What's happening
Writing a plain-English summary… Track this bill to get it by email.
Why it matters
Albany, before your first meeting.
Every bill that moved yesterday, summarized in a sentence and ranked by impact. The Albany Scorecard follows on Sundays.
Free. Unsubscribe in one click. Want alerts on specific bills? Create an account.
Who cares
Headline styles
Sponsors
Senator · Senate District 40
2 Co-sponsors
History
- Substituted by A141B
- Amended on third reading 4582b
- Amended on third reading (t) 4582a
- Advanced to third reading
- 2nd report cal.
- 1st report cal.550
- Referred to mental health and developmental disabilities
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.
Requires a representative of veteran and alcoholism or substance abuse programs to the advisory council on alcoholism and substance abuse services
Signed by Governor · Sponsor Amy Paulin
Full text
The text isn't available here yet. Check nysenate.gov.
Sponsor's memo
BILL NUMBER:S4582B
Title of bill
An act to amend the mental hygiene law, in relation to requiring a representative of veteran and alcoholism or substance abuse programs and a representative who is a veteran that served in combat and is recovering from alcohol and/or substance abuse to the advisory council on alcoholism and substance abuse services
Purpose
To require a veterans provider representative and veterans consumer representative be included on the advisory council of the Office of Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Services (OASAS) to ensure that veteran issues are adequately addressed in OASAS planning.
Summary of provisions
Section one amends section 19.05 of the Mental Hygiene law by requiring that of the ten consumer representatives on the OASAS advisory council, one of those appointments shall be a veteran who has served in a combat theater or combat zone of operations and is a member of a veterans organization. This section further provides that of the ten representatives of providers of services one shall have provided services to veterans who have served in a combat theater or combat zone of operations.
Justification
Through their service, many military personnel in New York were exposed to or have experienced trauma, placing many of them in high risk categories of triggering underlying conditions, such as alcoholism and substance abuse problems. OASAS-certified programs treated nearly 14,000 veterans for alcohol or substance abuse in the past year. According to the federal Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, approximately 75,000 New York veterans suffer from alcoholism or alcohol dependence. At a joint hearing held February 2, 2010 by the Assembly Committees on Alcohol and Drug Abuse, Veterans' Affairs, and Mental Health, witnesses testified that many barriers exist for veterans seeking alcohol and substance abuse treatment, including lack of information, stigma, and lack of qualified counselors. This bill requires that veterans have a voice on the OASAS advisory council to ensure that veteran issues and barriers to treatment are being adequately addressed in OASAS planning.
Legislative history
A.10889, 2010 passed Assembly. Same as S.7566-A, passed Senate. Vetoed (Veto No. 6721 of 2010).
Fiscal implications
None.
Effective date
This act would take effect immediately - and shall only apply to vacancies occurring on or after such effective date.
Summaries, headlines and scores are AI-generated from the official bill text. How we score bills. Source: NYS Open Legislation.