Requires employees and volunteers providing services to persons with developmental disabilities to complete certain training

BILL NUMBER:S5813A

Title of bill

An act to amend the mental hygiene law, in relation to standardized training curriculum requirements for employees and volunteers providing services to persons with developmental disabilities

Purpose

This bill will standardize safety trainings at developmental disability facilities.

Summary of provisions

Section 1 amends section 13.23 of the Mental Hygiene Law by adding a new paragraph (d) which requires the Commissioner of the Office for People with Developmental Disabilities to develop an educational curriculum for all providers operated or licensed by the agency. The educational curriculum shall include training in abuse, neglect and maltreatment indication and prevention; laws, regulations and procedures governing the protection of persons with disabilities from abuse, neglect and maltreatment; identification, safety and security procedures; fire safety; first aid; cardiopulmonary resuscitation; cultural competence, and any other appropriate topic.

Section 2 provides the effective date.

Justification

As reported in the New York Times over the past several years, allegations of abuse, neglect, and maltreatment in programs run or certified by the Office of People with Developmental Disabilities are a problem. In response to these articles, a series of statewide public hearings were held that were aimed at carefully examining the quality of care and safety measures in homes for individuals with developmental disabilities. As a result of the hearings, it was learned that many staffers may not have adequate training in recognizing or reporting neglect or abuse. This bill will ensure that employees of developmental disability facilities will receive adequate training regarding patient safety.

Legislative history

New bill.

Fiscal implications

Minimal.

Effective date

This act shall take effect July 1, 2015.