S T A T E   O F   N E W   Y O R K
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                                   76

                       2015-2016 Regular Sessions

                          I N  A S S E M B L Y

                               (PREFILED)

                             January 7, 2015
                               ___________

Introduced  by  M.  of  A.  SIMANOWITZ -- Multi-Sponsored by -- M. of A.
  CROUCH -- read once and referred to  the  Committee  on  Children  and
  Families

AN  ACT  to amend the social services law, in relation to providing drug
  rehabilitative services to parents of a newborn who tests positive for
  alcohol and/or controlled substances; to amend the public health  law,
  in  relation  to  providing  for  testing  of  newborns for alcohol or
  controlled substances; and to amend the family court act, in  relation
  to the admissibility of laboratory tests showing usage of a controlled
  substance  and referring certain alcohol and substance abusers to drug
  treatment court

  THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK, REPRESENTED IN SENATE AND  ASSEM-
BLY, DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS:

  Section  1. Subdivision 2 of section 422 of the social services law is
amended by adding a new paragraph (d) to read as follows:
  (D) WHENEVER A TELEPHONE CALL OR REPORT HAS BEEN RECEIVED BY THE STATE
CENTRAL REGISTER ABOUT A CASE OF SUSPECTED CHILD ABUSE  OR  MALTREATMENT
FROM  AN  ATTENDING  PHYSICIAN BECAUSE A NEWBORN HAS TESTED POSITIVE FOR
ALCOHOL AND/OR FOR A CONTROLLED SUBSTANCE AS DEFINED IN SECTION  THIRTY-
THREE  HUNDRED SIX OF THE PUBLIC HEALTH LAW AND THAT SUCH POSITIVE TOXI-
COLOGY WAS CONFIRMED BY A SECOND TEST, THE LOCAL DISTRICT SHALL  CONDUCT
AN  INVESTIGATION  OF  THE SUBJECT OF THE REPORT. FURTHERMORE, THE LOCAL
DISTRICT SHALL INVESTIGATE THE HOME IN WHICH THE NEWBORN  IS  TO  RESIDE
WITH  THE  CUSTODIAL  PARENT  IN  ORDER  TO  ASSESS  WHETHER SUCH LIVING
ARRANGEMENTS WILL IMPAIR THE CHILD OR PLACE THE CHILD AT  IMMINENT  RISK
OF  IMPAIRMENT  PURSUANT  TO PARAGRAPH (A) OF SUBDIVISION TWO OF SECTION
FOUR HUNDRED TWELVE OF THIS TITLE AND SUBDIVISION  (F)  OF  SECTION  ONE
THOUSAND  TWELVE  OF  THE  FAMILY  COURT  ACT. THE LOCAL SOCIAL SERVICES
COMMISSIONER SHALL IN WRITING INFORM THE SUBJECT OF SUCH CENTRAL  REGIS-
TER REPORT ABOUT THE AVAILABILITY OF DRUG AND/OR ALCOHOL SUBSTANCE ABUSE

