Relates to protecting the communication rights of individuals with disabilities; provides that each person with a disability has the right to communicate in their preferred manner.
STATE OF NEW YORK
________________________________________________________________________
7792--B
2025-2026 Regular Sessions
IN SENATE
May 6, 2025
___________
Introduced by Sens. FAHY, SKOUFIS -- read twice and ordered printed, and
when printed to be committed to the Committee on Disabilities --
committee discharged, bill amended, ordered reprinted as amended and
recommitted to said committee -- committee discharged, bill amended,
ordered reprinted as amended and recommitted to said committee
AN ACT to amend the mental hygiene law, in relation to protecting the
communication rights of individuals with 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 13.45 to read as follows:
3 § 13.45 New York state communication bill of rights for individuals with
4 disabilities.
5 In order to ensure that each person with a disability is able to lead
6 a life of dignity, all persons with a disability shall have the right to
7 communicate in their preferred manner and utilize any communication
8 supports that meet their needs, and all staff and providers under this
9 section, shall ensure and acknowledge such rights.
10 § 2. This act shall take effect on the one hundred eightieth day after
11 it shall have become a law.
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[] is old law to be omitted.
LBD10990-13-5
