New York A 5020: Establishes a co-navigation services program for persons who are deaf-blind

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A05020 Summary:

BILL NOA05020 

&nbsp

SAME ASSAME AS S03743

&nbsp

SPONSORZinerman

&nbsp

COSPNSRCunningham, Epstein, Fitzpatrick, Gonzalez-Rojas, Mamdani, Seawright, Simon, Hevesi, Shimsky,
 Alvarez, Steck, Clark

&nbsp

MLTSPNSR

&nbsp

Add §152-e, Soc Serv L

&nbsp

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 A05020 Actions:

BILL NOA05020 

&nbsp

02/10/2025referred to social services

01/07/2026referred to social services

Go to topA05020 Committee&nbspVotes:

Go to topA05020 Floor&nbspVotes:

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

Go to topA05020 Text:

 STATE OF NEW YORK
 ________________________________________________________________________

 5020

 2025-2026 Regular Sessions

 IN ASSEMBLY

 February 10, 2025
 ___________

 Introduced by M. of A. ZINERMAN, CUNNINGHAM, EPSTEIN, FITZPATRICK,
 GONZALEZ-ROJAS, MAMDANI, SEAWRIGHT, SIMON -- read once and referred 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

 A. 5020 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 communication modes for persons who are deaf-
 19 blind and in sighted guide-mobility techniques; and
 20 (b) fluency and skill in communication modes and sighted guide-mobili-
 21 ty for persons who are deaf-bli