A. 4146 2
Opioids change the chemistry of the brain and lead to drug tolerance,
which means that over time the dose needs to be increased to achieve the
same effect. Taking opioids over a long period of time produces depend-
ence, such that when people stop taking the drug, they have physical and
psychological symptoms of withdrawal (such as muscle cramping, diarrhea
and anxiety). Dependence is not the same thing as addiction; although
everyone who takes opioids for an extended period will become dependent,
only a small percentage also experience the compulsive, continuing need
for the drug that characterizes addiction.
Opioid addiction can cause life-threatening health problems, including
the risk of overdose. Overdose occurs when high doses of opioids cause
breathing to slow or stop, leading to unconsciousness and death if the
overdose is not treated immediately. Both legal and illegal opioids
carry a risk of overdose if a person takes too much of the drug, or if
opioids are combined with other drugs (particularly tranquilizers called
benzodiazepines).
In many cases, addiction requires a gateway drug. Gateway drugs are
substances that, when consumed, give way to harder, more dangerous
drugs. These milder substances, such as nicotine or alcohol, are
believed to open the door to the use of drugs such as meth, heroin and
cocaine, which can lead to addiction. Opioid abuse does not always
entail prior use of a gateway drug as opioids themselves are gateway
drugs.
Opioid abuse, along with the resulting overdose deaths, has risen to
the point of being one of the worst drug epidemics in the history of the
United States. According to the Centers for Disease Control and
Prevention (CDC) more than 750,000 people have died since 1999 from a
drug overdose. Two out of three drug overdose deaths in 2018 involved an
opioid. The CDC reports that opioids were involved in more than 47,600
overdose deaths in 2017 alone.
Rarely do people abusing or addicted to opioids seek treatment for
their addiction problems until they run into problems with the law.
According to research, opioid abusers do not believe that quitting is
even an option, as the addiction is so powerful, they cannot even
comprehend being free of it. For the most part, there are no volunteers
in current opioid recovery programs, just forced participants ordered
into the programs by the court. This makes the legal system, in partic-
ular the drug courts, an important part of this societal mental health
crisis.
(b) New York state leads the nation in the expansion and implementa-
tion of drug courts into daily court operations.
Drug courts use a collaborative approach to treatment involving
defense attorneys, prosecutors, treatment and education providers, and
law enforcement officials. Article 216 of the criminal procedure law
authorizes a criminal drug court to divert eligible felony offenders
into substance abuse treatment programs in lieu of incarceration in a
correctional facility. Non-violent offenders voluntarily enter the
program in which rules are clearly defined and a contract between the
offender, attorneys, the district attorney and the court is signed.
There are 141 drug courts in operation statewide. Defendants facing
certain felony or misdemeanor charges where drug addiction is a compo-
nent of their offense may be eligible to participate in a criminal drug
treatment court program. Those who successfully complete their drug
treatment court program may have their charges dismissed or reduced or
may receive a reduction in their sentence.
A. 4146 3
Young adult drug treatment courts are operational in several of the
criminal courts. These courts target defendants in the 16- to
21-year-old population.
In 2017, New York state opened the first opioid court in the nation.
The Buffalo Opioid Intervention Court provides immediate intervention,
treatment and medication for defendants who screen positive for opioids
and who staff feel are at risk of overdose or addiction. The University
of Buffalo School of Family Medicine (UBFM), a grant partner, contrib-
utes key staff positions. Those staff members provide daily case manage-
ment for program participants and link those participants to medication
assisted treatment (MAT) within 48 hours of arraignment when indicated.
In the Bronx, which has one of the highest number of opioid-related
overdoses and deaths in the state, the Bronx Opioid Avoidance and Recov-
ery Court is a collaboration between the court, prosecutors, and the
defense bar. Defendants charged with misdemeanor drug possession are
diverted to existing treatment services. Because only misdemeanor offen-
ders are eligible, charges are generally dismissed upon completion of
the recommended intervention.
Results from these diversion treatment programs have been positive. A
2003 study of six drug courts conducted by the Center for Court Inno-
vation demonstrated that the rates at which drug court graduates re-of-
fend were significantly reduced as compared to rates at which incarcer-
ated individuals re-offended. Notwithstanding the foregoing, an
additional treatment option is required.
Unfortunately, a percentage of defendants passing through drug courts
and their treatment options have a difficult time remaining free of
drugs after completing treatment, particularly those individuals who
abuse or are addicted to opioids. As the American Medical Association
has declared substance abuse a disease, it can be assumed some people
are sicker than others. After completing treatment in a rehabilitation
program and returning into society, usually in the same town where their
drug contacts were, these individuals have a difficult time remaining
drug-free.
The current model of drug court will tolerate relapse after relapse,
to a certain point. When judges get weary of these chronically addicted
defendants, they place them directly into the criminal system of the
court to serve prison time. There is no middle ground between "drug
court" rehabilitation referral and "criminal court system" incarcera-
tion. Once in the criminal court system, each opioid abuser or addict
will cost the state approximately $65,000 to $80,000 a year (the average
cost of maintaining a prisoner). The recidivism rate for those sentenced
to prison is approximately 45%.
The cost of maintaining long-term or even lifelong inmates in prison
and the destruction of many lives could be reduced by adding an option
to the system between drug court and the criminal system: a mandatory
state-run opioid rehabilitation center, where people could voluntarily
sign away their right to leave for one year or longer in exchange for
not being put into the prison system. In other words, a lock-up treat-
ment center.
