What's happening
This bill requires the creation of a public outreach program on heroin dangers and appropriates $500,000 for its implementation.
Why it matters
Targets Multiple Audiences. The outreach program is designed not just for the general public, but also specifically tailors messages for high-risk social and age groups, current heroin users, and those seeking or undergoing addiction treatment—potentially making interventions more effective.
Comprehensive Educational Content. The required materials must cover a wide range of topics, including the risk of addiction after one use, information about New York's Good Samaritan Law, demographic data on heroin addiction, physiological symptoms, the use and impact of opioid antagonists for overdoses, and access to state addiction helplines—broadening public understanding beyond just "heroin is dangerous."
Emphasis on Accessibility and Modern Outreach. By mandating the use of social media, interactive media, and a prominent, free-download section on the official website, the bill aims to maximize the reach and accessibility of information, especially to people who may not consume traditional media.
Immediate Funding and Action. The appropriation of $500,000 ensures the program has dedicated resources and can start right away, reflecting urgency and a tangible commitment to combating heroin abuse.
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Who cares
Office of Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Services
The bill would direct its commissioner to create a heroin-awareness campaign and appropriate up to $500,000 to carry it out.
People at risk of experimenting with heroin
Targeted announcements would warn them about heroin’s dangers, including the risk of addiction after only one use.
People using heroin or seeking or undergoing addiction treatment
The campaign would specifically target them with information including overdose response, New York’s good samaritan law and the office’s HOPEline.
Overdose prevention advocates
The campaign would publicize the availability and critical effectiveness of opioid antagonists in suspected overdoses and make announcements freely downloadable.
Headline styles
Fund Heroin Awareness Campaign
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
History
- Referred to finance
- Referred to finance
Full text
2 pagesUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
4437
2019-2020 Regular Sessions
IN SENATE
March 11, 2019
Introduced by Sens. PARKER, ADDABBO, BAILEY, HOYLMAN, MONTGOMERY, RIVERA -- read twice and ordered printed, and when printed to be committed to the Committee on Finance
AN ACT to amend the mental hygiene law, in relation to a public awareness educational program on heroin; and making an appropriation therefor
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assembly, do enact as follows:
Section 1. Section 19.09 of the mental hygiene law is amended by adding a new subdivision (k) to read as follows:
(k) The commissioner shall create a multi-faceted public outreach program to raise awareness of the inherent dangers and costs of heroin use. The program shall consist of such public service announcements and interactive media spots designed to reach the broadest possible general audience, as well as those designed to specifically target those social and age groups that are most at risk for experimenting with heroin, those who are currently using heroin, and those who are seeking or undergoing treatment for heroin addiction. The content of such outreach efforts shall include, but not be limited to, such topics as: the dangers of addiction after only one use; section 220.78 of the penal law, otherwise known as New York state's good samaritan law; the current demographics of heroin addiction; the recognizable physiological symptoms of addiction; the availability and the critical effectiveness of administering an opioid antagonist in cases of suspected overdose; and the availability of the office's HOPEline. The commissioner shall post the announcements, examine all possible methodologies, and take all other efforts, including the use of social media sites, to ensure that the announcements are viewed by the maximum number of people. The commissioner shall also provide copies of the announcements on its website in a highly visible location that are available to be freely downloaded by any member of the public.
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD10391-01-9
S. 4437 2
§ 2. The sum of five hundred thousand dollars ($500,000), or so much thereof as may be necessary, is hereby appropriated to the department of mental hygiene out of any moneys in the state treasury in the general fund to the credit of the office of alcoholism and substance abuse services, not otherwise appropriated, and made immediately available, for the purpose of carrying out the provisions of this act. Such moneys shall be payable on the audit and warrant of the comptroller on vouchers certified or approved by the commissioner of the office of alcoholism and substance abuse services in the manner prescribed by law.
§ 3. This act shall take effect immediately.
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 a public awareness educational program on heroin; and making an appro- priation therefor
Purpose
Directs the commissioner to establish and implement a new school district system statewide that will consolidate school districts by county to reduce waste, redundancy and costs.
Summary of specific provision
Section 1: Sets forth the legislative finding and declaration
Read the full memo (611 words)
Section 2: The commissioner of the New York state department of educa- tion shall establish and implement a new school district system such that there are 62 school districts in New York state. School districts located in a city with a population of one million or more shall be exempt.
Section 3: Within 1 year of the effective date the commissioner shall submit a report proposing implementing legislation to effect and fund the consolidation of school districts.
Section 4: Repeals Article 33 of title II of the education law - Common School districts.
Section 5: Repeals Article 35 of title II of the education law - Union Free School Districts
Section 6: Repeals Article 37 of title II of the education law - Central School Districts
Section 7: Repeals Article 39 of title II of the education law - Central High School Districts
Section 8: Repeals Article 51 of title II of the education law - City School Districts of Cities with less than 125,000 inhabitants
Section 9: Repeals Article 52 of title II of the education law - City School Districts of Cities with 125,000 inhabitants or more
Section 10: Repeals Article 53 of title II of the education law - School Elections in City School Districts of Cities with less than 125,000 Inhabitants.
Section 11: This Act shall take effect on the 365th day after it shall have become a law
Justification
New York's public schools are required to prepare all students to successfully excel in today's global economy. Currently New York spends more money per student than any other state in the nation but ranks 39th in high school graduation rates. Ensuring that each school district meets the needs of each and every student is a daunting task. New York has struggled with the ongoing process of reorganizing our school district system in a way that provides a solution to the negative effects of declining school enrollment, broadens the scope of program offerings, facilitates optimum class scheduling, increases professional resources, and alleviates heavy tax burden. This bill directs the commissioner of education to reorganize the school districts in a manner that addresses the needs of each and every student.
Small school districts, which are typically not wealthy have difficulty providing the scope of educational programs and variety of opportunities which are available in larger districts. If student enrollment drops in these districts, the district is often forced to choose between a reduction in programs offered or an increase in local property taxes. Reorganizing these types of school districts into a larger district will allow the school district to provide a broader choice of subjects offered, reduce operational costs, increase the probability that teach- ers will serve in their area of expertise and allow for necessary upgrades to facilities. This in turn will result in better educated students who can compete in the global economy.
Additionally, the reorganization of school districts will result in a more cost-effective administrative organization and eliminate redundancy in facilities, supplies, and equipment.
Prior legislative history
2017-18: S2345 -Referred to Education 2015-16: S2621 -Referred to Education 2013-14: S5226 -Referred to Education
Fiscal implications
Unknown
Effective date
This act shall take effect on the three hundred sixty-fifth day after it shall have become law.
Summaries, headlines and scores are AI-generated from the official bill text. How we score bills. Source: NYS Open Legislation.