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

                                                           LBD00476-01-5

A. 76                               2

TREATMENT PROGRAMS, AND INTENSIVE CAREGIVER REHABILITATION SERVICES THAT
MAY  BE PROVIDED. THE LOCAL SOCIAL SERVICES DISTRICT OR THE HOSPITAL, AS
DEFINED IN ARTICLE TWENTY-EIGHT OF THE PUBLIC HEALTH LAW, MAY, IF APPRO-
PRIATE,  MAKE ARRANGEMENTS FOR THE ADMISSION OF THE CARETAKER PARENT AND
CHILD OR CHILDREN INTO  A  RESIDENTIAL  TREATMENT  PROGRAM  OR  INTO  AN
OUT-PATIENT TREATMENT PROGRAM PURSUANT TO SECTION FOUR HUNDRED NINE-A OF
THIS ARTICLE.  THE SUBJECT OF A REPORT PURSUANT TO THIS SECTION SHALL BE
INFORMED  IN WRITING BY THE LOCAL COMMISSIONER OF SOCIAL SERVICES OF THE
POSSIBLE CIVIL CONSEQUENCES OF FAILING TO PARTICIPATE  AND  COMPLY  WITH
THE REQUIREMENTS OF A SUBSTANCE ABUSE TREATMENT PROGRAM.
  S  2.  Paragraph  (a)  of subdivision 5 of section 409-a of the social
services law, as added by chapter 610 of the laws of 1979 and as  desig-
nated by chapter 731 of the laws of 1989, such subdivision as renumbered
by chapter 465 of the laws of 1987, is amended to read as follows:
  (a)  Regulations  of  the  department, promulgated pursuant to and not
inconsistent with this section, shall contain program standards  includ-
ing,  but  not limited to: specification of services to be classified as
preventive services,  WHICH  SHALL  INCLUDE  SUBSTANCE  ABUSE  TREATMENT
SERVICES PROVIDED TO A PREGNANT WOMAN OR A CARETAKER PERSON; appropriate
circumstances  and  conditions for the provision of particular services;
appropriate providers and recipients of such services; and time  limits,
as  may  be  appropriate, for the provision of particular services.  The
department shall, subject to the approval of the director of the budget,
establish reimbursement or charge limitations for particular services or
groups of services to be provided.  The department shall also promulgate
regulations to prevent  social  services  districts  from  overutilizing
particular  forms  or  types  of  preventive  services  and to encourage
districts to provide balanced preventive services programs based on  the
identified needs of children and families residing in such districts.
  S 3. Section 423 of the social services law is amended by adding a new
subdivision 7 to read as follows:
  7.  (A)  SUBJECT  TO  THE  AMOUNTS  ANNUALLY APPROPRIATED SPECIFICALLY
THEREFOR, THE COMMISSIONER OF CHILDREN AND FAMILY SERVICES IS AUTHORIZED
TO AWARD GRANTS TO NOT-FOR-PROFIT ORGANIZATIONS WHICH MAY, TO THE EXTENT
PRACTICABLE, BE COMMUNITY-BASED AND/OR CONSORTIA OF  ORGANIZATIONS  WITH
COMMUNITY  ADVISORY  BOARDS.  SUCH ORGANIZATIONS SHALL CREATE OR ENHANCE
CAREGIVER REHABILITATION SERVICES THAT PROVIDE AN ALCOHOL  OR  SUBSTANCE
ABUSING  PREGNANT  WOMAN  OR  A CARETAKER PERSON WITH RESIDENTIAL AND/OR
OUT-PATIENT TREATMENT SERVICES, INCLUDING COUNSELING,  PARENTING  SKILLS
AND  INTENSIVE  CASE  MONITORING.  CAREGIVER REHABILITATION SERVICES MAY
PROVIDE SUCH ELIGIBLE PERSONS WITH AN OPPORTUNITY TO  RECEIVE  INTENSIVE
REHABILITATION   TREATMENT   AND  INTENSIVE  CASE  MANAGEMENT  SPECIALLY
TAILORED TO ACCOMMODATE THE NEEDS OF EXPECTANT  MOTHERS  AND  CAREGIVERS
WITH CHILDREN.
  (B)  LOCAL  SOCIAL  SERVICES  DISTRICTS  SHALL  MAKE  THE PROVISION OF
SUBSTANCE ABUSE TREATMENT SERVICES TO A PREGNANT WOMAN  OR  A  CARETAKER
PERSON A PRIORITY WHENEVER SUCH PERSON IS THE SUBJECT OF A REPORT TO THE
CENTRAL  REGISTER  PURSUANT  TO  SECTION FOUR HUNDRED TWENTY-TWO OF THIS
TITLE. SUCH SUBSTANCE ABUSE TREATMENT PROGRAMS SHALL BE CALLED INTENSIVE
CAREGIVER REHABILITATION SERVICES.  THE  INTENSIVE  CAREGIVER  REHABILI-
TATION  SERVICES PROGRAM MAY BE PROVIDED TO ELIGIBLE PERSONS PURSUANT TO
THIS SECTION IN ORDER TO PERMIT A CHILD TO BE PLACED  WITH  THE  CHILD'S
PARENT IN A RESIDENTIAL PROGRAM THAT PROVIDES TREATMENT AND OTHER NECES-
SARY  SERVICES FOR PARENTS AND CHILDREN, INCLUDING COUNSELING, PARENTING
SERVICES AND INTENSIVE CASE MONITORING WHEN:

