New York S 4871: Relates to the duties of the independent developmental disability ombudsperson program

Bill Text

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S04871 Summary:

BILL NOS04871B

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SAME ASSAME AS A07465-B

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SPONSORFAHY

&nbsp

COSPNSRASHBY, WEBER

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MLTSPNSR

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Amd §33.28, Ment Hyg L

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Directs the independent developmental disability ombudsperson 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 ombudsperson 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.

Go to top S04871 Actions:

BILL NOS04871B

&nbsp

02/13/2025REFERRED TO DISABILITIES

03/04/2025REPORTED AND COMMITTED TO FINANCE

05/28/20251ST REPORT CAL.1355

05/29/20252ND REPORT CAL.

06/04/2025ADVANCED TO THIRD READING 

06/10/2025PASSED SENATE

06/10/2025DELIVERED TO ASSEMBLY

06/10/2025referred to people with disabilities

01/07/2026died in assembly

01/07/2026returned to senate

01/07/2026REFERRED TO DISABILITIES

01/21/2026AMEND AND RECOMMIT TO DISABILITIES

01/21/2026PRINT NUMBER 4871A

02/20/2026AMEND AND RECOMMIT TO DISABILITIES

02/20/2026PRINT NUMBER 4871B

05/11/2026REPORTED AND COMMITTED TO FINANCE

Go to topS04871 Committee&nbspVotes:

Go to topS04871 Floor&nbspVotes:

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

Go to topS04871 Text:

 STATE OF NEW YORK
 ________________________________________________________________________

 4871--B

 2025-2026 Regular Sessions

 IN SENATE

 February 13, 2025
 ___________

 Introduced by Sens. FAHY, WEBER -- read twice and ordered printed, and
 when printed to be committed to the Committee on Disabilities --
 recommitted to the Committee on Disabilities in accordance with Senate
 Rule 6, sec. 8 -- committee discharged, bill amended, ordered
 reprinted as amended and recommitted to said committee -- committee
 discharged, bill amended, ordered reprinted as amended and recommitted
 to said committee

 AN ACT to amend the mental hygiene law, in relation to the duties of the
 independent developmental disability ombudsperson program

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

 1 Section 1. Section 33.28 of the mental hygiene law, as added by
 2 section 1 of part KK of chapter 57 of the laws of 2023, is amended to
 3 read as follows:
 4 § 33.28 Independent developmental disability [ombudsman] ombudsperson
 5 program.
 6 (a) There is hereby established by the office for people with develop-
 7 mental disabilities the independent developmental disability [ombudsman]
 8 ombudsperson program for the purpose of assisting individuals with
 9 developmental disabilities to ensure access by such individuals to
 10 services and to preserve their rights.
 11 (b) Such [ombudsman] ombudsperson program shall have the following
 12 duties, including, but not limited to:
 13 1. establishing a service delivery structure based in New York state
 14 that includes a toll-free telephone hotline, an interactive website, and
 15 availability of in-person, telephone and email access to ombudsperson
 16 program staff or volunteers;
 17 2. identifying, investigating, referring and resolving complaints that
 18 are made by, or on behalf of individuals relative to access to services
 19 provided by the office for people with developmental disabilities or
 20 care coordination or other providers certified and/or authorized by the

 EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
 [ ] is old law to be omitted.
 LBD09535-05-6

 S. 4871--B 2

 1 office to provide services to people with developmental disabilities[,
 2 and access to initial and continuing intellectual and developmental
 3 disability services and supports];
 4 3. providing assistance for navigating and completing processes, such
 5 as paperwork and documentation, to access services provided by the
 6 office for people with developmental disab