Directs the out-of-state placement committee to develop a residential bed plan and authorizes the dormitory authority to finance new facilities

1 Co-sponsor

• William J. Larkin Jr.

BILL NUMBER:S1996

Title of bill

An act to amend the social services law and the public authorities law, in relation to directing the out-of-state placement committee to develop a residential bed plan and in relation to authorizing the dormitory authority to finance new facilities

Purpose or general idea of the bill

To provide low cost financing for the development or rehabilitation of in-state residential schools and facilities to serve the current and future needs of New York State's children with complex needs.

Summary of provisions

1) Adds a new section to section 483-d of the Social Services law (Council on Children and Families), requiring the out-of-state placement committee members to develop a residential bed plan for the renovation of existing or the development of new residential schools and facilities. This plan will include recommendations to address current and future programmatic and physical plant needs.

2) Amends paragraph b of subdivision 2 and adds a new subdivision 46 to section 1676 of the Public Authorities law; Amends Subdivision 1 and adds a new subdivision 41 to section 1680 of the Public Authorities law allowing the Dormitory Authority to issue bonds of up to 30 million dollars in order to fulfill the goals of this legislation.

Justification

A 2005 Council on Children and Families' Interagency Out-of-State Residential Placement Work Group report found that New York State is spending $200 million annually to out-of-state residential schools and facilities that house and educate our special needs children and foster children. This is because the State lacks the in-state capacity to serve this population and that the in-state facilities that do exist are in need of extensive renovation and repair. The work group found that for every 100 children who could be served in-state rather than being placed out-of-state, the State would save $7.8 million.

Due to language technicalities in A.3300-A/S.1288-A, the 2007 veto message stated, "I share the goals of this bill and therefore have instructed my staff to work with the sponsors of this bill and the affected agencies in an effort to fashion legislation that accomplishes this bill's laudable goals." This new bill has been drafted by and in coordination with the affected agencies.

Fiscal implications

It is unlikely that there will be any State fiscal implications resulting from this measure, as the cost of debt service will be reimbursed from facility rates, and will be fully offset by the savings achieved by bringing children back from out-of-state placements.

Legislative history

2006: A.10338-A/S.6875-A Passed Assembly 2007: A.3300-A/S.1288-A Veto Message 127 2008: A.11001-A/S.8196-A Passed Senate. Veto Message 81 2009: S.2012 Referred to Children & Families 2010: S.2012 Referred to Children & Families

Effective date

Immediately.