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

                                 1582--A

                       2013-2014 Regular Sessions

                            I N  S E N A T E

                               (PREFILED)

                             January 9, 2013
                               ___________

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

AN  ACT to amend the executive law, in relation to creating the New York
  autism spectrum disorders treatment, training and research council and
  providing for the powers and duties of the council

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

  Section  1.  Intent.  The  legislature  hereby finds and declares that
autism spectrum disorders, hereinafter ASDs, currently  affect  approxi-
mately  one  in  110 children and are considered to be an "urgent public
health concern" by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
  The legislature further finds that New York state  has  not  responded
sufficiently  to  this  crisis.  In  its 2010 report, the New York state
Interagency Task Force on Autism,  hereinafter  Task  Force,  identified
five  primary  needs  of  the  growing  population  of New York citizens
affected by ASDs: coordination of state services, early  identification,
lifelong  service  delivery, increased dissemination of information, and
coordination of research efforts. First, as a collaborative effort of 11
independent state agencies that each serve individuals impacted by ASDs,
the Task Force itself exemplifies the need for coordination of research,
treatment and training responsibilities. Second, while  the  Task  Force
determined  that  early  identification and intervention were crucial to
minimizing the symptoms and impact of ASDs, it reported that only  eight
percent  of pediatricians routinely screen for ASDs and approximately 30
percent of children with ASDs do  not  receive  the  early  intervention
services  provided  by  the  New York State Department of Health. Third,
recognizing that the thousands of children diagnosed with ASDs will soon

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

                                                           LBD02939-02-4

S. 1582--A                          2

age out of the state's educational system, the Task Force noted a dearth
of post-secondary training and transitional services. Fourth,  the  Task
Force  determined  that  individuals and families affected by ASDs would
benefit  from  a  centralized clearinghouse of relevant information, and
called for the provision of user-friendly access  to  such  information.
Finally,  the  Task  Force reported that collaboratively determining the
direction of future ASD research would best utilize available public and
private funding.
  The legislature therefore declares that there  is  a  need  to  expand
