Establishes a comprehensive training program for care managers employed by care coordination organizations; mandates care managers complete the training before working with clients.
NEW YORK STATE ASSEMBLY MEMORANDUM IN SUPPORT OF LEGISLATION submitted in accordance with Assembly Rule III, Sec 1(f)
BILL NUMBER: A8288
SPONSOR: Seawright 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 OR GENERAL IDEA OF BILL:
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.
DIFFERENCE BETWEEN ORIGINAL AND AMENDED VERSION (IF APPLICABLE):
Click here to enter text.
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 disa-
bilities 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.
PRIOR LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:
Senate
2023: N/A
2024: S9155, Referred to Disabilities
Assembly
2023: N/A
2024: A10258, Referred to People with Disabilities
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS FOR STATE AND LOCAL GOVERNMENTS:
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.
STATE OF NEW YORK
________________________________________________________________________
8288
2025-2026 Regular Sessions
IN ASSEMBLY
May 9, 2025
___________
Introduced by M. of A. SEAWRIGHT -- read once and referred to the
Committee on People with 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:
1 Section 1. Short title. This act shall be known and may be cited as
2 "Ella's law".
3 § 2. Section 13.23 of the mental hygiene law is amended by adding a
4 new subdivision (d) to read as follows:
5 (d) The office shall establish a comprehensive training program, in
6 conjunction with care coordination organizations and organizations that
7 advocate on behalf of individuals with developmental disabilities, for
8 care managers employed by care coordination organizations which such
9 care managers shall complete before working with clients. Such training
10 program shall include, but not be limited to:
11 1. Person-centered planning principles.
12 2. Effective communication strategies for individuals with develop-
13 mental disabilities, including but not limited to how to best include
14 and collaborate with people with developmental disabilities, their fami-
15 lies, and support networks in all communications, meetings, and deci-
16 sion-making to design and implement plans that enhance quality of life
17 and promote independence.
18 3. Understanding, respecting, and supporting the rights of individuals
19 with developmental disabilities including but not limited to voting
20 rights.
21 4. Cultural competence and sensitivity.
22 5. Advocacy skills for individuals with developmental disabilities.
23 6. Compliance with relevant laws and regulations pertaining to the
24 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
A. 8288 2
1 7. Knowledge of the health care system, available services, and
2 resources, as well as an understanding of how to navigate the system on
3 behalf of the individuals they serve. This shall include but not be
4 limited to knowledge of self-direction systems, cross-system services,
5 blended services, and the practices, programs, and services available to
6 individuals with developmental disabilities through the office, depart-
7 ment of health, and other New York state and federal agencies. This
8 shall also include knowledge of Medicaid benefits offered through the
9 office's waiver programs and their interaction with other Medicaid bene-
10 fits.
11 8. Identifying and connecting individuals with appropriate community
12 resources, financial assistance programs, and support services.
13 9. Skills in fostering collaboration and communication among members
14 of an individual's care team, including health care providers, social
15 services, and other stakeholders.
16 § 3. This act shall take effect on the one hundred eightieth day after
17 it shall have become a law. Effective immediately, the addition, amend-
18 ment and/or repeal of any rule or regulation necessary for the implemen-
19 tation of this act on its effective date are authorized to be made and
20 completed on or before such effective date.