This approach stands in contrast to current rehabilitation referral
measures which entail outpatient treatment or residential treatment for
limited periods of time. For some individuals, rehabilitation options
are determined by their insurance plan, not their actual needs.
A state-run residential rehabilitation center would provide drug court
judges with another alternative to criminal court. It would provide
ongoing treatment over an extended period of time; participants would
A. 4146 4
not be released until health care providers believed they could success-
fully refrain from drug use. Drug court judges would have another alter-
native to criminal court. They would no longer have to tolerate relapse
after relapse. Participants would benefit from an environment where
recovery would be easier for them.
(c) The legislature finds and declares that it is in the best interest
of the people of the state of New York to reduce the burden on the drug
courts, the cost to the state and the amount of time needed by the judi-
cial system to handle drug cases by referring opioid-abusing or opioid-
addicted criminal defendants to a facility under the supervision of the
Office of Addiction Services and Supports, while at the same time
providing desperately needed treatment to such individuals. As opposed
to incarceration, a mental health response is more likely to reduce
recidivism, saving both lives and taxpayer money.
§ 3. The mental hygiene law is amended by adding a new article 23 to
read as follows:
ARTICLE 23
DEDICATED OPIOID REHABILITATION TREATMENT FACILITY
SECTION 23.01 DEFINITIONS.
23.02 ESTABLISHMENT OF A DEDICATED OPIOID REHABILITATION FACILI-
TY.
23.03 DEDICATED OPIOID REHABILITATION FACILITY.
23.04 ADMISSION TO A DEDICATED OPIOID REHABILITATION TREATMENT
FACILITY.
23.05 REFERRAL TO A DEDICATED OPIOID REHABILITATION FACILITY BY
AN OPIOID COURT.
23.06 SENTENCING AGREEMENT.
23.07 MINORS.
23.08 DISCHARGE FROM A DEDICATED OPIOID REHABILITATION FACILITY.
23.09 TREATMENT FOLLOWING DISCHARGE FROM A DEDICATED OPIOID
REHABILITATION FACILITY.
23.10 COURT APPEARANCES.
23.11 RECORDS.
23.12 LIMITATIONS.
23.13 STUDY.
§ 23.01 DEFINITIONS.
AS USED IN THIS ARTICLE:
1. "COMMISSIONER" MEANS THE COMMISSIONER OF THE OFFICE OF ADDICTION
SERVICES AND SUPPORTS;
2. "CORRECTIONAL INSTITUTION" INCLUDES STATE, COUNTY AND FEDERAL
INSTITUTIONS OR FACILITIES OF CORRECTIONS AND JUVENILE FACILITIES;
3. "COURT" OR "DRUG COURT" MEANS A STATE DRUG COURT, A YOUNG ADULT
DRUG TREATMENT COURT, THE BUFFALO OPIOID INTERVENTION COURT AND THE
BRONX OPIOID AVOIDANCE AND RECOVERY COURT;
4. "DEDICATED OPIOID REHABILITATION FACILITY" OR "FACILITY" MEANS A
DEDICATED OPIOID REHABILITATION FACILITY ESTABLISHED PURSUANT TO SECTION
23.02 OF THIS ARTICLE;
5. "DEFENDANT" MEANS AN INDIVIDUAL REFERRED TO A DEDICATED OPIOID
REHABILITATION FACILITY PURSUANT TO AN AGREEMENT ENTERED INTO IN DRUG
COURT;
6. "ELIGIBLE DEFENDANT" MEANS A DEFENDANT WHO QUALIFIES AS AN ELIGIBLE
DEFENDANT AS DEFINED IN SECTION 216.00 OF THE CRIMINAL PROCEDURE LAW;
7. "LICENSED HEALTH CARE PROVIDER" MEANS AN INDIVIDUAL LICENSED PURSU-
ANT TO TITLE EIGHT OF THE EDUCATION LAW;
A. 4146 5
8. "MINOR" MEANS A DEFENDANT AT LEAST SIXTEEN YEARS OF AGE, BUT UNDER
EIGHTEEN YEARS OF AGE, BUT DOES NOT INCLUDE A PERSON WHO IS THE PARENT
OF A CHILD OR HAS MARRIED OR WHO IS EMANCIPATED; AND
9. "OFFICE" MEANS THE OFFICE OF ADDICTION SERVICES AND SUPPORTS.
§ 23.02 ESTABLISHMENT OF A DEDICATED OPIOID REHABILITATION FACILITY.
1. THE COMMISSIONER OF ADDICTION SERVICES AND SUPPORTS, IN CONSULTA-
TION WITH THE COMMISSIONER OF HEALTH, THE COMMISSIONER OF CORRECTIONS
AND COMMUNITY SUPERVISION, THE CHIEF ADMINISTRATOR OF THE COURTS AND THE
COMMISSIONER OF THE OFFICE OF GENERAL SERVICES, SHALL ESTABLISH A DEDI-
CATED OPIOID REHABILITATION FACILITY FOR THE PURPOSE OF PROVIDING LONG-
TERM RESIDENTIAL TREATMENT OF OPIOID ABUSING OR ADDICTED DEFENDANTS
REFERRED TO SUCH FACILITY FROM A DRUG COURT.
2. SUCH FACILITY SHALL BE OPERATED AND SUPERVISED BY THE OFFICE OF
ADDICTION SERVICES AND SUPPORTS, WITH SUPPORT FROM THE DEPARTMENT OF
CORRECTIONS AND COMMUNITY SUPERVISION.