treatment,  training  and  research with regard to ASDs -- including the
enhancement of efforts to improve access to, and the efficacy of, needed
services, support and treatment.
  S 2. This act shall be known, and may  be  cited,  as  the  "New  York
autism spectrum disorders treatment, training and research act".
  S 3. The executive law is amended by adding a new article 41-A to read
as follows:
                              ARTICLE 41-A
                   NEW YORK AUTISM SPECTRUM DISORDERS
                TREATMENT, TRAINING AND RESEARCH COUNCIL
SECTION 908. DEFINITIONS.
        908-A.  NEW  YORK  AUTISM SPECTRUM DISORDERS TREATMENT, TRAINING
                 AND RESEARCH COUNCIL; PURPOSE AND ORGANIZATION.
        908-B. FUNCTIONS, POWERS AND DUTIES OF THE COUNCIL.
  S 908. DEFINITIONS. WHEN USED IN THIS ARTICLE:
  1. "AUTISM SPECTRUM DISORDER" OR "ASD" MEANS A NEUROBIOLOGICAL  CONDI-
TION THAT INCLUDES AUTISM, ASPERGER SYNDROME, RETT'S SYNDROME, OR PERVA-
SIVE DEVELOPMENTAL DISORDER;
  2.  "FAMILY" MEANS THE PARENT OR LEGAL GUARDIAN OF AN INDIVIDUAL DIAG-
NOSED WITH AN AUTISM SPECTRUM DISORDER; AND
  3. "PATIENT" MEANS AN INDIVIDUAL DIAGNOSED  WITH  AN  AUTISM  SPECTRUM
DISORDER.
  S  908-A.  NEW  YORK AUTISM SPECTRUM DISORDERS TREATMENT, TRAINING AND
RESEARCH COUNCIL; PURPOSE AND ORGANIZATION. 1. THERE SHALL BE WITHIN THE
EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENT THE NEW YORK AUTISM SPECTRUM  DISORDERS  TREATMENT,
TRAINING AND RESEARCH COUNCIL, HEREINAFTER COUNCIL, WHOSE PURPOSES SHALL
BE TO:
  (A)  DEVELOP  A  COORDINATED  NEW YORK STATE AUTISM SPECTRUM DISORDERS
TREATMENT, TRAINING AND RESEARCH  POLICY  AND  PLAN,  HEREINAFTER  STATE
POLICY  AND  PLAN, WITH RESPECT TO THE PROVISION OF SERVICES TO PATIENTS
AND THEIR FAMILIES;
  (B) REVIEW STATE AGENCY INITIATIVES FOR  THEIR  CONSISTENCY  WITH  THE
STATE POLICY AND PLAN;
  (C)  PROVIDE A CONTINUING FORUM FOR DISCUSSION RELATED TO THE DEVELOP-
MENT AND IMPLEMENTATION OF THE STATE POLICY AND PLAN; AND
  (D) TAKE THE STEPS ENUMERATED HEREIN TO EXPAND AND  COORDINATE  TREAT-
MENT, TRAINING AND RESEARCH.
  2. THE COUNCIL SHALL BE COMPRISED OF TWENTY-EIGHT MEMBERS AS FOLLOWS:
  (A)  THE COMMISSIONER OF THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH, THE COMMISSIONER OF
THE DEPARTMENT OF LABOR, THE COMMISSIONER OF THE OFFICE OF CHILDREN  AND
FAMILY  SERVICES, THE COMMISSIONER OF EDUCATION, THE COMMISSIONER OF THE
OFFICE OF MENTAL HEALTH, THE COMMISSIONER OF THE OFFICE FOR PEOPLE  WITH
DEVELOPMENTAL  DISABILITIES, THE COMMISSIONER OF THE OFFICE OF TEMPORARY
AND DISABILITY ASSISTANCE, THE SUPERINTENDENT OF FINANCIAL SERVICES, THE
CHANCELLOR OF THE STATE UNIVERSITY OF NEW YORK, THE  CHANCELLOR  OF  THE
CITY  UNIVERSITY  OF  NEW YORK, THE CHAIR OF THE COUNCIL ON CHILDREN AND
FAMILIES, THE CHAIR OF THE COMMISSION ON QUALITY OF  CARE  AND  ADVOCACY

