BILL NUMBER: S4918
SPONSOR: SCARCELLA-SPANTON
 
TITLE OF BILL:
An act to amend the mental hygiene law, in relation to creating intera-
gency placement committees to recommend treatment and rehabilitation
programs or strategies for youths with co-existing mental disabilities
 
PURPOSE OR GENERAL IDEA OF BILL:
Creates interagency placement committees to recommend treatment and
rehabilitation programs or strategies for youths with co-existing mental
disabilities.
 
SUMMARY OF PROVISIONS:
Section 1 amends the mental hygiene law by adding section 41.58 Intera-
gency Placement Committee. This section lays out the guidelines for such
committees.
Section 2 establishes the effective date.
 
JUSTIFICATION:
There is an increase in cases where children are in crises and there is
a shortage of housing for them. Many of these youths are sent to our
local hospitals as a first step and then there is no secure housing for
them when they are released. It can be a court matter, a school matter,
or a family situation that has escalated. Children in the state who are
dealing with complex co-existing mental health disorders are often shuf-
fled around the system, with no real action being taken to remedy their
situation. This legislation will ensure that our state agencies are
working together, in a timely manner, to place children in treatment
facilities that are best equipped to deal with their unique needs.
Additionally, this legislation will call for a report to be submitted to
the legislature that will identify the gaps in our treatment across the
state, and recommendations to start mending this problem.
 
PRIOR LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:
2024; Held in Mental Health Senate Committee.
 
EFFECTIVE DATE:
This act shall take effect on the one hundred eightieth day after it
shall have become a law.