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

                                  6640

                            I N  S E N A T E

                              March 7, 2012
                               ___________

Introduced  by  Sens.  DeFRANCISCO,  CARLUCCI  -- read twice and ordered
  printed, and when printed to be committed to the Committee  on  Veter-
  ans, Homeland Security and Military Affairs

AN ACT to amend the executive law, in relation to enacting the "Veterans
  Mental Health and Chemical Dependency Act"

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

  Section 1. Legislative findings and intent. The legislature recognizes
that throughout their service, many of the military personnel  from  New
York state experienced trauma during active duty, especially in Iraq and
Afghanistan, placing many of them in high risk categories for triggering
substance  abuse  or  mental  health issues. More often than not, mental
illness and substance abuse present themselves simultaneously  or  as  a
co-occurring  disorder.  The  consequences  of  co-occurring  disorders,
particularly when untreated or poorly treated, are severe. These  disor-
ders  increase  the  cost of healthcare due to the frequent use of inpa-
tient treatment, the inability to adhere to such treatment, the risk  of
suicide, crime victimization, homelessness, and incarceration.
  The  legislature  further  finds that the unemployment rate and fierce
competition for a sparse selection  of  jobs  contribute  to  the  tough
obstacle that combat veterans face as they make the transition home from
war.
  The  legislature  further finds that New York state has recognized its
responsibility for care for our veterans and their families, offering an
array of economic and health benefits.  Now we are called to ensure that
the returning combat veterans can obtain  the  benefits  that  they  are
entitled  to  from  the  various  state agencies which offer help to the
returning servicemen and women to  make  the  transition  from  military
personnel to veteran.
  S  2.  Short  title.   This act shall be known as the "Veterans Mental
Health and Chemical Dependency Act".
  S 3. Section 352 of the executive law is amended  by  adding  two  new
subdivisions 6 and 7 to read as follows:

 EXPLANATION--Matter in ITALICS (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
                      [ ] is old law to be omitted.
                                                           LBD03276-03-2
              

S. 6640                             2

  6.  THE  COMMISSION SHALL DEVELOP AND UPDATE, IN CONSULTATION WITH THE
OFFICE OF MENTAL HEALTH, THE OFFICE OF ALCOHOLISM  AND  SUBSTANCE  ABUSE
SERVICES, DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND DEPARTMENT OF LABOR, A NEW YORK STATE
INTERAGENCY  PLAN TO IMPROVE OUTREACH, ASSESSMENT, AND CARE FOR VETERANS
AND  THEIR FAMILIES WHO ARE EXPERIENCING MENTAL HEALTH, MAJOR DEPRESSION
AND/OR SUBSTANCE ABUSE PROBLEMS. THE PLAN WOULD ADDRESS THE NEED  FOR  A
RANGE OF ADDITIONAL SERVICES, INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO:
  A.  THE  NEED FOR HOUSING THAT IS ACCESSIBLE TO VETERANS WITH PHYSICAL
AND/OR MENTAL DISABILITIES;
  B. SUICIDE PREVENTION;
  C. SERVICES THAT ADDRESS THE SPECIAL NEEDS OF FEMALE  SERVICE  MEMBERS
OR VETERANS;
  D.  SERVICES  THAT  ADDRESS  THE  SPECIAL NEEDS OF PHYSICALLY DISABLED
VETERANS;
  E. PEER OUTREACH AND SUPPORT PROGRAMS;
  F. SERVICES TO MEET THE EMOTIONAL NEEDS OF  CHILDREN,  SPOUSE,  AND/OR
DOMESTIC PARTNER OF SERVICE MEMBERS OR VETERANS;
  G. SERVICES AND CONSULTATION FOR VETERANS IN SEARCH OF EMPLOYMENT; AND
  H. ACCESSIBILITY AND COORDINATION OF INFORMATION.
  7.  THE  COMMISSION  SHALL  SUBMIT  A REPORT TO THE DIRECTOR EACH YEAR
AFTER THE EFFECTIVE  DATE  OF  THIS  SUBDIVISION.    SUCH  REPORT  SHALL
INCLUDE, BUT NOT BE LIMITED TO, A DESCRIPTION OF THE COMMISSION'S ACTIV-
ITIES CONCERNING THE NEW YORK STATE INTERAGENCY PLAN. THE DIRECTOR SHALL
SUBMIT  SUCH  REPORT  OR  A  SYNOPSIS  OF SUCH REPORT TO THE GOVERNOR AS
PROVIDED IN SECTION THREE HUNDRED FIFTY-THREE OF THIS ARTICLE.
  S 4. This act shall take effect on the thirtieth day  after  it  shall
have become a law, however, the first New York state interagency plan as
described in subdivision 6 of section 352 of the executive law, as added
by section three of this act, shall be completed not later than one year
after such effective date.