STATE OF NEW YORK
________________________________________________________________________
522
2015-2016 Regular Sessions
IN ASSEMBLY(Prefiled)
January 7, 2015
___________
Introduced by M. of A. KOLB, BARCLAY, CORWIN, CROUCH, DUPREY, HAWLEY,
McDONOUGH, OAKS, RAIA, SALADINO, TITONE, MONTESANO -- Multi-Sponsored
by -- M. of A. BUTLER, GIGLIO, LOPEZ, TEDISCO, TENNEY, THIELE -- read
once and referred to the Committee on Health
AN ACT to amend the public health law, in relation to establishing a
state autism advisory board
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 2500-l to read as follows:
3 § 2500-l. State autism advisory board. 1. There is hereby established
4 within the department the state autism advisory board. Such board shall
5 conduct public hearings and hold meetings regarding the availability of
6 programs and services for persons with autism. The board shall make
7 recommendations for the creation of comprehensive and consistent crite-
8 ria and regulations to improve the quality of life for persons with
9 autism and to make the public and persons with autism and their families
10 more aware of available programs and services for persons with autism.
11 The areas of study that shall be addressed by the board shall include,
12 but not be limited to:
13 (a) early diagnosis;
14 (b) home and health services;
15 (c) education and developmental services;
16 (d) vocational placement; and
17 (e) improving research and training for professionals.
18 2. The board will consist of nineteen members, ten of whom shall be
19 appointed and nine of whom shall serve ex officio. Of the ten appointed
20 members, two shall be appointed by the governor, two shall be appointed
21 by the temporary president of the senate, two shall be appointed by the
22 speaker of the assembly, two shall be appointed by the minority leader
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[] is old law to be omitted.
LBD02647-01-5
A. 522 2
1 of the senate and two shall be appointed by the minority leader of the
2 assembly. Of the two members appointed by each appointing authority, one
3 member shall have expertise of work as a professional in the field of
4 autism and one member shall be a family advocate or self-advocate in the
5 community that such advocate resides. A representative from each of the
6 following state agencies shall serve ex officio: the office for people
7 with developmental disabilities; the department of education; the office
8 of mental health; the office of children and family services; the
9 department; the commission on quality of care and advocacy for persons
10 with disabilities; the developmental planning council; the council on
11 children and family services; and the office of vocational and educa-
12 tional services for individuals with disabilities. The chair of the
13 board shall be selected by the governor.
14 3. Members of the board shall serve at the pleasure of the appointing
15 authority. Vacancies on the board shall be filled in the same manner as
16 the original appointment. Members of the board shall receive no compen-
17 sation, but shall be reimbursed for actual and necessary expenses
18 incurred in the performance of their duties within amounts appropriated
19 therefor.
20 4. Such board shall meet at least quarterly. Special meetings may be
21 called by the chair. The agenda and meeting place of all regular or
22 special meetings shall be made available to the public in advance of
23 such meetings.
24 § 2. This act shall take effect immediately.