A. 76                               3

  (I) THE PARENT OR CAREGIVER IS  ATTEMPTING  TO  OVERCOME  A  SUBSTANCE
ABUSE PROBLEM AND IS COMPLYING WITH AN APPROVED TREATMENT PLAN;
  (II) THE SAFETY OF THE CHILD CAN BE ASSURED;
  (III)  THE  RANGE  OF  SERVICES PROVIDED BY THE PROGRAM IS DESIGNED TO
APPROPRIATELY ADDRESS THE NEEDS OF THE PARENT AND CHILD; AND
  (IV) THE GOAL OF THE CASE PLAN FOR THE CHILD IS EITHER TO  PREVENT  AN
OUT  OF  HOME  PLACEMENT OR TO TRY TO REUNIFY THE CHILD WITH THE FAMILY.
OUT-PATIENT SERVICES SHALL ALSO BE MADE AVAILABLE BY  THE  LOCAL  SOCIAL
SERVICES  DISTRICT  TO THOSE PREGNANT WOMEN AND CAREGIVERS WHOSE CIRCUM-
STANCES PREVENT THEM FROM ENROLLING IN A RESIDENTIAL  TREATMENT  PROGRAM
BUT  WHO  ARE  SEEKING INTENSIVE CAREGIVER REHABILITATION SERVICES IN AN
EFFORT TO ELIMINATE THEIR ADDICTION WHILE PRESERVING THEIR FAMILIES.
  (C) THE INTENSIVE CAREGIVER REHABILITATION SERVICES PROGRAM SHALL HAVE
A CASEWORKER TO CLIENT RATIO WHICH SHALL NOT EXCEED THE  STAFFING  LEVEL
WHICH  IS  DEEMED TO BE APPROPRIATE BY THE OFFICE OF CHILDREN AND FAMILY
SERVICES.  INTENSIVE TREATMENT SERVICES SHALL BE  PROVIDED  TO  ELIGIBLE
FAMILIES  FOR  NOT MORE THAN FORTY-FIVE DAYS FOR A RESIDENTIAL BASIS AND
NO MORE THAN NINETY DAYS FOR AN OUT-PATIENT BASIS; AND, WEEKLY FOLLOW-UP
SERVICES SHALL BE PROVIDED FOR A PERIOD OF NOT MORE THAN SIX  MONTHS  AS
DETERMINED  ON A CASE-BY-CASE BASIS. PROVIDED, HOWEVER, THAT SUCH INTEN-
SIVE TREATMENT SERVICES, BOTH RESIDENTIAL AND OUT-PATIENT, AND THE WEEK-
LY FOLLOW-UP SERVICES MAY BE EXTENDED AS NEEDED ON A CASE-BY-CASE  BASIS
FOR UP TO ONE YEAR.
  S  4.  The public health law is amended by adding a new section 2500-l
to read as follows:
  S 2500-L. ALCOHOL AND SUBSTANCE ABUSE;  SCREENING  AND/OR  TESTING  OF
NEWBORNS.  1. THE COMMISSIONER SHALL ESTABLISH A PROGRAM FOR THE SCREEN-
ING AND/OR  TESTING  OF  NEWBORNS  FOR  EXPOSURE  TO  ALCOHOL  AND/OR  A
CONTROLLED SUBSTANCE, INCLUDING EXPOSURE WHICH RESULTS FROM THE ABUSE OF
PRESCRIPTION DRUGS.
  2.  THE COMMISSIONER SHALL, NO LATER THAN ONE YEAR AFTER THE EFFECTIVE
DATE OF THIS SECTION, PROMULGATE RULES AND REGULATIONS  TO  ESTABLISH  A
HOSPITAL  PROTOCOL  TO  IMPLEMENT  THE  PROGRAM  ESTABLISHED PURSUANT TO
SUBDIVISION ONE OF THIS SECTION. SUCH PROTOCOL SHALL INCLUDE THE  ADMIN-
ISTRATION OF SCREENING, TESTING, REVIEW PROCESSES, COUNSELING AND REFER-
RALS  FOR  ALCOHOL  AND SUBSTANCE ABUSE TREATMENT.  SUCH PROTOCOLS SHALL
DETAIL THE PRESENTING OF MEDICAL CONDITIONS, CRITERIA OR SYMPTOMS  WHICH
REQUIRE THE RESPONSIBLE PHYSICIAN OR BIRTH ATTENDANT TO SCREEN, TEST AND
INITIATE  A  REVIEW  PROCESS FOR EXPOSURE TO ALCOHOL AND/OR A CONTROLLED
SUBSTANCE AS DEFINED IN SECTION THIRTY-THREE HUNDRED SIX OF  THIS  CHAP-
TER.  SUCH PROTOCOLS SHALL NOT RELY ON THE EXPECTANT MOTHER'S AGE, RACE,
MARITAL STATUS, SOURCE OF INCOME, RESIDENCE, INSURANCE PROVIDER,  EDUCA-
TIONAL  LEVEL, OCCUPATION, PLACE OF EMPLOYMENT OR PROFESSION WHEN DETER-
MINING WHETHER OR NOT TO TEST A NEWBORN FOR EXPOSURE TO ALCOHOL AND/OR A
CONTROLLED SUBSTANCE.   SUCH  PROTOCOL  SHALL  REQUIRE  THAT:  (A)  EACH
SCREENING FOR ALCOHOL AND/OR DRUGS BE SUBJECTED TO A SECOND CONFIRMATORY
TEST  BEFORE  AN INCIDENT REPORT MAY BE FILED WITH THE STATEWIDE CENTRAL
REGISTER OF CHILD ABUSE AND MALTREATMENT PURSUANT TO  PARAGRAPH  (D)  OF
SUBDIVISION  TWO  OF  SECTION  FOUR  HUNDRED  TWENTY-TWO  OF  THE SOCIAL
SERVICES LAW; (B) THAT A MEDICAL REVIEW OFFICER INTERVIEW THE  EXPECTANT
OR  POSTPARTUM  WOMAN  RELATIVE  TO  A POSITIVE TOXICOLOGY REPORT ON HER
NEWBORN; AND (C) EACH HOSPITAL COLLECT  BLIND  DATA  ON  THE  SCREENING,
TESTING  AND  TREATMENT  REFERRALS,  WHEN  APPROPRIATE,  TO  FAMILIES OF
NEWBORNS.
  3. COMMENCING ON THE FIRST OF JANUARY  NEXT  SUCCEEDING  THE  DATE  ON
WHICH  RULES AND REGULATIONS HAVE BEEN FILED WITH THE SECRETARY OF STATE

