Directs the state interoperable and emergency communication board to establish a system for advance notification of 911 answering points of developmentally disabled

BILL NUMBER:S2662

Title of bill

An act to amend the county law, in relation to authoriz- ing the advance notification to local and state safety answering points on persons with developmental disabilities at certain locations

Purpose

This legislation will establish and implement a program that authorizes the owner, resident of any residence or operator of any facility that provides services to developmentally disabled persons to provide any local or state safety answering point serving a resident or a facility with information regarding the specific need of any person with development disabilities.

Summary of provisions

Section One - amends Section 328 of the county law by adding a new subdivision 11 which creates a board with the Commissioner of Health and the Commissioner of Developmental Disabilities. This board will estab- lish and implement a program that authorizes the owner or resident of any residence of the operator of any facility providing services to developmentally disabled persons, to provide any local state safety answering point serving such residence or facility with information of the presence and specific need of any person with developmental disabil- ities persons.

This facility will provide any local or state safety answering point serving such residence or facility with information of the presence and specific need of any persons with developmental disabilities upon the premises. This information will only be used by emergency personnel if there is an emergency involving the personal with developmental disabil- ities.

Section Two - states this shall take effect immediately.

Justification

A leading cause for concern for parents and care provid- ers of children and adults with autism is that they have tendency to run away or wander. Tragically, children and adults with autism are often attracted to water sources such as pools, ponds, and lakes. Drowning is a leading cause of death for a child or adult who has autism. Wandering can also lead to high-risk field contacts with law enforcement or members of the public.

This legislation will help ensure the safety of and lower the risk for a child or adult with special needs from having an unfortunate encounter with first responders, by allowing parents and care providers to be proactive and inform first responders of the person in their cares specific special needs.

By having local 911-call centers red flag specific information in their 911-computer database about the special needs of residents. 911 opera- tors will be able to alert the first responder before they arrive with

key information that can improve the response. When we provide law enforcement with information before an incident occurs, we can expect better responses.

Legislative history

6/16/11 Passed the Senate 1/4/12 Referred to Local Government

Fiscal implications

To be determined.

Effective date

This bill shall take effect immediately.