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History
- Recommit, enacting clause stricken
- Notice of committee consideration - requested
- Print number 6361b
- Amend and recommit to judiciary
- Print number 6361a
- Amend and recommit to judiciary
- Referred to judiciary
- Referred to rules
Companion bill
The same bill in the other chamber. A bill becomes law when one version passes both houses and the governor signs it, so either number can carry it.
Denise's law; Youth drug and alcohol detoxification
In Assembly Committee · Judiciary · Sponsor Ginny Fields
Full text
The text isn't available here yet. Check nysenate.gov.
Sponsor's memo
Title of bill
An act to amend the family court act, in relation to youth drug and alcohol detoxification; and to amend the insurance law, in relation to providing benefits for treatment of chemical dependency in certain health insurance plans
Purpose
To create Denise's law, which would allow approved applicants to petition the court to have youths enrolled into an a drug addiction program. The bill further requires health insurance plans to cover the cost of such programs.
Summary of provisions
Creates Denise's Law. Adds a new article 10-B to the family court act to allow for approved applicants to petition the court to allow a youth to be placed into a drug abuse and drug detoxification program. Requires a judge if satisfied on reasonable grounds to issue a warrant and cause the youth to be taken to a credentialed alcoholism and drug abuse counselor where the youth may be detained and examined, this section allows the petitioner to be named as executor of the warrant. States that every assessed youth shall be informed of their reason for apprehension, and shall be entitled to receive a copy of the order. A credentialed alcoholism and substance abuse counselor will be responsible for examining the youth as soon as reasonably practible and within 24 hours of the youth's apprehension. After such examination a credentialed alcoholism and drug abuse counselor may issue a detoxification order to detain the youth in a detoxification facility. Such order shall be made only if the credentialed. alcoholism and substance abuse counselor feels the youth is suffering from drug addiction or drug abuse and requires detention, is likely to cause harm to themselves or others, or is suffering substantial mental or physical deterioration. Also the youth would need to be unable to fully understand and be unable to make informed decisions respecting their need to detoxify and stabilize, or are unwilling to take steps to begin recovery from drug abuse or addiction. An assessed youth or a person on their behalf may appeal the decision. Provisions of this bill also requires health insurers to cover the costs of such treatments.
Justification
On July 16, 2008 Denise M. Gerardi passed away of an accidental drug overdose. Denise's loss of life is tragic and shows the grave issues that have arisen with a growing drug addiction problem on Long Island and throughout New York. Sachem High School East has formed a committee to look into ways to prevent the tragic loss of life so that other families can help prevent future tragedies from occurring. Drug addiction amongst youths is a grave concern to all. All parents feel helpless and often do not know what to do with facing this situation. Under current law a youth can fight and refuse any attempts at help. This legislation allows parents to take control of the situation and get the help for the children that is sorely needed. This legislation allows a parent to petition the court to have their child assessed by a credentialed alcoholism and substance abuse counselor to determine whether or not detoxification would assist in helping the youth fight their drug addiction.
Legislative history
New Bill.
Fiscal impact on the state
To be determined.
Effective date
This act shall take January 1st next succeeding the date it becomes a law.
Summaries, headlines and scores are AI-generated from the official bill text. How we score bills. Source: NYS Open Legislation.