Provides that the names of the members of the governing board and certain summary information concerning executive compensation be listed on websites

2 Co-sponsors

• Harvey Weisenberg
• Mark J.F. Schroeder

BILL NUMBER:A4803B

Title of bill

An act to amend the mental hygiene law, in relation to providing information pertaining to names of the members of the govern- ing board and summary information concerning executive compensation reported by all service providers funded by the respective offices be listed on certain websites

Purpose

This legislation would direct the Office of Mental Health (OMH), Office of Mental Retardation and Developmental Disabilities (OMRDD) and the Office of Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Services (OASAS) to make public through their websites and update on an. annual basis the names of the members of the governing board and summary infor- mation concerning executive compensation that is currently reported by all service providers funded by the respective offices in a manner that is easily accessible and informative.

Summary of provisions

Sections one of the bill.amends section 5.05 by adding a new subdivision (e-1) of the mental hygiene law to provide that the Commissioners of OMB, OMRDD and OASAS shall make public through their websites information concerning governing board membership and executive compensation in a manner that is easily accessible and inform- ative and update such information on an annual basis.

Section two of the bill provides for an immediate effective date provided that information reported during the period April 1, 2010 through-March 31, 2011 shall be posted no later than December 31, 2011.

Justification

This bill would require OMH, OMRDD and OASAS to make public information they already collect annually from providers that receive state funds to care for and treat individuals on the state's behalf. This information would include a listing of the members of the agencies' governing board and summary information concerning executive compensation.

These agencies are operated almost exclusively with public funds. While organizations such as the Red Cross and United Way make a practice of making information such as this publicly available, there is no compara- ble information available to the public for agencies that operate on public funds. Providing this information publicly does not only repre- sent good open government, it also provides an important tool for governing boards who hold the fiduciary responsibility of approving executive compensation. These boards should be following best practices and completing an analysis of comparable executive compensation packages when making such decision for the agencies which they help direct. This bill will insure that boards and members of the public who support these agencies through their tax contributions have this information readily available.

Legislative history

2007-2008: A. 11430 - passed Assembly

Fiscal implications

None to State.

Effective date

Immediately provided that information reported during the period April 1, 2010 through March 31, 2011 shall be posted no later than December 31, 2011.