What's happening
This bill authorizes certain state officials, legislators, and clergy to visit mental health and developmental disability facilities at will.
Why it matters
Increases oversight and transparency. by allowing a broad range of public officials and local clergy to enter mental health and developmental disability facilities at any time, potentially uncovering issues or abuses more quickly.
Empowers local legislators and religious leaders. not just statewide officials—to observe facility conditions, which could lead to more responsive advocacy and policy changes based on direct observations.
May impact privacy and daily operations. for facility residents and staff, as increased visits from external parties could disrupt routines or raise concerns about confidentiality and dignity.
Signals a shift toward greater public accountability. for the treatment and care provided in state-run mental health and developmental disability facilities, possibly influencing public trust and future funding priorities.
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Who cares
Headline styles
Let Legislators Visit Facilities
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
Senator · Senate District 38
No co-sponsors yet.
History
- Referred to mental health and developmental disabilities
Full text
1 pageUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
7000
IN SENATE (Prefiled)
January 8, 2020
Introduced by Sen. CARLUCCI -- read twice and ordered printed, and when printed to be committed to the Committee on Mental Health and Developmental Disabilities
AN ACT to amend the mental hygiene law, in relation to authorizing certain legislators to visit office of mental health and office for people with developmental disabilities operated and certified facilities
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assembly, do enact as follows:
Section 1. Section 7.17 of the mental hygiene law is amended by adding a new subdivision (g) to read as follows:
(g) The following persons shall be authorized to visit at pleasure all facilities and hospitals operated under this article: governor and lieutenant-governor, commissioner of general services, secretary of state, comptroller and attorney-general, members of the legislature and their accompanying staff, judges of the court of appeals, supreme court and county judges, district attorneys and every clergyman or minister, as such terms are defined in section two of the religious corporations law, having charge of a congregation in the county wherein any such facility is situated.
§ 2. Section 13.17 of the mental hygiene law is amended by adding a new subdivision (e) to read as follows:
(e) The following persons shall be authorized to visit at pleasure all facilities and hospitals operated under this article: governor and lieutenant-governor, commissioner of general services, secretary of state, comptroller and attorney-general, members of the legislature and their accompanying staff, judges of the court of appeals, supreme court and county judges, district attorneys and every clergyman or minister, as such terms are defined in section two of the religious corporations law, having charge of a congregation in the county wherein any such facility is situated.
§ 3. This act shall take effect immediately.
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD14296-01-9
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 authorizing certain legislators to visit office of mental health and office for people with developmental disabilities operated and certified facilities
Purpose or general idea of the bill
To allow certain legislators and officials to visit, at pleasure, all facilities and hospitals operated by the Office of Mental Health and the Office for People with Developmental Disabilities.
Summary of provisions
Section one of the bill amends the mental hygiene law by adding a new subdivision (g) as it relates to authorizing the following officials to visit all Office of Mental Health and Office for People with Develop- mental Disabilities operated and certified facilities: the governor and lieutenant governor, commissioner of general services, secretary of state, comptroller and attorney-general, members of the legislature and their accompanying staff, judges of the court of appeals, supreme court and county judges, district attorneys and every clergyman or minister.
Section two of the bill amends the mental hygiene law by adding a new subdivision (e).
Section three of the bill sets the effective date.
Justification
Elected officials and other community office holders have a vested interest in the quality of care and the conditions present at facilities operated by the Office of Mental Health and Office for People with Developmental Disabilities. This bill will allow officials to visit these facilities unannounced, at their pleasure, to survey them in their de facto state.
Legislative history
None.
Fiscal implications for state and local governments
None to the State.
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.