What's happening
This bill creates a state-issued identification card for individuals with developmental disabilities to assist in interactions with emergency personnel.
Why it matters
Could improve safety and understanding during emergencies. By providing clear, official documentation of a developmental disability, the card can help emergency personnel quickly adapt their approach, reducing the risk of misunderstandings or escalation, especially in high-stress situations.
Empowers individuals and families. The option for individuals, guardians, or caregivers to request the card allows people with developmental disabilities to have more control over how they are identified and supported in public and emergency interactions.
Personalized emergency response. With space for emergency contacts and additional information on the back, the card can facilitate faster, more effective help tailored to the individual's needs, potentially improving outcomes in urgent situations.
May influence statewide protocols and training. The existence of this state-issued card could prompt police, firefighters, and EMS agencies to update their training and procedures to better recognize and appropriately interact with people carrying the card, fostering broader disability awareness.
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Who cares
Headline styles
Disability ID Card Program
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
3 Co-sponsors
History
- Substituted by A249C
- Advanced to third reading
- 2nd report cal.
- 1st report cal.1336
- Reported and committed to finance
- Referred to mental health and developmental disabilities
- Print number 2565c
- Amend (t) and recommit to finance
- Reported and committed to finance
- Print number 2565b
- Amend and recommit to mental health and developmental disabilities
- Print number 2565a
Show 2 earlier actions
- Amend and recommit to mental health and developmental disabilities
- 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.
Disability ID Cards Approved
Signed by Governor · Sponsor Angelo Santabarbara
Full text
2 pagesUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
2565--C
2017-2018 Regular Sessions
IN SENATE
January 13, 2017
Introduced by Sens. HELMING, ALCANTARA, AVELLA, BROOKS -- read twice and ordered printed, and when printed to be committed to the Committee on Mental Health and Developmental Disabilities -- committee discharged, bill amended, ordered reprinted as amended and recommitted to said committee -- committee discharged, bill amended, ordered reprinted as amended and recommitted to said committee -- reported favorably from said committee and committed to the Committee on Finance -- committee discharged, bill amended, ordered reprinted as amended and recommitted to said committee
AN ACT to amend the mental hygiene law, in relation to providing for identification cards for individuals with developmental disabilities
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assembly, do enact as follows:
Section 1. The mental hygiene law is amended by adding a new section 13.43 to read as follows: § 13.43 Disabilities identification card.
(a) The commissioner shall develop an identification card denoting that a person has been medically diagnosed with a developmental disability. Such identification card may be presented to law enforcement, firefighters and emergency medical services personnel as necessary.
(b) Upon the request of a person with developmental disabilities, or the guardian or caregiver of such person, the office shall issue such developmental disabilities identification card in accordance with eligibility and documentation criteria established by the office for a fee to be determined by the commissioner.
(c) The front of such card shall indicate that it has been issued by the office pursuant to this section and shall include:
(1) the card bearer's name;
(2) the card bearer's address;
(3) the card bearer's date of birth; and
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD05256-06-7
S. 2565--C 2
(4) the following statement: "I HAVE A DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITY. I MAY HAVE DIFFICULTY UNDERSTANDING AND FOLLOWING YOUR DIRECTIONS OR MAY BECOME UNABLE TO RESPOND. I MAY BECOME PHYSICALLY AGITATED IF YOU PROMPT ME VERBALLY OR TOUCH ME OR MOVE TOO CLOSE TO ME. A DEVELOPMENTAL DISA- BILITY IS NOT AN EXCUSE FOR ILLEGAL BEHAVIOR. I AM NOT INTENTIONALLY REFUSING TO COOPERATE. I MAY NEED YOUR ASSISTANCE. PLEASE SEE THE BACK OF THIS CARD."
(d) The back of such card shall include:
(1) at the card bearer's discretion, the name and phone number of an individual designated by such card bearer to be contacted in case of emergency; and
(2) a designated space where such card bearer may include any additional information.
§ 2. This act shall take effect on the one hundred eightieth day after it shall have become a law; provided that, effective immediately, the addition, amendment, and/or repeal of any rules and regulations necessary to implement the provisions of this act on its effective date are authorized and directed to be completed on or before such effective date.
Reflowed for reading: line numbers and page breaks removed. Cite the official text.
Sponsor's memo
Title of bill
An act to amend the mental hygiene law, in relation to providing for identification cards for individuals with developmental disabilities
Purpose or general idea of bill
To allow individuals and parents of children with a developmental disability to receive an optional identification card which relays important information regarding developmental disabilities such as autism spectrum disorders that may be relevant during interactions with first responders and other individuals.
Summary of specific provisions
Section 1: The vehicle and traffic law is amended by adding a new article 17-D, Disabilities Identification Card, authorizing the Commissioner of the Office for People With Developmental Disabilities to create an identification care for people with developmental disabilities.
Section 2: This section sets the effective date and provides that any rules or regulations necessary to implement this legislation may be completed prior to the effective date.
Justification
This legislation would authorize the state to offer an identification card that people with a developmental disability such as Autism Spectrum Disorder could choose to obtain in order to help them convey information about their diagnosis. This optional identification card would allow an individual to easily communicate important information, including difficulties with interpersonal communications and physical contact that could be difficult to when interacting with law enforcement or in an emergency.
Currently, a variety of organizations and localities throughout the country provide unofficial versions of such a card. However, these cards do not have standardized language, and may not be readily recognized by first responders. Creation of an official document, with standard language, appearance and application standards across the state will improve the ability of individuals with developmental disabilities to effectively communicate important information about their diagnosis.
Prior legislative history
S.6230a of 2015/2016
Fiscal implications
To be determined.
Effective date
This act shall take effect on the one hundred eightieth day after it shall have become a law; provided that, effective immediately, any rules or regulations necessary to implement the provisions of this act on its effective date are authorized and directed to be completed on or before such effective date.
Summaries, headlines and scores are AI-generated from the official bill text. How we score bills. Source: NYS Open Legislation.