3. SUCH FACILITY SHALL BE A SECURED (LOCKED) FACILITY ESTABLISHED FOR
THE PURPOSE OF PROVIDING LONG-TERM RESIDENTIAL TREATMENT OF OPIOID ABUSE
AND OPIOID ADDICTION AS AN ALTERNATIVE TO INCARCERATION.
4. IN SELECTING THE LOCATION OF THE FACILITY, PREFERENCE SHALL BE
GIVEN TO A SITE NEAR THE BUFFALO OPIOID INTERVENTION COURT OR THE BRONX
OPIOID AVOIDANCE AND RECOVERY COURT AND TO FACILITIES PREVIOUSLY
UTILIZED AS PART OF THE CORRECTIONS SYSTEM OR THE MENTAL HEALTH SYSTEM.
CONSIDERATION SHALL BE GIVEN TO THE MENTAL HEALTH RESOURCES AVAILABLE IN
THE AREA OF THE SITE.
§ 23.03 DEDICATED OPIOID REHABILITATION FACILITY.
1. A DEDICATED OPIOID REHABILITATION TREATMENT FACILITY SHALL BE A
SECURE (LOCKED) FACILITY.
2. STAFF AT THE FACILITY SHALL INCLUDE, BUT NOT BE LIMITED TO:
(A) QUALIFIED AND LICENSED HEALTH CARE PROVIDERS, COUNSELORS AND
SUPPORT STAFF AS DETERMINED BY THE OFFICE;
(B) ADMINISTRATIVE, MAINTENANCE, CUSTODIAL AND OTHER STAFF AS DETER-
MINED BY THE OFFICE; AND
(C) CORRECTIONS OFFICERS, IN A NUMBER AS AGREED UPON BY THE OFFICE AND
THE DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS AND COMMUNITY SUPERVISION SUFFICIENT TO
MAINTAIN ORDER AND REMOVE THE TEMPTATION OF DEFENDANTS RESIDING AT THE
FACILITY TO FLEE.
3. LIVING QUARTERS FOR DEFENDANTS REFERRED TO THE FACILITY SHALL BE
ARRANGED IN DORMITORIES HOUSING BETWEEN FOUR AND SIX DEFENDANTS.
(A) DORMITORY FACILITIES FOR MEN AND WOMEN ADMITTED TO THE FACILITY
SHALL BE MAINTAINED SEPARATELY.
(B) DORMITORY FACILITIES FOR MINORS SHALL BE MAINTAINED SEPARATELY
FROM DORMITORY FACILITIES FOR ADULTS.
§ 23.04 ADMISSION TO A DEDICATED OPIOID REHABILITATION TREATMENT FACILI-
TY.
1. ADMISSION TO A DEDICATED OPIOID REHABILITATION TREATMENT FACILITY
SHALL BE ALLOWED ONLY UPON REFERRAL BY A DRUG COURT TO THE FACILITY
PURSUANT TO THE PROVISIONS OF A SENTENCING AGREEMENT AS PROVIDED IN
SECTION 23.06 OF THIS ARTICLE.
2. ADMISSION SHALL BE MADE SOLELY FOR THE PURPOSE OF LONG-TERM,
SECURED RESIDENTIAL TREATMENT OF OPIOID ABUSE AND ADDICTION.
3. A DEFENDANT WHO HAS BEEN CHARGED WITH A CLASS A OR CLASS B FELONY
OR OF A VIOLENT FELONY OFFENSE AS DESCRIBED IN SECTION 70.02 OF THE
PENAL LAW SHALL NOT BE A CANDIDATE FOR ADMISSION TO A DEDICATED OPIOID
REHABILITATION FACILITY.
4. A DEFENDANT SHALL NOT BE A CANDIDATE FOR ADMISSION TO THE FACILITY
IF, IN THE DISCRETION OF THE SENTENCING COURT, SUCH PERSON IS DEEMED TO
A. 4146 6
BE A DANGER TO HIMSELF OR HERSELF OR TO OTHER PEOPLE, OR TO BE A HIGH
FLIGHT RISK.
5. A MINOR WHO MEETS THE CRITERIA FOR ADMISSION AS DESCRIBED IN THIS
SECTION MAY BE ADMITTED TO THE FACILITY, SUBJECT TO THE PROVISIONS OF
SECTION 23.07 OF THIS ARTICLE.
6. A DEDICATED OPIOID REHABILITATION FACILITY SHALL HAVE THE RIGHT TO
REFUSE ADMISSION TO A DEFENDANT WHOM THE FACILITY DOES NOT DEEM A SUIT-
ABLE CANDIDATE FOR SUCCESSFUL COMPLETION OF THE PROGRAMS OFFERED BY THE
FACILITY.
§ 23.05 REFERRAL TO A DEDICATED OPIOID REHABILITATION FACILITY BY AN
OPIOID COURT.
1. IN HIS OR HER DISCRETION, AND IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE PROVISIONS OF
SECTION 216.05 OF THE CRIMINAL PROCEDURE LAW AND OF THIS ARTICLE, A
JUDGE OF A DRUG COURT MAY ORDER A DEFENDANT TO ENTER TREATMENT AT A
DEDICATED OPIOID REHABILITATION FACILITY. ANY SUCH ORDER SHALL BE
DEPENDENT UPON APPROVAL BY THE COURT OF A SENTENCING AGREEMENT AS
PROVIDED IN SECTION 23.06 OF THIS ARTICLE.
