Establishes an addiction recovery supportive transportation services demonstration program to provide such transportation services to individuals while such individual is receiving treatment, including, but not limited to, inpatient, residential or outpatient treatment.
NEW YORK STATE ASSEMBLY MEMORANDUM IN SUPPORT OF LEGISLATION submitted in accordance with Assembly Rule III, Sec 1(f)
BILL NUMBER: A6945A
SPONSOR: Steck TITLE OF BILL:
An act to amend the mental hygiene law, in relation to establishing an
addiction recovery supportive transportation services demonstration
program
PURPOSE:
Establishes an addiction recovery supportive transportation services
demonstration program
SUMMARY OF PROVISIONS:
Section 1 amends the mental hygiene law by adding section 19.18-a, which
creates the Addiction recovery supportive transportation services demon-
stration program. Such program shall provide recovery supportive trans-
portation services to individuals during treatment, including but not
limited to, inpatient, residential and outpatient treatment, and after
the completion of treatment.
The commissioner is given discretion as to the location of such program
provided that there shall be at least one urban and one rural
destruction program. No later than January first, two thousand twenty-
two, the commissioner shall provide a written evaluation including, at
minimum, addressing the overall effectiveness of such program, identify-
ing best practices for recovery supportive transportation services
provided under such demonstration program, and suggest any additional
support services that may be appropriate within each type of program
operated, regulated, funded, or approved by the office and address
whether continuation or expansion of such program is recommended.
Section 2 states the effective date
JUSTIFICATION:
Rides for Recovery is an initiative designed to support individuals
suffering from substance use disorder access the care they need by help-
ing to remove the barrier of transportation. Social Determinants of
Health trips are those trips that are necessary for continued recovery
from Substance Use Disorder but are typically not covered by Medicaid.
These include services such as:
* Regular employment transportation;
* Education transportation, such as trade school, 2- or 4-year degree
programs, or apprenticeships;
* Shopping for healthy food, clothing, and other essential items;
* Trips to Narcotics Anonymous/Alcoholics Anonymous;
* Trips to court or drug court, or court-related appointments (probation
officer, social worker, etc.)
* Trips that reduce social isolation, such as social outings with others
engaged in sober living.
These kinds of trips help to focus a person on improving their situ-
ation, provide hope and a sense of purpose, and help to combat underly-
ing mental illness conditions that can be exacerbated by social
isolation or unemployment. The primary trip purpose for this transporta-
tion program would be employment-based transportation, including trans-
portation to educational institutions for better long-term employment
prospects.
Giving people the support they need to get back on their feet by provid-
ing transportation will pay back dividends in increased productivity and
earning potential.
LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:
This is a new bill.
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS:
None to the State.
EFFECTIVE DATE:
This act shall take effect April 1, 2021.
