Requires boards of visitors provide greater transparency to the public regarding such boards' activities including when it meets and providing materials to the public.
Establishes a comprehensive training program for care managers employed by care coordination organizations; mandates care managers complete the training before working with clients.
Directs the independent developmental disability ombudsman program to establish a service delivery structure based in New York state that includes a toll-free telephone hotline, an interactive website, and availability of in-person, telephone and email access to ombudsman program staff or volunteers; to provide assistance for navigating and completing processes; to assist individuals in filing and preparing appeals; to assist individuals with any problems encountered; and to educate individuals on their rights and responsibilities with respect to access to services provided by the office for people with developmental disabilities and care coordination provided by health homes serving individuals with developmental disabilities or services provided by other providers.
Establishes the people with disabilities access to programs commission to examine, evaluate and make recommendations for new laws with respect to how the state should streamline eligibility requirements and processes for its programs and services to assist people with disabilities.
Provides for due process procedures for persons who currently are placed in New York state education department approved out-of-state residential schools pursuant to the education law and the federal individuals with disabilities education act who have received an offer for transitional care or certain care prior to becoming eligible to receive such care.
Requires OPWDD to purchase and provide essential personal protection equipment to all direct support professionals, care recipients and group home providers in the event of a declaration of a state emergency that relates to public health.
Permits that when the division of criminal justice services has provided criminal history information within the previous twelve months to any state agency for certain individuals, such information can be used to satisfy the required criminal history check for such employee without having to re-request such information.
Requires the office for people with developmental disabilities to produce and publish a report to assess the staffing and other issues causing the continued displacement of individuals with developmental disabilities from various state-operated institutions under the jurisdiction of the office for people with developmental disabilities.
Establishes the "blue-ribbon commission on the future of New York state's service delivery system for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities act" to conduct a study and prepare a report to examine, evaluate and make recommendations for systemic reforms to ensure a sustainable set of supports and services that meets the evolving needs of all individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
Requires the commissioner of the office for people with developmental disabilities to work with an independent firm to allow such firm to conduct a study on the OPWDD eligibility criteria and determinations following diagnostic evaluations by a licensed professional and distribution of services.