Requires every firefighter, police officer, emergency medical technician and certified first responder to complete training on mental retardation

BILL NUMBER:A8229A

Title of bill

An act to amend the mental hygiene law, the executive law and the public health law, in relation to requiring police officers, firefighters, emergency medical technicians and certified first respon- ders to complete training in the appropriate recognition and response methods to persons with mental retardation and developmental disabili- ties

Purpose

The proposed legislation will require police officers, fire fighters, emergency medical technician and certified first responders to complete training in the appropriate recognition and response methods to persons with mental retardation and developmental disabilities.

Summary of specific provision

Amends subdivision of section (f) of 13.09 of the mental hygiene law by adding chapter 520 of the laws of 2008 and releterring subdivision (g) and a new subdivision (h) stating that the commissioner shall develop and implement a curriculum and course of study on the risks associated with mental retardation and developmental disabilities and the appropriate recognition and response methods relating to mental retardation and developmental disabilities.

Subdivision 6 of section 155 of the executive law, as amended by chapter 580 of the laws of 2007, is amended to state that such training shall require every firefighter, once every thirty months, to complete the course of study as established by the commissioner of mental retardation and developmental disabilities.

Section 837-a of the executive law is amended by adding a new subdivi- sion 10 that states that the course of study established by the commis- sioner of mental retardation and developmental disabilities will be maintained and implemented pursuant to subdivision (h) of section 13.09 of the mental hygiene law, which shall be completed once every thirty months by every police officer.

Section 3011 of the public health law is amended by adding a new subdi- vision 12 to state that the commissioner can require every certified responder, emergency medical technician and advanced emergency medical technician to complete a course of study, once every thirty months, as established by the commissioner of mental retardation and developmental disabilities pursuant to subdivision (h) of section 13.09 of the mental hygiene law.

Section 5 states the effective date.

Justification

Each year there are an increasing number of incidences of people diagnosed with mental disabilities. With the growing number of cases firefighters, first responders, police officers and emergency technicians need to be properly trained, ready and able to serve all people.

People with mental and developmental disabilities require different treatment than those who do not suffer from these conditions. Without training to identify these conditions and the skills necessary to handle them properly, there is a risk that the victim and the person providing the service can both be hurt. To increase the safety of both individuals in the situation training will reduce problems or inexperience. Giving the individuals who arrive in the early critical moments on an incident the tools to asses and handle all types of scenarios only improves the effectiveness of the actions taken to respond to whatever may be the case. The state already recognizes that certain people with specific conditions require particular care therefore, it is only logical that training be required of those who will be serving these people.

Prior legislation history

This is a new bill.

Fiscal implications

None.

Effective date

This act shall take effect immediately, except that sections 2, 3, and 4 of this act shall take effect June 1, 2011.