New York S 3743: Establishes a co-navigation services program for persons who are deaf-blind

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S03743 Summary:

BILL NOS03743 

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SAME ASSAME AS A05020

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SPONSORCLEARE

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COSPNSRBROUK, COONEY, FAHY, FERNANDEZ, GALLIVAN, GONZALEZ, GOUNARDES, HOYLMAN-SIGAL, JACKSON, MARTINS,
 MAY, PALUMBO, RAMOS, RHOADS, SANDERS, STAVISKY, WEIK

&nbsp

MLTSPNSR

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Add §152-e, Soc Serv L

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Establishes a co-navigation services program for persons who are deaf-blind to provide services to a person who is deaf-blind that assist the person to physically access the person's environment and to make informed decisions, including providing visual and environmental information or sighted guide services and assisting with communication accessibility by communicating in the preferred language and communication mode of the person who is deaf-blind.

Go to top S03743 Actions:

BILL NOS03743 

&nbsp

01/29/2025REFERRED TO SOCIAL SERVICES

05/20/20251ST REPORT CAL.1168

05/21/20252ND REPORT CAL.

05/22/2025ADVANCED TO THIRD READING 

06/13/2025COMMITTED TO RULES

01/07/2026REFERRED TO SOCIAL SERVICES

Go to topS03743 Committee&nbspVotes:

Go to topS03743 Floor&nbspVotes:

There are no Assembly votes for this bill in this legislative session.

Go to topS03743 Text:

 STATE OF NEW YORK
 ________________________________________________________________________

 3743

 2025-2026 Regular Sessions

 IN SENATE

 January 29, 2025
 ___________

 Introduced by Sens. CLEARE, BROUK, COONEY, GONZALEZ, GOUNARDES, HOYL-
 MAN-SIGAL, MARTINS, MAY, RAMOS, SANDERS, STAVISKY -- read twice and
 ordered printed, and when printed to be committed to the Committee on
 Social Services

 AN ACT to amend the social services law, in relation to establishing a
 co-navigation services program for persons who are deaf-blind

 The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assem-
 bly, do enact as follows:

 1 Section 1. The social services law is amended by adding a new section
 2 152-e to read as follows:
 3 § 152-e. Co-navigation services program for persons who are deaf-
 4 blind. 1. As used in this section, the following terms shall have the
 5 following meanings:
 6 (a) "Communication mode" includes communication through:
 7 (i) auditory amplification, such as through a personal hearing aid or
 8 assistive listening device;
 9 (ii) American Sign Language or Signed English by both tactile and
 10 visual means; and
 11 (iii) protactile language.
 12 (b) "Co-navigation services" means services provided to a person who
 13 is deaf-blind that assist the person to physically access the person's
 14 environment and to make informed decisions. The term includes providing
 15 visual and environmental information or sighted guide services and
 16 assisting with communication accessibility by communicating in the
 17 preferred language and communication mode of the person who is deaf-
 18 blind. The term does not include performing any of the following for the
 19 person:
 20 (i) providing personal care services to the person;
 21 (ii) completing ordinary errands for the person;
 22 (iii) making decisions for the person;
 23 (iv) teaching or otherwise instructing the person; or

 EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
 [ ] is old law to be omitted.
 LBD08090-01-5

 S. 3743 2

 1 (v) interpreting for the person in a formal setting, including a
 2 medical, legal, or business setting.
 3 (c) "Co-navigator" means a person who is specially trained to provide
 4 co-navigation services.
 5 (d) "Program" means the deaf-blind co-navigation services program.
 6 (e) "Protactile language" means a method of communication based on
 7 touch that is used by persons who are deaf-blind.
 8 2. Notwithstanding any inconsistent provision of law, a social
 9 services district shall, in accordance with the provisions of this
 10 section and regulations of the department, offer and provide a co-navi-
 11 gation services program through which:
 12 (a) co-navigation services are provided by co-navigators; and
 13 (b) the social services district reimburses the co-navigators for the
 14 provision of the services from funds appropriated therefor.
 15 3. The commissioner shall establish reimbursement rates to be paid to
 16 a co-navigator under the program. The reimbursement rates shall use a
 17 tiered wage scale that is based on the co-navigator's:
 18 (a) level of training in comm