2. NOTWITHSTANDING THE PROVISIONS OF SUBDIVISION ONE OF THIS SECTION,
A JUDGE SHALL NOT BE REQUIRED TO APPROVE A SENTENCING AGREEMENT FOR
REFERRAL TO A DEDICATED OPIOID REHABILITATION FACILITY, IF, IN HIS OR
HER DISCRETION, THE JUDGE DETERMINES THAT SUCH DEFENDANT IS NOT A SUIT-
ABLE CANDIDATE FOR ADMISSION TO SUCH FACILITY BECAUSE:
(A) THE DEFENDANT IS DEEMED TO BE A DANGER TO HIMSELF OR HERSELF OR TO
OTHER PEOPLE;
(B) THE DEFENDANT IS DEEMED TO BE A HIGH FLIGHT RISK;
(C) THE DEFENDANT SUFFERS FROM SUBSTANTIAL MENTAL ILLNESS WHICH IS NOT
RELATED TO THE DEFENDANT'S OPIOID ABUSE OR ADDICTION, EXCLUDING MENTAL
ILLNESS SUCH AS DEPRESSION WHICH MAY BE RELATED TO THE OPIOID USE;
(D) THE DEFENDANT'S PAST HISTORY INDICATES THAT THE DEFENDANT WOULD
NOT SUCCESSFULLY COMPLETE THE FACILITY PROGRAM;
(E) OF THE NATURE AND SEVERITY OF THE CRIME WHICH WITH THE DEFENDANT
IS CHARGED; OR
(F) OF SUCH OTHER REASON AS THE JUDGE, IN HIS OR HER SOLE DISCRETION
MAY DETERMINE.
3. (A) PRIOR RELAPSE IN AN ALTERNATE DRUG COURT TREATMENT PROGRAM OR A
PRIVATE OR PUBLIC TREATMENT PROGRAM SHALL NOT BE A PREREQUISITE TO
ADMISSION TO A DEDICATED OPIOID REHABILITATION FACILITY.
(B) A DEFENDANT WHO HAS RELAPSED TWO OR MORE TIMES IN AN ALTERNATE
DRUG COURT TREATMENT PROGRAM SHALL BE REFERRED FOR ADMISSION TO A DEDI-
CATED OPIOID REHABILITATION FACILITY OR ORDERED TO BE INCARCERATED.
4. (A) AN OPIOID ADDICTED OR OPIOID ABUSING DEFENDANT WHO HAS BEEN
SENTENCED TO INCARCERATION IN A CORRECTIONAL FACILITY BY A DRUG COURT
SHALL BE ELIGIBLE TO PETITION THE SENTENCING COURT FOR RECONSIDERATION
OF SENTENCING AND CONSIDERATION FOR AN ORDER OF THE COURT DIRECTING
ADMISSION OF THE DEFENDANT TO A DEDICATED OPIOID REHABILITATION FACILITY
IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE PROVISIONS OF THIS ARTICLE, PROVIDED THAT:
(I) AT LEAST ONE YEAR REMAINS ON SUCH DEFENDANT'S SENTENCE OF INCAR-
CERATION; OR
(II) IF LESS THAN ONE YEAR REMAINS ON SUCH DEFENDANT'S SENTENCE OF
INCARCERATION, SUCH DEFENDANT AGREES TO REMAIN AT THE DEDICATED OPIOID
REHABILITATION FACILITY FOR A PERIOD OF NOT LESS THAN ONE YEAR.
(B) THE GRANTING OF A PETITION DESCRIBED IN THIS SUBDIVISION SHALL BE
IN THE SOLE DISCRETION OF THE COURT.
5. NOTHING IN THIS ARTICLE SHALL PROHIBIT A SENTENCING JUDGE FROM
SENTENCING A DEFENDANT TO INCARCERATION IN LIEU OF ADMISSION TO A DEDI-
CATED OPIOID REHABILITATION FACILITY.
A. 4146 7
§ 23.06 SENTENCING AGREEMENT.
1. PRIOR TO THE ISSUANCE OF AN ORDER DIRECTING ENTRY INTO TREATMENT AT
A DEDICATED OPIOID REHABILITATION FACILITY AS PROVIDED IN SECTION 23.05
OF THIS ARTICLE, THE DEFENDANT, THE DEFENDANT'S ATTORNEY AND THE
DISTRICT ATTORNEY, OR HIS OR HER DESIGNEE, SHALL ENTER INTO A WRITTEN
SENTENCING AGREEMENT AS PROVIDED IN THIS SECTION AND IN SECTION 216.05
OF THE CRIMINAL PROCEDURE LAW. SUCH AGREEMENT SHALL BE INCORPORATED INTO
THE RECORD AND SHALL BE APPROVED BY THE COURT PRIOR TO THE ISSUANCE OF
AN ORDER; PROVIDED, HOWEVER, THAT THE COURT IS NOT REQUIRED TO APPROVE
ANY AGREEMENT WHICH THE SENTENCING JUDGE FINDS DEFICIENT OR INAPPROPRI-
ATE GIVEN THE CIRCUMSTANCES OF THE CASE. A COPY OF SUCH AGREEMENT SHALL
BE PROVIDED TO THE DEFENDANT, TO THE DEFENDANT'S ATTORNEY AND TO THE
DEDICATED OPIOID REHABILITATION FACILITY THE DEFENDANT IS ORDERED TO
ATTEND.