S. 1582--A                          3

FOR  PERSONS  WITH DISABILITIES, AND THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE DISA-
BILITIES PLANNING COUNCIL, ALL OF WHOM SHALL SERVE EX  OFFICIO  AND  WHO
MAY DESIGNATE REPRESENTATIVES TO ACT ON THEIR BEHALF;
  (B)  SEVEN MEMBERS APPOINTED BY THE GOVERNOR, WHO SHALL POSSESS EXPER-
TISE IN ASDS. AT LEAST TWO  APPOINTEES  SHALL  REPRESENT  NOT-FOR-PROFIT
ENTITIES  WITH  THE  PRIMARY  PURPOSE  OF PROVIDING ACCESS TO EDUCATION,
INFORMATION AND/OR SERVICES RELATED TO THE CARE OF PATIENTS; AND
  (C) EIGHT MEMBERS APPOINTED BY THE GOVERNOR ON THE  RECOMMENDATION  OF
THE LEGISLATIVE LEADERS AS FOLLOWS:
  (1)  THE  TEMPORARY  PRESIDENT  OF  THE  SENATE AND THE SPEAKER OF THE
ASSEMBLY SHALL EACH RECOMMEND THREE MEMBERS TO THE COUNCIL.  THE  TEMPO-
RARY  PRESIDENT OF THE SENATE AND THE SPEAKER OF THE ASSEMBLY SHALL EACH
RECOMMEND AT LEAST ONE CLINICAL OR RESEARCH EXPERT IN THE FIELD OF  ASDS
AND AT LEAST ONE FAMILY MEMBER OF A PATIENT; AND
  (2)  THE  MINORITY LEADER OF THE SENATE AND THE MINORITY LEADER OF THE
ASSEMBLY SHALL EACH RECOMMEND ONE MEMBER TO THE COUNCIL.
  3. VACANCIES IN THE MEMBERSHIP OF THE COUNCIL SHALL BE FILLED  IN  THE
MANNER PROVIDED FOR ORIGINAL APPOINTMENTS.
  4.  THE  COMMISSIONER OF THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND THE COMMISSIONER
OF THE OFFICE FOR PEOPLE WITH DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES SHALL SERVE, EX
OFFICIO, AS CO-CHAIRS OF THE COUNCIL. ADMINISTRATIVE DUTIES OF THE COUN-
CIL SHALL BE THE RESPONSIBILITY OF, AND EXECUTED BY, THE  DEPARTMENT  OF
HEALTH  AND THE OFFICE FOR PEOPLE WITH DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES PURSU-
ANT TO AN AGREEMENT EFFECTED BY THE CO-CHAIRS.
  5. MEMBERS OF THE COUNCIL SHALL  RECEIVE  NO  COMPENSATION  FOR  THEIR
SERVICES BUT SHALL BE REIMBURSED FOR NECESSARY EXPENSES.
  6.  THE  COUNCIL SHALL MEET QUARTERLY, OR MORE FREQUENTLY IF ITS BUSI-
NESS SHALL REQUIRE, PROVIDED THAT THE COMMUNITY FORUMS REQUIRED PURSUANT
TO SECTION NINE HUNDRED EIGHT-B  OF  THIS  ARTICLE  SHALL  CONSTITUTE  A
FORMAL MEETING OF THE COUNCIL.
  S  908-B.  FUNCTIONS,  POWERS  AND DUTIES OF THE COUNCIL. 1. NOT LATER
THAN ONE YEAR AFTER THE EFFECTIVE DATE  OF  THIS  ARTICLE,  THE  COUNCIL
SHALL  CONDUCT  COMMUNITY  FORUMS  TO  GAIN  INPUT FROM PATIENTS, FAMILY
MEMBERS, SERVICE PROVIDERS,  EXPERT  RESEARCHERS  AND  OTHER  INTERESTED
PARTIES CONCERNING THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE STATE POLICY AND PLAN REQUIRED
BY  THIS  SECTION. THE COUNCIL SHALL THEN CONDUCT COMMUNITY FORUMS EVERY
FIVE YEARS, OR MORE FREQUENTLY AS THE COUNCIL SHALL DETERMINE. COMMUNITY
FORUMS SHALL BE CONDUCTED IN OR AROUND ALBANY, BINGHAMTON, BUFFALO, LONG
ISLAND, NEW YORK CITY,  NORTHERN  METROPOLITAN  NEW  YORK,  PLATTSBURGH,
POTSDAM, POUGHKEEPSIE, ROCHESTER, SYRACUSE, AND OTHER AREAS AS THE COUN-
CIL SHALL DETERMINE.
  2.  THE  COUNCIL  SHALL PROVIDE THE INITIAL REPORT OF THE STATE POLICY
AND PLAN REQUIRED BY THIS SECTION TO THE GOVERNOR AND THE LEGISLATURE ON
OR BEFORE FEBRUARY FIRST, TWO THOUSAND FIFTEEN,  AND  SHALL  PROVIDE  AN
UPDATE OF SUCH POLICY AND PLAN BY FEBRUARY FIRST OF EVERY YEAR THEREAFT-
ER.  THE  STATE POLICY AND PLAN SHALL INCLUDE COMPREHENSIVE INFORMATION,
FINDINGS AND RECOMMENDATIONS CONCERNING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO, THE FOLLOW-
ING:
  (A) COORDINATION OF SERVICES, INCLUDING: COORDINATING  STATE  SERVICES
AND  PROVIDING  CASE MANAGEMENT; CLARIFYING AND STREAMLINING ELIGIBILITY
AND INTAKE PROCESSES FOR STATE SERVICE SYSTEMS; ADDRESSING THE NEEDS  OF
PATIENTS  WHO  FAIL  TO MEET ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA OF STATE AGENCIES; AND
UNITING PUBLIC AND PRIVATE AGENCIES IN A MANNER  THAT  WILL  BEST  SERVE
PATIENTS  AND  THEIR  FAMILIES.  IN  ASSESSING THE STRENGTHS AND GAPS IN
SERVICES FOR PATIENTS AND THEIR FAMILIES,  THE  STATE  POLICY  AND  PLAN
SHALL INCLUDE EVALUATIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS BY REGION;

