Requires every firefighter, police officer, emergency medical technician and certified first responder to complete training on developmental disabilities

BILL NUMBER:S3627A

Title of bill

An act to amend the mental hygiene law, the executive law and the public health law, in relation to requiring police officers, firefighters, emergency medical technicians and certified first responders to complete training in the appropriate recognition and response methods to persons with intellectual and developmental disabilities

Purpose

The proposed legislation will require police officers, fire fighters, emergency medical technician and certified first responders to complete training in the appropriate recognition and response methods to persons with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

Summary of specific provisions

Amends section 13.09 of the mental hygiene law by adding a new subdivision (h) stating that the commissioner shall develop and implement a curriculum and course of study on the risks associated with intellectual and developmental disabilities and the appropriate recognition and response methods relating to intellectual and developmental disabilities.

Subdivision 6 of section 156 of the executive law, as amended by chapter 580 of the laws of 2007, is amended to state that such training shall require every firefighter, once every thirty months, to complete the course of study as established by the commissioner of intellectual and developmental disabilities.

Section 837-a of the executive law is amended by adding a new subdivision 10 that states that the course of study established by the commissioner of intellectual and developmental disabilities will be maintained and implemented pursuant to subdivision (h) of section 13.09 of the mental hygiene law, which shall be completed once every thirty months by every police officer.

Section 3011 of the public health law is amended by adding a new subdivision 12 to state that the commissioner can require every certified responder, emergency medical technician and advanced emergency medical technician to complete a course of study, once every thirty months, as established by the commissioner of intellectual and developmental disabilities pursuant to subdivision (h) of section 13.09 of the mental hygiene law.

Section 5 states the effective date.

Justification

Each year there are an increasing number of incidences of people diagnosed with mental health, intellectual and developmental disabilities. with the growing number of cases firefighters, first responders, police officers and emergency technicians need to be properly trained, ready and able to serve all people.

People with mental health, intellectual and developmental disabilities sometimes require different treatment than those who do not suffer from these conditions. Without proper training to identify there is a condition and the skill necessary to handle the situation properly, there is the possibility that both the victim and the person providing the service may be injured or worse. To increase the safety of all individuals involved, training should be provided to reduce the chance of additional unnecessary problems or injuries caused by inexperience. Giving service providers/first responders the tools to assess and properly/safely handle themselves during all types of emergency scenarios, can only improves their effectiveness and increase their ability to keep all of our citizens safe. The state already recognizes that certain people with specific conditions require more specialized care, therefore, it is only logical that training be required of those who hold in their hands the responsibility of safety to our most vulnerable.

Prior legislative history

2010: S.5528-A Held in Mental Health & Developmental Disabilities

Fiscal implications

None.

Effective date

This act shall take effect immediately, except that sections 2, 3, and 4 of this act shall take effect June 1, 2012.