2. IN THE CASE OF A DEFENDANT WHO IS A MINOR, SUCH DEFENDANT'S PARENT
OR GUARDIAN SHALL ALSO BE REQUIRED TO CONSENT TO THE AGREEMENT ON BEHALF
OF THE MINOR UNLESS THE COURT DETERMINES THAT PARENTAL OR GUARDIAN
INVOLVEMENT WOULD HAVE A DETRIMENTAL EFFECT ON THE COURSE OF TREATMENT
OF THE MINOR OR IS NOT IN THE BEST INTERESTS OF THE MINOR. IN THE CASE
OF A MINOR WHO IS IN THE CARE AND CUSTODY OF THE STATE, CONSENT TO THE
AGREEMENT SHALL BE OBTAINED FROM THE APPROPRIATE REPRESENTATIVE OF THE
DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES OR AGENCY WITH WHICH THE MINOR WAS PLACED.
3. IN ADDITION TO ANY REQUIREMENTS SPECIFIED IN SECTION 216.05 OF THE
CRIMINAL PROCEDURE LAW, A SENTENCING AGREEMENT RECOMMENDING DIVERSION TO
AN OPIOID REHABILITATION FACILITY SHALL INCLUDE THE FOLLOWING
PROVISIONS:
(A) THE DEFENDANT'S AGREEMENT TO RESIDE AT THE FACILITY FOR A PERIOD
OF NOT LESS THAN ONE YEAR NOR MORE THAN TWO YEARS, WITH THE LENGTH OF
TIME BEING DETERMINED BY THE REHABILITATION PROGRESS THE DEFENDANT
MAKES;
(B) THE DEFENDANT'S AGREEMENT TO BE PHYSICALLY INCARCERATED AT THE
FACILITY IN LIEU OF BEING INCARCERATED AT A CORRECTIONAL FACILITY;
(C) A STATEMENT BY THE DEFENDANT THAT HE OR SHE UNDERSTANDS THAT THE
DETERMINATION OF THE DEFENDANT'S READINESS TO LEAVE THE FACILITY SHALL
BE MADE BY STAFF AT THE FACILITY; AND
(D) A STATEMENT BY THE DEFENDANT THAT THE DEFENDANT UNDERSTANDS AND
AGREES THAT IF HE OR SHE DOES NOT COMPLY WITH THE TREATMENT PROGRAM AT
THE FACILITY, ANY TIME SPENT AT THE FACILITY SHALL NOT BE CREDITED
TOWARD THE DEFENDANT'S SENTENCE.
§ 23.07 MINORS.
1. IN TREATING A MINOR AT A DEDICATED OPIOID REHABILITATION TREATMENT
FACILITY, THE IMPORTANT ROLE OF THE PARENTS OR GUARDIANS SHALL BE RECOG-
NIZED. STEPS SHALL BE TAKEN TO INVOLVE THE PARENTS OR GUARDIANS IN THE
COURSE OF TREATMENT, UNLESS IN THE JUDGMENT OF A LICENSED HEALTH CARE
PROVIDER TREATING THE MINOR, PARENTAL OR GUARDIAN INVOLVEMENT WOULD HAVE
A DETRIMENTAL EFFECT ON THE COURSE OF TREATMENT OF THE MINOR OR IS NOT
IN THE BEST INTERESTS OF THE MINOR.
2. TREATMENT OF A MINOR MAY BE PROVIDED TO THE MINOR BY A LICENSED
HEALTH CARE PROVIDER OPERATING THROUGH THE FACILITY, OR A PERSON OPERAT-
ING UNDER SUCH HEALTH CARE PROVIDER'S SUPERVISION, WITHOUT THE CONSENT
OR INVOLVEMENT OF THE MINOR'S PARENT OR GUARDIAN. IN THE CASE OF THE
TREATMENT OF A MINOR WHO IS IN THE CARE AND CUSTODY OF THE STATE, TREAT-
MENT OF A MINOR MAY BE PROVIDED TO THE MINOR BY A LICENSED HEALTH CARE
PROVIDER OPERATING THROUGH THE FACILITY, OR A PERSON OPERATING UNDER
SUCH HEALTH CARE PROVIDER'S SUPERVISION, WITHOUT THE CONSENT OR INVOLVE-
A. 4146 8
MENT OF THE DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES OR AGENCY WITH WHICH THE MINOR
WAS PLACED.
§ 23.08 DISCHARGE FROM A DEDICATED OPIOID REHABILITATION FACILITY.
1. A DEFENDANT SHALL BE DISCHARGED FROM A DEDICATED OPIOID REHABILI-
TATION FACILITY UPON THE OCCURRENCE OF THE FIRST OF:
(A) A DETERMINATION BY THE FACILITY HEALTH CARE PROVIDERS OR BY A
LICENSED HEALTH CARE PROVIDER DESIGNATED BY THE SENTENCING DRUG COURT,
OR BY THE OPIOID COURT IF THE DEFENDANT'S CASE HAS BEEN TRANSFERRED TO
AN OPIOID COURT, THAT THE DEFENDANT HAS MADE SUFFICIENT PROGRESS IN HIS
OR HER REHABILITATION TO LEAVE THE FACILITY PROGRAM, PROVIDED THAT SUCH
DETERMINATION SHALL NOT BE MADE UNTIL THE DEFENDANT HAS COMPLETED AT
LEAST ONE YEAR OF SUCCESSFUL TREATMENT AT THE FACILITY;
(B) THE EXPIRATION OF TWO YEARS AT THE FACILITY, REGARDLESS OF WHETHER
THE DEFENDANT HAS SUCCESSFULLY COMPLETED THE FACILITY REHABILITATION
PROGRAM;
(C) THE DEFENDANT'S REFUSAL TO COOPERATE WITH HIS OR HER FACILITY
REHABILITATION PROGRAM REQUIREMENTS OR TO CONTINUE IN THE FACILITY REHA-
BILITATION PROGRAM;
(D) THE DEFENDANT'S MEDICAL OR PSYCHOLOGICAL INABILITY TO CONTINUE IN
THE FACILITY REHABILITATION PROGRAM DUE TO A MEDICAL OR PSYCHOLOGICAL
CONDITION OR EVENT CLINICALLY UNRELATED TO THE DEFENDANT'S OPIOID
ADDICTION; OR
(E) AT THE REQUEST OF THE FACILITY TO THE COURT FOR REMOVAL OF THE
DEFENDANT FROM THE FACILITY.
