BILL NUMBER: S5317A
SPONSOR: BAILEY
 
TITLE OF BILL:
An act to amend the correction law and the mental hygiene law, in
relation to data collected for medication assisted treatment programs at
correctional facilities
 
PURPOSE OR GENERAL IDEA OF BILL:
To require the collection of certain demographic data.
 
SUMMARY OF SPECIFIC PROVISIONS:
The bill amends certain provisions of the correction law to, among other
things, require the collection demographic information of incarcerated
individuals - including race, ethnicity, gender, and age - in each
correctional facility. The bill also requires the collection of informa-
tion regarding medication assisted treatment programs operated by the
Department of Corrections and Community Supervision and local counties.
This information includes the demographic data described above, as well
The total number of such individuals determined to have a substance use
disorder that can be treated with a federal food and drug administration
approved medication and whether ad which point dosages changes, includ-
ing for people with existing prescriptions for a medication to treat
substance use disorder.
 
JUSTIFICATION:
Chapter 432 of the laws of 2021 required all New York State prisons and
local jails to provide those who are incarcerated and struggling with a
substance use disorder access to medication assisted treatment (MAT).
MAT is an evidence-based treatment approach that utilizes medications
that block cravings and reduce withdrawal symptoms with counseling and
behavioral therapy. Since taking effect in October 2022, there has been
inconsistent reporting by state prisons and local jails, raising ques-
tions about how participation in the program varies by facility and the
processes that may be used to determine a person's eligibility and moni-
tor their progress.
This legislation amends the existing law's reporting requirements to
streamline the process and requires that annual reports include demo-
graphic information such as the race, ethnicity, gender and age of
program participants. Under this legislation, the reports must also
Include much more information on the details of the MAT program. With
comprehensive reporting, we can evaluate this program and make changes
as needed. New York State remains the largest state in the nation to
offer MAT at every correctional facility and it is important that indi-
viduals in need of treatment have the same access to care at every
correctional facility.
 
PRIOR LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:
New bill.
 
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS:
None to the State.
 
EFFECTIVE DATE:
Immediately.

Statutes affected:
S5317: 626 correction law, 626(3) correction law, 19.07 mental hygiene law