BILL NUMBER: S9523
SPONSOR: FERNANDEZ
 
TITLE OF BILL:
An act to amend the mental hygiene law, in relation to establishing a
co-occurring disorders patient bill of rights; and making an appropri-
ation therefor
 
PURPOSE:
To establish a co-occurring disorders patient bill of rights; appropri-
ation.
 
SUMMARY OF SPECIFIC PROVISIONS:
Section 1: The mental hygiene law is amended by adding a new section
19.47. Co-occurring disorders patient bill of rights. The office shall,
in conjunction with state agencies which interact with persons with
co-occurring disorders including, but not limited to, the office of
mental health, department of social services, office of children and
family services, and the department of education:
I. Adopt a co-occurring disorders patient bill of rights.
2. Submit a report to the legislature and the governor on the status of
the integrated services delivery in New York, including state operated,
contracted, and regulated services in each region of the state.
3. Develop a five- year plan for implementing the co-occurring disorders
bill of rights as well as an annual report of progress after each year,
and then a five year report summarizing the entire five year plan with
the next five year plan.
4. Identify the need for additional resources. The office shall, on or
before January first of each year, submit the additional resources
required.
Section 2: The sum of two million dollars is hereby appropriated to the
offices of addiction services.
Section 3: Identifies effective date.
 
JUSTIFICATION:
Co-occurring Disorder, according to the Substance Abuse and Mental
Health Services Administration (SAMHS─), refers to the coexistence of
both a mental illness and a substance use disorder (SUD). A 2022
National survey on Drug Use and Health showed that approximately 21.5
million adults in the US have a co-occurring disorder.
The Pew Charitable Trusts analyzed data from the National Survey on Drug
Use and Health and found that people with co-occurring disorders were
unlikely to receive treatment for more than one disorder, even though
research demonstrates that simultaneous, coordinated treatment for
multiple diagnoses produces better outcomes compared with separate
treatment for only mental illness or substance use disorder. Research-
ers have found that communities with more treatment availability may
have lower crime and jail incarceration rates. An increased focus on the
needs of people with co-occurring disorders particularly on integrated
treatment for both mental illness and substance use-could make an even
larger impact on the number of people entering and cycling back through
the. justice system.
Additionally, they found that The Integrated Dual Disorder Treatment
(IDDT) model improves quality of life for people with co-occurring
severe mental illness and substance use disorders by combining substance
abuse services with mental health services. It helps people address both
disorders at the same time-in the same service organization by the same
team of treatment providers.
Currently many states are developing curriculums for initial and ongo-
ing training and supervision to help providers achieve competency. Other
states have created career ladders and certification pathways to encour-
age providers to achieve greater competency and to reward them for this
achievement. States are reviewing their practices and trying to find
better ways to treat those with co-occurring disorders. In 2019 Massa-
chusetts commissioned a report examining the Statewide availability of
health care providers serving patients with co-occurring substance use
disorder and mental illness. Through this report they defined ways to
improve their health care system.
This bill will help to ensure that New York will work towards providing
an effective system of treating individuals with co-occurring disorders
by defining a patient bill of rights, be accountable through reports
regulating the status of the integrated services delivery in New Y ork,
develop a five year plan for implementing a bill of rights and identify
the need for funding.
 
LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:
New Bill
 
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS:
 
EFFECTIVE DATE:
This act shall take effect on the ninetieth day after it shall become
law. Effective immediately, the addition, amendment and/or repeal of any
rule or regulation necessary for the implementation of this act on its
effective date are authorized to be made and completed on or before such
effective date.