2. A DEFENDANT WHO IS DISCHARGED FROM THE FACILITY PURSUANT TO PARA-
GRAPH (A) OF SUBDIVISION ONE OF THIS SECTION SHALL BE REFERRED BY THE
FACILITY, UPON APPROVAL BY THE SENTENCING COURT, TO A HALFWAY HOUSE AND
SUPPORT PROGRAM PURSUANT TO SECTION 23.09 OF THIS ARTICLE.
3. A DEFENDANT WHO IS DISCHARGED FROM THE FACILITY PURSUANT TO PARA-
GRAPH (B) OF SUBDIVISION ONE OF THIS SECTION SHALL BE RE-SENTENCED BY
THE SENTENCING COURT, OR BY THE NEAREST OPIOID COURT IF SUCH DEFENDANT'S
CASE HAS BEEN TRANSFERRED TO THE OPIOID COURT, TO SERVE THE REMAINING
BALANCE OF SUCH DEFENDANT'S SENTENCE AT AN ALTERNATIVE REHABILITATION
PROGRAM OR AT A CORRECTIONAL INSTITUTION, IN THE COURT'S DISCRETION.
THE FACILITY HEALTH CARE PROVIDER OR PROVIDERS WHO TREATED THE DEFENDANT
DURING THE FACILITY REHABILITATION PROGRAM SHALL PROVIDE THE SENTENCING
COURT WITH A WRITTEN REPORT OR REPORTS DETAILING THE DEFENDANT'S
PROGRESS OR LACK OF PROGRESS IN THE PROGRAM. IF, IN THE OPINION OF THE
FACILITY HEALTH CARE PROVIDERS, THE DEFENDANT HAS EVIDENCED A DESIRE TO
OVERCOME HIS OR HER ADDICTION OR ABUSE ISSUES, AND MADE SUBSTANTIVE
PROGRESS TOWARD DOING SO, THE DEFENDANT SHALL RECEIVE CREDIT TOWARD TIME
SERVED FOR HIS OR HER TIME AT THE DEDICATED OPIOID REHABILITATION FACIL-
ITY. IF, IN THE OPINION OF THE FACILITY HEALTH CARE PROVIDERS, THE
DEFENDANT HAS NOT EVIDENCED A DESIRE TO OVERCOME HIS OR HER ADDICTION OR
ABUSE ISSUES, OR NOT MADE SUBSTANTIVE PROGRESS TOWARD DOING SO, THE
DEFENDANT SHALL NOT RECEIVE CREDIT TOWARD TIME SERVED FOR HIS OR HER
TIME AT THE DEDICATED OPIOID REHABILITATION FACILITY.
4. A DEFENDANT WHO IS DISCHARGED FROM THE FACILITY PURSUANT TO PARA-
GRAPH (C) OF SUBDIVISION ONE OF THIS SECTION SHALL BE RE-SENTENCED BY
THE SENTENCING COURT, OR BY THE NEAREST OPIOID COURT IF SUCH DEFENDANT'S
CASE HAS BEEN TRANSFERRED TO THE OPIOID COURT, TO SERVE THE REMAINING
BALANCE OF SUCH DEFENDANT'S SENTENCE AT A CORRECTIONAL INSTITUTION. THE
FACILITY HEALTH CARE PROVIDER OR PROVIDERS WHO TREATED THE DEFENDANT
DURING THE FACILITY REHABILITATION PROGRAM SHALL PROVIDE THE COURT WITH
A WRITTEN REPORT OR REPORTS DETAILING THE DEFENDANT'S PROGRESS OR LACK
OF PROGRESS IN THE PROGRAM. IF, IN THE OPINION OF THE FACILITY HEALTH
A. 4146 9
CARE PROVIDERS, THE DEFENDANT HAS NOT EVIDENCED A DESIRE TO OVERCOME HIS
OR HER ADDICTION OR ABUSE ISSUES, OR MADE SUBSTANTIVE PROGRESS TOWARD
DOING SO, THE DEFENDANT SHALL NOT RECEIVE CREDIT TOWARD TIME SERVED FOR
HIS OR HER TIME AT THE DEDICATED OPIOID REHABILITATION FACILITY. SUCH
DEFENDANT SHALL NOT BE ELIGIBLE FOR DIVERSION TO ANY OTHER REHABILI-
TATION PROGRAM IN LIEU OF INCARCERATION FOR A PERIOD OF AT LEAST ONE
YEAR; PROVIDED, HOWEVER, THAT NOTHING IN THIS SUBDIVISION SHALL PREVENT
A DEFENDANT FROM PARTICIPATING IN A REHABILITATION PROGRAM WHILE AT THE
CORRECTIONAL INSTITUTION.
