What's happening
This bill adds fetal alcohol spectrum disorders to the definition of developmental disability in New York's mental hygiene law.
Why it matters
Expanding the definition of developmental disability to include Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders (FASD) recognizes these conditions as eligible for state-supported services and protections. This change could help individuals with FASD gain access to educational, healthcare, and social supports they may currently be excluded from.
The law sets specific criteria for FASD eligibility, including age (over 7), formal diagnosis, early onset, and significant impact on daily living. These requirements may help ensure that resources are directed to individuals with substantial and long-term needs, but could also mean some people with milder or late-diagnosed FASD might not qualify.
This amendment acknowledges the lifelong and pervasive challenges associated with FASD, potentially reducing stigma and promoting better understanding among professionals and the public. Recognizing FASD alongside other well-known developmental disabilities could encourage earlier intervention and more comprehensive support systems.
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Who cares
Headline styles
Recognize Fetal Alcohol Disorders
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
History
- Referred to ways and means
- Print number 999a
- Amend and recommit to ways and means
- Reported referred to ways and means
- Referred to people with 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.
Add FASD to Disability Definition
In Senate Committee · Disabilities · Sponsor Samra Brouk
Full text
1 pageUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
999--A
2025-2026 Regular Sessions
IN ASSEMBLY (Prefiled)
January 8, 2025
Introduced by M. of A. CLARK, HEVESI, LUPARDO, GLICK, SIMON, LUNSFORD, SIMONE, KELLES, MEEKS, BURDICK, BENDETT, JENSEN, SANTABARBARA, SEAWRIGHT, SEMPOLINSKI -- read once and referred to the Committee on People with Disabilities -- reported and referred to the Committee on Ways and Means -- committee discharged, bill amended, ordered reprinted as amended and recommitted to said committee
AN ACT to amend the mental hygiene law, in relation to adding fetal alcohol spectrum disorders to the definition of developmental disability
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assembly, do enact as follows:
Section 1. Subparagraph 1 of paragraph (a) of subdivision 22 of section 1.03 of the mental hygiene law, as amended by chapter 114 of the laws of 2017, is amended to read as follows:
(1) (i) is attributable to intellectual disability, cerebral palsy, epilepsy, neurological impairment, familial dysautonomia, Prader-Willi syndrome or autism; or (ii) is attributable to fetal alcohol spectrum disorders (FASD) including fetal alcohol syndrome (FAS), partial fetal alcohol syndrome (pFAS), and alcohol-related neurodevelopmental disorder (ARND), provided, however, that for the purposes of this section, persons so considered under this clause shall:
(A) be over the age of seven years;
(B) have an FASD qualifying diagnosis by a provider;
(C) have an onset of such condition, disorder, or syndrome prior to the age of twenty-two;
(D) exhibit a likelihood of indefinite continuation of such condition, disorder, or syndrome; and
(E) such diagnosis must have a substantial impact on the person's ability to complete activities of daily living;
§ 2. This act shall take effect twenty-four months after it shall have become a law.
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD01248-02-5
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.