What's happening
Robin's Law requires the development of guidelines to separate sex offenders from the general patient population in outpatient treatment settings.
Why it matters
Seeks to increase patient safety. in mental health and substance use outpatient group settings by requiring the state to develop specific guidelines for separating sex offenders from other patients, potentially reducing risk for vulnerable individuals.
Mandates use of evidence-based practices. for developing these separation guidelines, which may improve the quality and effectiveness of both offender management and overall patient treatment.
Requires broad stakeholder input. including consumer advocates, providers, and victim rights groups—in designing the new procedures, aiming to ensure that diverse perspectives and concerns are considered in policy formation.
Could impact access and operations. for outpatient providers, as they may need to adjust group session structures, staff training, or facility logistics to comply with the new separation standards.
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Who cares
Headline styles
Separate Sex Offender Treatment Groups
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
History
- Referred to mental health
- Referred to mental health
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.
Separate Sex Offender Treatment Groups
In Senate Committee · Mental Health And Developmental Disabilities · Sponsor Phil Boyle
Full text
2 pagesUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
6039
2019-2020 Regular Sessions
IN ASSEMBLY
February 26, 2019
Introduced by M. of A. CUSICK, RAIA, CROUCH, ARROYO -- Multi-Sponsored by -- M. of A. ABBATE, BRAUNSTEIN, COOK, DAVILA, DiPIETRO, McDONOUGH, SIMON -- read once and referred to the Committee on Mental Health
AN ACT to create "Robin's law"; and to amend the mental hygiene law, in relation to mental health and chemical dependence outpatient treatment of sex offenders
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assembly, do enact as follows:
Section 1. This act shall be known and may be cited as "Robin's law."
§ 2. The mental hygiene law is amended by adding a new section 7.48 to read as follows: § 7.48 Sex offenders; outpatient group setting.
The commissioner shall develop guidelines and procedures regarding sex offenders, as defined in section one hundred sixty-eight-a of the correction law, and detained sex offenders, as defined in section 10.03 of this title, receiving services in an outpatient group setting. Such guidelines and procedures shall outline best practices to ensure a protected, safe and clinically sound treatment environment for all patients and shall, to the greatest extent possible, be based on evidence-based clinical treatment standards regarding the segregation of sex offenders from the general patient population. In developing such guidelines and procedures, the commissioner shall consult with a panel of stakeholders who shall include, but not be limited to, representatives of consumer advocates, providers and victim rights groups. Such panel shall consist of nine members, of whom: five shall be appointed by the governor, two shall be appointed by the temporary president of the senate and two shall be appointed by the speaker of the assembly.
§ 3. The mental hygiene law is amended by adding a new section 19.45 to read as follows: § 19.45 Sex offenders; outpatient group setting.
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD04333-01-9
A. 6039 2
The commissioner shall develop guidelines and procedures regarding sex offenders, as defined in section one hundred sixty-eight-a of the correction law, and detained sex offenders, as defined in section 10.03 of this chapter, receiving services in an outpatient group setting. Such guidelines and procedures shall outline best practices to ensure a protected, safe and clinically sound treatment environment for all patients and shall, to the greatest extent possible, be based on evidence-based clinical treatment standards regarding the segregation of sex offenders from the general patient population. In developing such guidelines and procedures, the commissioner shall consult with a panel of stakeholders who shall include, but not be limited to, representatives of consumer advocates, providers and victim rights groups. Such panel shall consist of nine members, of whom: five shall be appointed by the governor, two shall be appointed by the temporary president of the senate and two shall be appointed by the speaker of the assembly.
§ 4. This act shall take effect immediately.
Reflowed for reading: line numbers and page breaks removed. Cite the official text.
Summaries, headlines and scores are AI-generated from the official bill text. How we score bills. Source: NYS Open Legislation.