5. (A) A DEFENDANT WHO IS DISCHARGED FROM A DEDICATED OPIOID REHABILI-
TATION FACILITY PURSUANT TO PARAGRAPH (D) OF SUBDIVISION ONE OF THIS
SECTION SHALL BE ELIGIBLE TO RETURN TO THE OPIOID REHABILITATION FACILI-
TY UPON COMPLETION OF ANY NECESSARY MEDICAL OR PSYCHOLOGICAL TREATMENT,
IF THE DEFENDANT IS MEDICALLY AND PSYCHOLOGICALLY CAPABLE OF RETURN TO
THE FACILITY AND CONTINUED PARTICIPATION IN THE FACILITY'S REHABILI-
TATION PROGRAM. SUCH RETURN TO THE FACILITY, OR ALTERNATIVE SENTENCING,
SHALL BE IN THE DISCRETION OF THE COURT, OR THE NEAREST OPIOID COURT IF
SUCH DEFENDANT'S CASE HAS BEEN TRANSFERRED TO THE OPIOID COURT.
(B) THE FACILITY HEALTH CARE PROVIDER OR PROVIDERS WHO TREATED THE
DEFENDANT DURING THE FACILITY REHABILITATION PROGRAM SHALL PROVIDE THE
COURT WITH A WRITTEN REPORT OR REPORTS DETAILING THE DEFENDANT'S
PROGRESS OR LACK OF PROGRESS IN THE PROGRAM PRIOR TO THE ONSET OF THE
DEFENDANT'S INABILITY TO CONTINUE IN THE FACILITY REHABILITATION
PROGRAM.
(I) IF, IN THE OPINION OF THE FACILITY HEALTH CARE PROVIDERS, THE
DEFENDANT HAS EVIDENCED A DESIRE TO OVERCOME HIS OR HER ADDICTION OR
ABUSE ISSUES, OR HAS MADE SUBSTANTIVE PROGRESS TOWARD DOING SO, THE
DEFENDANT SHALL BE ALLOWED TO RETURN TO THE DEDICATED OPIOID REHABILI-
TATION FACILITY.
(II) IF, IN THE OPINION OF THE FACILITY HEALTH CARE PROVIDERS, THE
DEFENDANT HAS NOT EVIDENCED A DESIRE TO OVERCOME HIS OR HER ADDICTION OR
ABUSE ISSUES OR HAS NOT MADE SUBSTANTIVE PROGRESS TOWARD DOING SO, THE
DEFENDANT SHALL NOT BE ALLOWED TO RETURN TO THE FACILITY AND SHALL NOT
RECEIVE CREDIT TOWARD TIME SERVED FOR HIS OR HER TIME AT THE DEDICATED
OPIOID REHABILITATION FACILITY.
(C) IF DURING THE PERIOD OF THE DEFENDANT'S TREATMENT FOR THE MEDICAL
OR PSYCHOLOGICAL CONDITION THAT GAVE RISE TO THE INABILITY TO CONTINUE
IN THE FACILITY REHABILITATION PROGRAM, THE PROVISIONS OF PARAGRAPH (A)
OR (B) OF SUBDIVISION ONE OF THIS SECTION APPLY, THE PROVISIONS OF
SUBDIVISIONS TWO OR THREE OF THIS SECTION, AS APPLICABLE, SHALL BE
CONTROLLING.
6. A DEFENDANT WHO IS DISCHARGED FROM THE FACILITY PURSUANT TO PARA-
GRAPH (E) OF SUBDIVISION ONE OF THIS SECTION SHALL NOT BE ELIGIBLE TO
RETURN TO THE FACILITY.
§ 23.09 TREATMENT FOLLOWING DISCHARGE FROM A DEDICATED OPIOID REHABILI-
TATION FACILITY.
1. A DEFENDANT WHO IS DISCHARGED FROM A DEDICATED OPIOID REHABILI-
TATION FACILITY PURSUANT TO PARAGRAPH (A) OF SUBDIVISION ONE OF SECTION
23.08 OF THIS ARTICLE SHALL BE REQUIRED BY THE COURT TO RESIDE AT A
HALFWAY HOUSE TO REINTEGRATE THE DEFENDANT INTO SOCIETY FOR A MINIMUM
PERIOD OF TWO MONTHS UP TO A MAXIMUM PERIOD OF TWO YEARS.
2. A DEFENDANT WHO IS DISCHARGED FROM A DEDICATED OPIOID REHABILI-
TATION FACILITY PURSUANT TO PARAGRAPH (B) OF SUBDIVISION ONE OF SECTION
23.08 OF THIS ARTICLE AND SUBSEQUENTLY SENTENCED TO SERVE THE REMAINING
BALANCE OF OR A PORTION OF SUCH DEFENDANT'S SENTENCE AT AN ALTERNATIVE
REHABILITATION PROGRAM SHALL BE REQUIRED BY THE COURT TO RESIDE AT A
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HALFWAY HOUSE TO REINTEGRATE THE DEFENDANT INTO SOCIETY FOR A MINIMUM
PERIOD OF TWO MONTHS UP TO A MAXIMUM PERIOD OF TWO YEARS FOLLOWING
SUCCESSFUL COMPLETION OF THE ALTERNATIVE REHABILITATION PROGRAM.
3. IN THE DISCRETION OF THE COUNSELORS AT THE HALFWAY HOUSE, A DEFEND-
ANT MAY BE REQUIRED TO ATTEND ONE YEAR OF RELAPSE PREVENTION COUNSELING
SUBSEQUENT TO LEAVING THE HALFWAY HOUSE.
