Limits the proximity of community residential facilities for the disabled

Title of bill

An act to amend the mental hygiene law, in relation to limiting the site selection for community residences for the disabled

Summary

This bill amends section 41.34 of the mental hygiene law, as amended by chapter 1024 of the laws of 1981 so that if a sponsoring agency intends to establish a residential facility for the disabled within a municipality and does not have a specific site for this facility, they may notify the chief executive officer of the municipality in writing. The sponsoring agency must provide the nature, size and community support requirements of the program.

However, as an additional provision, this bill holds that no new residential facility shall be sited or established within a one mile radius of an existing facility.

Justification

We are approaching a situation in which oversaturation by residential facilities for the disabled in certain areas is becoming an issue. In the past, the coordination of the development and construction of these residential facilities has been done irresponsibly and inefficiently. It is the hope that by restricting the proximity within which an organization can establish a residential facility for the disabled, we will avoid the dilemma which oversaturation has often created.

Fiscal implication

To be determined.

Effective date

This act shall take effect immediately and shall apply to site selections made on and after the effective date of this act.