BILL NUMBER:  S32

 TITLE OF BILL :  An act to amend the social services law, in relation
to residential programs for adults with traumatic brain injuries

 PURPOSE OR GENERAL IDEA OF BILL :

To require certain residential adult care facilities to hold a
specific TBI certification or professional license.

 SUMMARY OF PROVISIONS :

Section 1 of this bill amends the social services law by adding a new
section 461-n, which provides that residential care programs for
adults with traumatic brain injuries (TBI) serving residents with TBI
must hold a national certification by the academy of certified brain
injury specialists or hold a current professional license or employ a
residential manager who holds a current professional license as a
physician, nurse practitioner, registered nurse, licensed
rehabilitation professional, certified brain injury specialist.

Section 2 of this bill provides that this law shall take effect on the
ninetieth day after it shall become a law, provided, however, that
effective immediately, the addition, amendment and/or repeal of any
rule or regulation necessary for the implementation of this act on its
effective date are authorized to be made on or before such effective
              

date.

 JUSTIFICATION :

According to the New York State Department of Health, approximately
400 incidents of TBI occur daily in New York State, resulting in
emergency room treatment or inpatient hospitalization. Each year, TBIs
result in more than 2,000 deaths, 19,000 hospitalizations, and over
112,000 emergency department visits among New York State residents.

Current research shows, in New York State, falls are the leading cause
of unintentional injury deaths for those 45 years and older and
furthermore adults 65 years and older have the highest rate of TBI
deaths. As the older population is vulnerable to TBI-related
incidents, it is necessary for the State of New York to make an effort
to reduce the incidence of avoidable TBI and enhance post-injury
recovery outcomes.

This legislation would require that any residential adult care
facility serving residents with TBI have the resources and medical
professionals necessary to enhance recovery and prevention of TBI.

 PRIOR LEGISLATIVE HISTORY :

2016: S.1704 - Referred to Health
2015: S.1704 - Referred to Health

 FISCAL IMPLICATIONS :

To be determined.

 EFFECTIVE DATE :
This law shall take effect on the ninetieth day after it shall become
a law, provided, however, that effective immediately, the addition,
amendment and/or repeal of any rule or regulation necessary for the
implementation of this act on its effective date are authorized to be
made on or before such effective date.