S. 1582--A                          4

  (B)  EARLY  IDENTIFICATION  AND INTERVENTION, INCLUDING: STANDARDIZING
ASD SCREENING PRACTICES; TRAINING EDUCATORS, MEDICAL  PROFESSIONALS  AND
OTHER SERVICE PROVIDERS TO RECOGNIZE AND TREAT ASDS; AND PROMOTING EARLY
CHILDHOOD SCREENING BY PRIMARY CARE PHYSICIANS;
  (C)   LIFELONG   SERVICE  DELIVERY,  INCLUDING:  PROMOTING  ACCESS  TO
EVIDENCE-BASED SERVICES FOR PATIENTS OF ALL AGES; ESTABLISHING TREATMENT
GUIDELINES AND TRAINING PROGRAMS FOR CAREGIVERS;  PROVIDING  RESIDENTIAL
SUPPORTS  TO  ADULT  PATIENTS;  AND IMPLEMENTING EMPLOYMENT TRAINING AND
POST-SCHOOL TRANSITIONAL SERVICES;
  (D) FAMILY SUPPORT, INCLUDING:  EXPANDING  RESPITE  CARE  OPTIONS  AND
IMPLEMENTING OTHER MEANS TO REDUCE STRAIN ON FAMILIES;
  (E)  INCREASED DISSEMINATION OF INFORMATION, INCLUDING: INCREASING ASD
AWARENESS PROGRAMS; DISTRIBUTING BEST PRACTICES  TO  EDUCATORS,  MEDICAL
PROFESSIONALS  AND  OTHER SERVICE PROVIDERS; CONTINUING THE TASK FORCE'S
EFFORTS TO CREATE A CENTRALIZED HUB OF INFORMATION ON ASDS  THROUGH  THE
LAUNCH  OF  AN ONLINE INITIATIVE FOR ADULTS AND CHILDREN ON THE SPECTRUM
(NEW YORK ACTS); AND ENHANCING SUPPORT  FOR  PATIENTS  AND  FAMILIES  IN
NON-ENGLISH SPEAKING COMMUNITIES;
  (F)  COORDINATED  RESEARCH,  INCLUDING:   UTILIZING AVAILABLE RESEARCH
FUNDS IN THE MOST EFFECTIVE AND EFFICIENT  MANNER;  TRANSLATING  RESULTS
INTO  IMPROVED  TREATMENT  PRACTICES; DISTRIBUTING RESULTS TO EDUCATORS,
MEDICAL PROFESSIONALS AND  OTHER  SERVICE  PROVIDERS;  AND  UNITING  ASD
RESEARCHERS IN SEEKING TO ACHIEVE A BETTER UNDERSTANDING OF ASDS;
  (G)  FINANCING  TRAINING, TREATMENT AND RESEARCH IN THE STATE, INCLUD-
ING: MAKING FINANCING MORE EFFICIENT AND EFFECTIVE; STRENGTHENING FAMILY
SERVICES AND SUPPORTS; PROVIDING A SEAMLESS SPECTRUM OF  SERVICES  IRRE-
SPECTIVE  OF  AGENCY  JURISDICTION;  IDENTIFYING  EXISTING AND POTENTIAL
SOURCES OF FUNDING; AND PARTNERING WITH PRIVATE INDIVIDUALS, FOUNDATIONS
AND OTHER ENTITIES; AND
  (H) A STATISTICAL ANALYSIS OF DATA CONCERNING THE PREVALENCE OF AUTISM
IN NEW YORK STATE, BOTH STATEWIDE AND BY REGION; A LISTING OF  AVAILABLE
AND  PROPOSED  PROGRAMS,  AND THEIR AVAILABILITY BY REGION; A LISTING OF
AVAILABLE AND PROPOSED EXPENDITURES, AND THEIR AVAILABILITY BY REGION; A
LISTING OF FINANCIAL RESOURCES AVAILABLE FOR THE PROVISION  OF  SERVICES
TO  PATIENTS AND THEIR FAMILIES; AND SUCH OTHER INFORMATION AS THE COUN-
CIL SHALL DEEM RELEVANT.
  3. EXCEPT WHERE OTHERWISE PROHIBITED BY STATE STATUTE  OR  BY  FEDERAL
LAW,  RULE  OR  REQUIREMENT, THE PLAN SHALL BE BINDING UPON MEMBER STATE
AGENCIES, WHICH SHALL PROMULGATE REGULATIONS AND TAKE SUCH OTHER ACTIONS
REQUIRED TO EFFECTUATE THE STATE POLICY AND PLAN.
  4. THE COUNCIL SHALL SELECT AND DESIGNATE REGIONAL NEW YORK CENTERS ON
AUTISM AND RELATED DISABILITIES, HEREINAFTER NYCARD FACILITIES, FOR  THE
PURPOSE  OF IDENTIFYING, DISSEMINATING, AND ASSISTING IN THE IMPLEMENTA-
TION OF EVIDENCE-BASED PRACTICES TO SERVE PATIENTS AND THEIR FAMILIES.
  (A) THE COUNCIL SHALL ESTABLISH CRITERIA FOR THE SELECTION AND  DESIG-
NATION OF NYCARD FACILITIES, WHICH SHALL INCLUDE AN ASSESSMENT OF APPLI-
CANT FACILITIES':
  (1) PARTICIPATION IN TRAINING TEACHERS, PARENTS AND PROFESSIONALS;
  (2) LEVEL OF NON-STATE FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE AVAILABLE TO SUPPORT OPER-
ATIONS;
  (3)  UNDERSTANDING  OF PROGRAM GOALS AND OBJECTIVES ARTICULATED BY THE
COUNCIL;
  (4) PROPOSED GEOGRAPHICAL AREA TO BE SERVED;
  (5) PROPOSED WORK PLAN AND STAFF EXPERTISE;

