BILL NUMBER:S6174

TITLE OF BILL:
An act
to amend the mental hygiene law, in relation to requiring the office of
alcoholism and substance abuse services to develop training materials
for health care providers and qualified health professionals to
encourage implementation of the screening, brief intervention, and
referral to treatment program

PURPOSE OR GENERAL IDEA OF BILL:
This bill supports the expansion of
the Screening, Brief Intervention, and Referral to Treatment Program
(SBIRT) beyond hospital emergency rooms by making available training
materials that should help to educate health care providers and
qualified health professionals on how to correctly administer SBIRT.

SUMMARY OF SPECIFIC PROVISIONS:
This legislation requires the office
of alcoholism and substance abuse services to develop training
materials for screening for alcoholism and chemical dependency.

JUSTIFICATION:
Screening, brief intervention and referral to treatment
(SBIRT) is an evidence-based practice model which is proven to be
successful in modifying behavioral patterns with at-risk substance
              

users and in identifying individuals who are in need of more
extensive, specialized treatment. The implementation of SBIRT in
primary health care settings (hospitals, outpatient clinics and
private physician offices) will allow for the early detection of
risky alcohol and drug use. Applied as a comprehensive, integrated,
public health approach, it can result in early intervention which
could help to avert the serious and costly health consequences of
undetected substance abuse.

The 2011-2012 New York State Enacted Budget included a proposal that
will expand the use of SHIRT for alcohol/drug abuse beyond the
emergency room setting. According to the Medicaid Redesign Team, New
York State will realize a savings of $850,000 in the 2011-2012 State
Fiscal Year (SFY) with state savings in the SFY 2012-2013 and in the
outlying years increasing to $1.7 million.

The expansion of SBIRT beyond the emergency room will require health
care professionals to learn a new set of skills and become familiar
with new administrative processes. Training will help to ensure the
effective implementation of SHIRT in primary care settings.

PRIOR LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:
New Bill.

FISCAL IMPLICATIONS:
Undetermined.

EFFECTIVE DATE:
This act shall take effect immediately.