilot will explore alternative hous-
ing models for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabili-
ties (I/DD), allowing limited regulatory flexibility under direct state
supervision.
SUMMARY OF PROVISIONS:
This bill authorizes OPWDD to designate the partner nonprofit organiza-
tion as a pilot provider of residential housing for up to four individ-
uals with I/DD per unit, supported by dedicated staff. OPWDD will moni-
tor and evaluate the effectiveness of this model, including the impact
on resident well-being, cost-effectiveness, housing compatibility, and
administrative efficiency.
Key provisions include:
*Temporary waivers of select OPWDD housing requirements as necessary to
operate the pilot.
*Direct state oversight throughout the duration of the program.
*A requirement for periodic reporting and evaluation by OPWDD with
stakeholder input.
*Authorization for OPWDD to recommend broader regulatory changes based
on the pilot's outcomes.
JUSTIFICATION:
New York's current residential system for individuals with intellectual
and developmental disabilities (I/DD) is often limited by outdated regu-
lations that restrict innovation and reduce flexibility in housing
models. The proposed pilot program with the nonprofit organization will
offers a unique opportunity to evaluate a more person-centered, communi-
ty-integrated approach that prioritizes stability, independence, and
choice.
The nonprofit partner organization's residential model houses up to four
individuals per unit with a dedicated staff member, creating a support-
ive and stable living environment tailored to the needs of each resi-
dent. This smaller-scale approach encourages the development of inde-
pendent living skills, meaningful peer relationships, and improved
behavioral and emotional outcomes - outcomes that are more achievable
when individuals are thoughtfully grouped based on compatibility and
shared goals.
Current funding models present a significant barrier: as the number of
residents per unit increases, the funds allocated to each individual are
significantly reduced - often by half or a third. This disincentivizes
shared housing options, even when they could provide greater efficiency,
safety, and community support. The pilot would enable the state to test
a more equitable funding structure that aligns with best practices in
inclusive housing.
By authorizing this pilot under direct OPWDD oversight, the state can:
*Evaluate cost-effectiveness and long-term sustainability of smaller,
Community -based residential settings;
*Improve quality of life and long-term outcomes for individuals with
I/DD;
*Gather critical data to inform future system-wide reforms;
*Promote more efficient use of state resources while protecting individ-
ual dignity and choice.
The success of this pilot could provide a blueprint for future residen-
tial care models that better reflect the needs and aspirations of indi-
viduals with I/DD across New York State.
PRIOR LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:
N/A
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS FOR STATE AND LOCAL GOVERNMENTS:
The pilot will operate with existing resources and oversight from OPWDD,
with no additional state appropriation required at this time.
EFFECTIVE DATE:
This act shall take effect immediately.
STATE OF NEW YORK
________________________________________________________________________
8020
2025-2026 Regular Sessions
IN ASSEMBLY
April 22, 2025
___________
Introduced by M. of A. SANTABARBARA -- read once and referred to the
Committee on People with Disabilities
AN ACT to amend the mental hygiene law, in relation to creating a pilot
program to improve equity and efficiency in housing for people with
developmental disabilities
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assem-bly, do enact as follows:
1 Section 1. The mental hygiene law is amended by adding a new section
2 13.44 to read as follows:
3 § 13.44 Shared housing pilot program.
4 1. The office for people with developmental disabilities shall estab-
5 lish a pilot program in partnership with a nonprofit organization that
6 has experience providing employment training and support for individuals
7 with autism spectrum disorder. Such pilot program shall explore alterna-
8 tive housing models for individuals with intellectual and developmental
9 disabilities. Specifically, such pilot shall work with the partner
10 nonprofit organization to provide shared residential housing for up to
11 four individuals per unit, supported by dedicated staff.
12 2. Under the pilot program, the funding allotted per individual shall
13 not be decreased by a substantial amount due to the shared residential
14 unit. The pilot program shall serve to balance equitable funding with
15 incentivizing shared spaces in order to promote community for residents
16 and to increase efficiency by reducing the total number of units funded.
17 3. For the purposes of the pilot program established by this section,
18 the office may waive or alter certain housing requirements, as neces-
19 sary, to achieve the goals of the pilot program, including but not
20 limited to funding allotments based on residents per unit pursuant to
21 subdivision two of this section.
22 4. While the partner nonprofit organization may conduct day-to-day
23 operations of residential units, the office shall oversee and monitor
24 residential units established through the pilot program in order to
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[] is old law to be omitted.
LBD11656-01-5
A. 8020 2
1 ensure the welfare of its residents and to evaluate the effectiveness of
2 this model, including the impact on resident well-being, cost-effective-
3 ness, and administrative efficiency.
4 5. The office shall report its findings to the governor, the temporary
5 president of the senate and the speaker of the assembly three years
6 after the establishment of the pilot program. The office may recommend
7 regulatory changes based on the outcomes of the pilot program.
8 § 2. This act shall take effect immediately.