S. 1582--A                          5

  (6) RELATIONSHIP WITH ENTITIES OR COMMUNITIES TO BE SERVED,  EVIDENCED
BY  SUCH  FACTORS  AS  REPRESENTATION ON BOARDS OF DIRECTORS OR ADVISORY
COMMITTEES; AND
  (7) SUCH OTHER FACTORS AS THE COUNCIL SHALL DETERMINE.
  (B)  THE  COUNCIL SHALL DEVELOP A REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS, A REQUEST FOR
QUALIFICATIONS, OR A REQUEST FOR EXPRESSIONS OF  INTEREST  AS  IT  DEEMS
APPROPRIATE;  AND  IT  SHALL  ACCEPT APPLICATIONS IN RESPONSE FOR DESIG-
NATION AS A NYCARD FACILITY FROM NOT-FOR-PROFIT, ACADEMIC  AND  RESEARCH
ENTITIES  IN  THE STATE. WITHIN EIGHTEEN MONTHS AFTER THE EFFECTIVE DATE
OF THIS ARTICLE THE COUNCIL SHALL:
  (1) DESIGNATE AS NYCARD FACILITIES: FEDERAL STUDIES TO ADVANCE  AUTISM
RESEARCH  AND  TREATMENT  (STAART)  NETWORK  PROGRAMS LOCATED WITHIN THE
STATE, THE CODY CENTER FOR  AUTISM  AND  DEVELOPMENTAL  DISABILITIES  AT
STONY  BROOK UNIVERSITY, AND THE CENTER FOR AUTISM AND RELATED DISABILI-
TIES AT THE UNIVERSITY AT ALBANY;
  (2) EXPAND CURRENT NYCARD FACILITIES  LOCATED  IN  OR  AROUND  ALBANY,
BUFFALO,  NEW  YORK  CITY, NORTHERN METROPOLITAN NEW YORK AND ROCHESTER;
AND
  (3) CREATE ONE OR MORE NYCARD  FACILITIES  IN  OR  AROUND  BINGHAMTON,
PLATTSBURGH, POTSDAM, POUGHKEEPSIE, SYRACUSE AND SUCH OTHER AREAS AS THE
COUNCIL SHALL DETERMINE.
  (C) NYCARD FACILITIES SHALL PROVIDE TRAINING, REFERRAL AND INFORMATION
FOR  PARENTS, EDUCATORS, MEDICAL PROFESSIONALS AND OTHER SERVICE PROVID-
ERS, INCLUDING:
  (1) INFORMATION AND REFERRAL;
  (2) EDUCATION AND TRAINING;
  (3) TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE AND CONSULTATION;
  (4) PROVISION OF, OR REFERRAL TO, FAMILY SUPPORT GROUPS;
  (5) DISSEMINATION OF EVIDENCE-BASED MODELS OF PRACTICE  FOR  EFFECTIVE
SERVICE DELIVERY; AND
  (6) SUCH OTHER SERVICES AS THE COUNCIL SHALL REQUIRE.
  (D)   WHERE   FEASIBLE,   NYCARD   FACILITIES   SHALL   ALSO   PROVIDE
TREATMENT-BASED SERVICES INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO,  CASE  CONSULTA-
TION AND CLINICAL SERVICES.
