What's happening
This bill requires sensitivity training for counselors providing services related to alcohol, substance abuse, or compulsive gambling in New York.
Why it matters
Expands counselor qualification requirements. by mandating that all counselors for alcohol, substance abuse, or compulsive gambling services must now complete sensitivity training, not just traditional clinical coursework or experience.
Focuses on addressing personal bias and cultural competence. by defining sensitivity training as education aimed at increasing self-awareness of prejudices and improving responsiveness to the backgrounds and experiences of clients.
Seeks to improve client outcomes. by ensuring counselors are better equipped to interact respectfully and effectively with individuals from diverse backgrounds, which could help reduce barriers to seeking treatment and improve the quality of care.
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Who cares
Headline styles
Require Counselor Sensitivity Training
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
No co-sponsors yet.
History
- Referred to alcoholism and drug abuse
- Referred to alcoholism and drug abuse
Full text
1 pageUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
5824
2017-2018 Regular Sessions
IN SENATE
May 2, 2017
Introduced by Sen. PERSAUD -- read twice and ordered printed, and when printed to be committed to the Committee on Alcoholism and Drug Abuse
AN ACT to amend the mental hygiene law, in relation to sensitivity training
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assembly, do enact as follows:
Section 1. Paragraph 1 of subdivision (d) of section 19.07 of the mental hygiene law, as amended by section 5 of part I of chapter 58 of the laws of 2005, is amended to read as follows:
(1) The office shall establish minimum qualifications for counselors in all phases of delivery of services to persons and their families who are suffering from alcohol and/or substance abuse and/or chemical dependence and/or compulsive gambling that shall include, but not be limited to, completion of approved courses of study or equivalent on-the-job experience in alcoholism and substance abuse counseling and/or counseling of compulsive gambling. Such approved courses of study or equivalent on-the-job experience shall include sensitivity training. For the purposes of this paragraph, sensitivity training shall mean a form of training with the goal of making people more aware of their own prejudices and more sensitive to others.
§ 2. This act shall take effect immediately.
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD10469-01-7
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 sensitivity training
Purpose or general idea of bill
The purpose of this bill is to require counselors and health professionals to complete sensitivity training.
Summary of specific provisions
Paragraph 1 of subdivision (d) of section 19.07 of the mental hygiene law, as amended by section 5 of part I of chapter 58 the laws of 2005 is being amended by adding "Such approved courses of study or equivalent on-the-job experience shall include sensitivity training. For the purposes of this paragraph, sensitivity training shall mean a form of training with the goal of making people more aware of their own prejudices and more sensitive to others."
Justification
This bill is designed to establish that counselors and health professionals receive sensitivity training so they can be more understanding and sensitive towards patients. As a result of their training, they will be taught how to provide adequate care for individuals and their families who are suffering from alcohol and/or substance abuse and/or chemical dependence and/or compulsive gambling.
Prior legislative history
None
Fiscal implications to state and local government
None.
Effective date
Immediately.
Summaries, headlines and scores are AI-generated from the official bill text. How we score bills. Source: NYS Open Legislation.