Requires counties to maintain a confidential registry of people of all ages with disabilities for disaster preparedness

BILL NUMBER:S4759

Title of bill

An act to amend the executive law, in relation to requiring counties to maintain a confidential registry of people of all ages with disabilities for evacuation and sheltering during disasters

Purpose or general idea of the bill

The purpose of this bill is to protect people of all ages with disabilities during times of disaster by requiring counties to maintain a confidential registry of people who may require assistance during a disaster.

Summary of specific provisions

This bill would require each county to maintain a confidential registry of people of all ages with disabilities. Inclusion in the confidential registry would be voluntary and provisions are included to provide people of all ages with disabilities the option of not being included in the registry. All records, data, information, correspondence, and communications relating to the registration of people of all ages with disabilities would be confidential and only available to the appropriate county, state, and federal agencies for disaster preparedness purposes. The individual file of a person who registers would be available to that person upon request.

To assist the county in identifying people of all ages with a disability, the county departments of Health, Social Services, and Mental Health or any other county department or agency designated by the county chief executive would have to provide registration information to all of their new and existing clients of all ages with disabilities. In addition, the county chief executive would have to publish in a newspaper at least twice a year a notice of availability of the registration program and provide information in regards to the registry to other forms of media, including electronic media. Furthermore, all community based service providers would assist the county executive in collecting registration information from people of all ages with disabilities, establish programs to increase awareness of the registration process, and educate consumers about the procedures that may be necessary during a disaster.

Justification

Article 2-B of the Executive Law sets forth New York State policy for disaster preparedness plans. Section 23-a provides counties with the authority to maintain a county registry of people with disabilities in order to meet special needs of persons of all ages with disabilities who would need assistance in times of disaster.

In 2005 and 2006, the Committee on Governmental Operations held a series of statewide hearings on various aspects of disaster preparedness. In the March 2006 hearing held in Utica, testimony was received that only two of sixty-two counties have a county registry of people with disabilities. Testimony was also received from State officials identifying this as vulnerability in disaster response.

This bill will greatly aid localities in preparing for and responding to disasters. Creating a standardized registry in each county in the state will allow information to be sent out quickly and efficiently in an emergency and help protect persons of all ages with disabilities.

Prior legislative history

2010: Passed both Houses, vetoed (Message No. 6739). 2009: died in Rules; died in Assembly Governmental Operations.

Fiscal implications

Some costs would be associated with creating a new confidential registry.

Effective date

January 1st after enactment.