  (E)  THE  COUNCIL  IS  HEREBY AUTHORIZED TO CONTRACT FOR SERVICES WITH
DESIGNATED NYCARD FACILITIES PURSUANT TO THIS SUBDIVISION AND TO PROVIDE
GRANTS PURSUANT TO SUCH CONTRACTS WITHIN AMOUNTS DESIGNATED SPECIFICALLY
THEREFORE. THE COUNCIL MAY ACT THROUGH ONE OR MORE  MEMBER  STATE  AGEN-
CIES,  WHICH  IT SHALL DESIGNATE BY MAJORITY VOTE, FOR ADMINISTRATION OF
SUCH CONTRACTS AND GRANTS. INSOFAR AS POSSIBLE, WHERE PROVISION OF  SUCH
SERVICES  IS  PAID  FOR,  IN WHOLE OR IN PART, THROUGH A CONTRACT WITH A
STATE AGENCY, THE COST CHARGED TO RECIPIENTS SHALL BE REDUCED PRO  RATA.
CONTRACTS WITH NYCARD FACILITIES SHALL VARY DEPENDING ON THE SERVICES TO
BE  PROVIDED,  AND ANY SUCH CONTRACT SHALL REQUIRE THAT FUNDING PROVIDED
BY, THROUGH OR PURSUANT TO THIS  SUBDIVISION,  NOT  BE  USED  TO  OFFSET
EXISTING EXPENDITURES FOR THE SAME OR SIMILAR PROGRAMS.
  5.  NYCARD  FACILITIES,  AS WELL AS ORGANIZATIONS RECEIVING FEDERAL OR
NON-STATE GRANT FUNDS FOR RESEARCH, MAY RECEIVE GRANTS PURSUANT TO  THIS
SUBDIVISION  FOR  RESEARCH WITHIN AMOUNTS DESIGNATED SPECIFICALLY THERE-
FORE.  THE COUNCIL IS HEREBY AUTHORIZED TO ADMINISTER  SUCH  GRANTS  AND
MAY  ACT THROUGH ONE OR MORE MEMBER STATE AGENCIES WHICH IT SHALL DESIG-
NATE BY MAJORITY VOTE.  SUCH GRANTS MAY ALLOW  FOR  THE  ENHANCEMENT  OF
ACTIVITIES  FUNDED  FROM  SUCH  NON-STATE SOURCES THAT ARE ALREADY BEING
UNDERTAKEN BY SUCH ORGANIZATIONS, INCLUDING: THE CONTINUATION OF ONGOING
RESEARCH; THE PROVISION OF TECHNICAL INFORMATION; GUIDANCE  FOR  PRACTI-
TIONERS  ON    ASD  CARE  STRATEGIES,  THERAPIES,  MEDICATIONS AND OTHER

S. 1582--A                          6

RELATED  MATTERS;  COLLABORATIONS    WITH  PRACTITIONERS,  SCHOOLS   AND
NETWORKS;  AND  OTHER  ACTIVITIES  THE  COUNCIL  DEEMS APPROPRIATE. SUCH
GRANTS MAY BE USED FOR ANY PURPOSE IN  FURTHERANCE  OF  SUCH  ACTIVITIES
INCLUDING,  WITHOUT  LIMITATION, THE PURCHASE OF EQUIPMENT AND SUPPLIES,
PAYMENT OF SALARIES, OR OTHER ACTIVITIES AND PURPOSES AS APPROVED BY THE
COUNCIL.
  S 4. This act shall take effect immediately.