A. 76                               4

TO IMPLEMENT THIS SECTION, THE COMMISSIONER SHALL BIENNIALLY  PREPARE  A
REPORT NO LATER THAN THE FIFTEENTH OF DECEMBER OF EACH YEAR. SUCH REPORT
SHALL  EVALUATE  THE EFFECTIVENESS OF THE ALCOHOL AND DRUG SCREENING AND
TESTING POLICY AND PROTOCOL ESTABLISHED BY THIS SUBDIVISION. SUCH REPORT
SHALL  INCLUDE,  BUT  NOT  BE  LIMITED  TO  THE FOLLOWING: THE NUMBER OF
NEWBORNS SCREENED FOR EXPOSURE TO ALCOHOL OR A CONTROLLED  SUBSTANCE  BY
AGE,  RACE,  COLOR,  ETHNICITY,  SOCIO-ECONOMIC  STATUS, TYPE OF MEDICAL
INSURANCE, AND ZIP CODE; THE NUMBER OF SCREENS WHICH RESULTED IN A POSI-
TIVE TOXICOLOGY; THE NUMBER OF SCREENS WHICH WERE THEN  SUBJECTED  TO  A
SECOND  CONFIRMATORY  TEST;  THE  NUMBER  OF  FALSE  POSITIVE TOXICOLOGY
REPORTS; THE NUMBER OF PHYSICIAN REPORTS TO THE STATE  CENTRAL  REGISTER
FOR CHILD ABUSE AND MALTREATMENT OF A POSITIVE TOXICOLOGY WHICH HAS BEEN
CONFIRMED  AND  REVIEWED;  THE  NUMBER OF WOMEN ADMITTED TO AN INTENSIVE
CAREGIVER REHABILITATIVE SERVICES PROGRAM AS A RESULT OF HOSPITAL INTER-
VENTION; THE NUMBER OF ALCOHOL AND DRUG SCREENS PERFORMED AT A HOSPITAL.
  S 5. Paragraphs (vii) and (viii) of subdivision (a) of section 1046 of
the family court act, paragraph (vii) as amended by chapter 432  of  the
laws  of  1993 and paragraph (viii) as added by chapter 1015 of the laws
of 1972, are amended and a new  paragraph  (ix)  is  added  to  read  as
follows:
  (vii)  neither  the privilege attaching to confidential communications
between husband and wife, as set forth in section forty-five hundred two
of the civil practice law  and  rules,  nor  the  physician-patient  and
related  privileges,  as set forth in section forty-five hundred four of
the civil practice law and rules, nor the psychologist-client privilege,
as set forth in section forty-five hundred seven of the  civil  practice
law  and  rules, nor the social worker-client privilege, as set forth in
section forty-five hundred eight of the civil practice  law  and  rules,
nor  the rape crisis counselor-client privilege, as set forth in section
forty-five hundred ten of the civil practice law and rules, shall  be  a
ground  for  excluding  evidence which otherwise would be admissible[.];
AND
  (viii) proof of the "impairment of emotional health" or "impairment of
mental or emotional condition" as  a  result  of  the  unwillingness  or
inability  of the respondent to exercise a minimum degree of care toward
