Requires sponsoring agencies intending to establish residential facilities for the disabled to notify the municipality when it has not selected a specific site

8 Co-sponsors

• Martin Malavé Dilan
• Ruth Hassell-Thompson
• Craig M. Johnson
• Jeffrey D. Klein
• Kevin S. Parker
• John L. Sampson
• William T. Stachowski
• Antoine M. Thompson

Title of bill

An act to amend the mental hygiene law, in relation to requiring sponsoring agencies intending to establish residential facilities for the disabled to notify the chief executive officer of the municipality in certain cases

Provisions

Amends the mental hygiene law, in relation to establishing residential facilities for the disabled within a municipality. If a sponsoring agency intends to establish such facilities it must notify the chief executive officer of the municipality in writing of its intentions. In addition it must include in the notice a description of the nature, size and community support requirements of the program. At that time the chief executive officer of such municipality shall review the notice and offer potential sites. To the extent possible, these sites should comply with the description of the nature, size and community support requirements of the program as detailed by the sponsoring agency. Provided, however, nothing in this subdivision shall prevent the proposed establishment of a site as long as it is in accordance with subdivision (C) of this section.

Justification

This legislation is an attempt at involving localities in the site selection process at the earliest possible point in order to minimize community opposition to establishment of residential facilities. The intent is not to prevent establishment of communities facilities, but to include the communities in the decision making process.

Legislative history

1993-08-Referred to Committee on Mental Health and Developmental Disabilities

Fiscal implications

Undetermined.

Effective date

This act shall take effect on the sixtieth day after it shall have become law.