What's happening
The bill requires facilities for people with developmental disabilities to post visible emergency 911 signs where employee notices are displayed.
Why it matters
Enhances emergency preparedness. By requiring clear 911 signage, the bill aims to ensure that staff in facilities for people with developmental disabilities can quickly access emergency services, potentially improving response times during crises.
Addresses staff turnover and training gaps. Facilities often experience staff changes, and not every employee may be familiar with emergency procedures. Visible, standardized signage helps bridge gaps in knowledge or training.
Promotes accountability and safety standards. Mandating this signage establishes a minimum, enforceable safety protocol, signaling to families and advocates that emergency readiness is a regulatory priority.
Targets high-traffic staff areas. By specifying that signs must be placed where employee notices are posted, the law maximizes the likelihood that essential emergency information is seen by all staff, not just those working in direct care roles.
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Who cares
Headline styles
Post Emergency 911 Signs
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
Senator · Senate District 38
No co-sponsors yet.
History
- Substituted by A1370C
- Ordered to third reading cal.1324
- Committee discharged and committed to rules
- Print number 5121a
- Amend and recommit to finance
- Reported and committed to finance
- 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.
Post Emergency Signs in Facilities
Signed by Governor · Sponsor Thomas Abinanti
Full text
1 pageUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
5121--A
2019-2020 Regular Sessions
IN SENATE
April 10, 2019
Introduced by Sen. CARLUCCI -- read twice and ordered printed, and when printed to be committed to the Committee on Mental Health and Developmental Disabilities -- 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 duties of providers of service to people with developmental disabilities
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assembly, do enact as follows:
Section 1. Section 16.13 of the mental hygiene law is amended by adding a new subdivision (e) to read as follows:
(e) Posting a visible notice. Facilities licensed, certified or operated by the office shall post signs in accordance with this subdivision. Such signs shall be posted and visible where employee notices are posted, be not less than eight and one-half inches by eleven inches and shall read: "In case of an emergency, dial 911".
§ 2. This act shall take effect on the one hundred twentieth day after it shall have become a law.
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD04890-11-9
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 duties of providers of service to people with developmental disabilities
Purpose or general idea of bill
The purpose of this bill is to inform individuals working in programs licensed, certified, operated or authorized by the Office for People with Developmental Disabilities to call 911 in an emergency.
Summary of provisions
Section 1 of the bill amends § 16.13 of the Mental Hygiene Law by adding a new subdivision (e) to require programs licensed, certified, operated, or authorized by the Office for People with Developmental Disabilities (OPWDD) to post signs informing individuals to call 911 in the event of an emergency. Such signs shall be posted and visible in common areas, be not less than eight and one-half inches by eleven inches and shall read: In case of an emergency, dial 911".
Section 2 is the effective date.
Difference between original and amended versions
The amendments add a new subdivision to the mental hygiene law section 16.13 rather than section 31.11; remove all reference to the Justice Center; remove programs funded by OPWDD from the posting requirement in order to clarify that signs do not need to be posted in private resi- dences or private entities where services may be provided, for example job coaching sites; and set forth the size of and language to be included in the signs.
Justification
Current law requires mandatory reporters to report signs of abuse or neglect to the Justice Center. This legislation helps to ensure that individuals are aware of their responsibility, in an emergency, to contact 911.
This legislation supports the protection of our most vulnerable popu- lation.
Prior legislative history
2017-18: A2846 passed assembly; same as S1400 (Avella) referred to mental health and developmental disabilities; 2015/2016: A7533 passes assembly; same as S7188 (Avella) referred to mental health; 2013/2014: A7907 (Weisenberg) passed assembly; S6929 (Golden) referred to mental health
Fiscal implications for state and local governments
Undetermined
Effective date
This act shall take effect immediately.
Summaries, headlines and scores are AI-generated from the official bill text. How we score bills. Source: NYS Open Legislation.