a child may include  competent  opinion  or  expert  testimony  and  may
include  proof  that  such  impairment lessened during a period when the
child was in the care, custody or supervision  of  a  person  or  agency
other than the respondent[.]; AND
  (IX)  THE  RESULTS  OF  ANY  LABORATORY  TEST  SHOWING  THE USAGE OF A
CONTROLLED SUBSTANCE BY, OR THE PRESENCE OF A CONTROLLED SUBSTANCE IN, A
PARENT, CHILD OR OTHER PERSON SHALL BE ADMISSIBLE ONLY IF:
  (A) SUCH TEST WAS CONDUCTED BY A LABORATORY THAT HAS MET THE  REQUIRE-
MENTS  ESTABLISHED  BY  SECTION  FIVE HUNDRED SEVENTY-FIVE OF THE PUBLIC
HEALTH LAW; AND
  (B) THE LABORATORY AND THE PERSON OR INSTITUTION COLLECTING THE SAMPLE
HAS ESTABLISHED A CHAIN OF CUSTODY PROCEDURE FOR SAMPLE  COLLECTING  AND
TESTING  THAT  WILL  VERIFY THE IDENTITY OF EACH SAMPLE AND TEST RESULT;
AND
  (C) THE COLLECTING ENTITY DIVIDES THE SAMPLE COLLECTED, IF  SUFFICIENT
INTO TWO SEPARATE CONTAINERS AND PRESERVES ONE SAMPLE IN A SECURE FREEZ-
ER IN SUCH A WAY THAT IT CAN BE LATER TESTED FOR THE PRESENCE OF ALCOHOL
OR CONTROLLED SUBSTANCES; AND
  (D)  THE  SAMPLE  IS RETESTED TO CONFIRM THE RESULTS OF THE FIRST TEST
AND WHICH PROVIDES QUANTITATIVE DATA ABOUT THE  DETECTED  DRUG  OR  DRUG
METABOLITES; AND

A. 76                               5

  (E)  THE  RESULTS  INCLUDE THE TYPE OF TESTS CONDUCTED, THE RESULTS OF
EACH TEST, AND THE DETECTION LEVEL, MEANING THE CUTOFF OR  MEASURE  USED
TO DISTINGUISH POSITIVE FROM NEGATIVE SAMPLES.
  S  6.  Section 1051 of the family court act is amended by adding a new
subdivision (g) to read as follows:
  (G) WHERE THE COURT MAKES A FINDING OF NEGLECT OR ABUSE AND FINDS THAT
THE PARENT OR OTHER PERSON LEGALLY RESPONSIBLE FOR THE CHILD  MISUSES  A
DRUG  OR DRUGS OR ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES, THE COURT MAY REFER THE CASE TO A
PART OF THE COURT KNOWN AS THE "DRUG TREATMENT COURT". THE  DRUG  TREAT-
MENT  COURT  MAY  REQUIRE  THAT THE RESPONDENT MEET WITH A CASE MANAGER,
COMPLY WITH A TREATMENT PLAN, AND SUBMIT  TO  OVERSIGHT  BY  THE  COURT,
INCLUDING  REGULAR  DRUG TESTING. THE DRUG TREATMENT COURT SHALL PROVIDE
FOR  SPEEDY  ENROLLMENT  OF  RESPONDENTS  INTO   APPROPRIATE   TREATMENT
PROGRAMS,  FREQUENT  AND  CONSISTENT MONITORING OF RESPONDENTS INCLUDING
REWARDING OF GOOD BEHAVIOR AND PENALIZING OF POOR  BEHAVIOR,  AND  EXPE-
DITED DECISION MAKING.
  S 7. This act shall take effect on the one hundred eightieth day after
it shall have become a law.