Relates to the membership and organization of the most integrated setting coordinating council and appointment of the chairperson

Title of bill

An act to amend the executive law, in relation to the membership of the most integrated setting coordinating council and appointment of the chairperson

Purpose of the bill

The purpose of this bill is to amend the Executive Law to add the Executive Director of the Developmental Disabilities Planning Council (DDPC) and the Commissioners of the Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance (OTDA) and the Department of Labor (DOL) to the membership of the Most Integrated Setting Coordinating Council (MISCC) and to authorize the appointment of the chairperson by the Governor.

Summary of provisions

Section 1 of the bill would amend subdivisions (1) and (2) of Executive Law § 702 to add the Executive Director of the DDPC and the Commissioners of OTDA and the DOL to the MISCC, update the reference to the Commission on Quality of Care and Advocacy for Persons with Disabilities and to authorize the Governor to appoint the chairperson of the MISCC.

Section 2 of the bill provides for an immediate effective date.

Existing law

Executive Law § 702 enumerates the membership of the MISCC and requires that the chairperson of the MISCC be rotated on a quarterly basis among the Commissioners of the Department of Health, the Office of Mental Retardation and Developmental Disabilities and the Director of the Office of the Aging.

Prior legislative history

A portion of this proposal was part of a bill in 2008 (A.11032/S.7706) that passed the Assembly and was referred to the Senate Rules Committee.

Statement in support

The MlSCC is a statutorily created body designed to bring together governmental agencies to work collaboratively to provide services to people with disabilities in the most integrated setting. This proposal seeks to expand the membership of the MISCC to include the Executive Director of the DDPC and the Commissioners of OTDA and DOL. These three agencies serve individuals with disabilities in the areas of planning, disability determinations and eligibility for federal and State benefits such as Supplemental Security Income and Medicaid, and providing for specialized demonstration projects, vocational/work training and employment opportunities. Their membership would provide for enhanced coordination of policies and resources by the MISCC -to the disabled community.

Additionally, this proposal seeks to ensure the continuity of leadership of the MISCC. It would change the process for determining the chairperson of the MlSCC, from a quarterly, rotating basis to an appointment that that would be made by and at the pleasure of the Governor. Consequently, it will provide for continuity of leadership of the MISCC so as to allow for uninterrupted planning and policy development in order to better serve individuals with disabilities.

Budget implications

This bill has no fiscal implications.

Effective date

This bill would take effect immediately upon enactment.