4. (A) IN THE DISCRETION OF THE SENTENCING COURT, OR THE NEAREST
OPIOID COURT IF SUCH DEFENDANT'S CASE HAS BEEN TRANSFERRED TO THE OPIOID
COURT, A DEFENDANT WHO HAS BEEN IN COMPLIANCE WITH THE PROGRAMS AT THE
DEDICATED OPIOID REHABILITATION FACILITY PROGRAM AND THE HALFWAY HOUSE
AND WITH ALL ALTERNATIVE REHABILITATION AND SUPPORT PROGRAMS SHALL BE
ELIGIBLE FOR PROBATION OR OTHER DISPOSITION OF HIS OR HER CASE IN
ACCORDANCE WITH THE PROVISIONS OF SUBDIVISION TEN OF SECTION 216.05 OF
THE CRIMINAL PROCEDURE LAW. TIME SERVED IN THE DEDICATED OPIOID REHABIL-
ITATION FACILITY PROGRAM, THE HALFWAY HOUSE AND OTHER ALTERNATIVE REHA-
BILITATION AND SUPPORT PROGRAMS SHALL BE CREDITED TOWARD THE TIME
REMAINING ON THE DEFENDANT'S SENTENCE.
(B) IF A DEFENDANT RELAPSES INTO OPIOID ADDICTION OR ABUSE WHILE ON
PROBATION, THE COURT MAY REVOKE THE SENTENCE OF PROBATION IN ACCORDANCE
WITH ARTICLE FOUR HUNDRED TEN OF THE CRIMINAL PROCEDURE LAW. IN SUCH
CASE, THE DEFENDANT WILL LOSE CREDIT FOR TIME SERVED IN THE DEDICATED
OPIOID REHABILITATION FACILITY PROGRAM, THE HALFWAY HOUSE AND WITH ALL
ALTERNATIVE REHABILITATION AND SUPPORT PROGRAMS.
(C) NOTWITHSTANDING THE PROVISIONS OF PARAGRAPH (B) OF THIS SUBDIVI-
SION, A DEFENDANT WHO HAS BEEN DISCHARGED FROM THE HALFWAY HOUSE AND IS
ON PROBATION MAY VOLUNTARILY SEEK ADDITIONAL TREATMENT THROUGH THE
COURT, INCLUDING A RETURN TO THE MANDATORY REHABILITATION PROGRAM OR AN
ALTERNATIVE REHABILITATION OR SUPPORT PROGRAM, OR SEEK ADDITIONAL TREAT-
MENT AT A PRIVATE OR PUBLIC FACILITY, WITHOUT LOSS OF CREDIT FOR TIME
SERVED IN THE DEDICATED OPIOID REHABILITATION FACILITY PROGRAM, THE
HALFWAY HOUSE AND WITH ALL ALTERNATIVE REHABILITATION AND SUPPORT
PROGRAMS.
§ 23.10 COURT APPEARANCES.
1. WHILE RESIDING AT A DEDICATED OPIOID REHABILITATION FACILITY, A
DEFENDANT SHALL ATTEND REQUISITE APPEARANCES BEFORE THE SENTENCING
COURT, PROVIDED SUCH COURT IS LOCATED WITHIN THIRTY MILES OF THE FACILI-
TY. TRANSPORTATION TO THE COURT SHALL BE PROVIDED BY THE DEPARTMENT OF
CORRECTIONS. WITH THE PERMISSION OF THE`SENTENCING COURT, AND IN ACCORD-
ANCE WITH GUIDELINES PROMULGATED BY THE CHIEF ADMINISTRATOR OF THE
COURT, THE DEFENDANT MAY MAKE AN APPEARANCE AT SUCH HEARING BY ELECTRON-
IC MEANS IN LIEU OF IN-PERSON ATTENDANCE.
2. IF THE SENTENCING DRUG COURT IS LOCATED MORE THAN THIRTY MILES FROM
THE DEDICATED OPIOID REHABILITATION FACILITY, THE SENTENCING COURT SHALL
TRANSFER THE DEFENDANT'S CASE TO THE NEAREST OPIOID COURT, IN ACCORDANCE
WITH GUIDELINES PROMULGATED BY THE CHIEF ADMINISTRATOR OF THE COURT.
§ 23.11 RECORDS.
1. AFTER THE ADMISSION OF ANY DEFENDANT, THE DIRECTOR OF A DEDICATED
OPIOID REHABILITATION FACILITY SHALL, WITHIN FIVE DAYS EXCLUDING SUNDAY
AND HOLIDAYS, FORWARD TO THE OFFICE SUCH INFORMATION FROM THE RECORD IN
SUCH TIME AND MANNER AS THE COMMISSIONER SHALL REQUIRE BY REGULATION.
SUCH INFORMATION FROM THE RECORD IN THE OFFICE SHALL BE ACCESSIBLE ONLY
IN THE MANNER SET FORTH IN SECTIONS 33.13 AND 33.16 OF THIS CHAPTER.
2. ALL RECORDS OF IDENTITY, DIAGNOSIS, PROGNOSIS, OR TREATMENT IN
CONNECTION WITH A PERSON'S RECEIPT OF CHEMICAL DEPENDENCE SERVICES SHALL
BE CONFIDENTIAL AND SHALL BE RELEASED ONLY IN ACCORDANCE WITH APPLICABLE
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PROVISIONS OF THE PUBLIC HEALTH LAW, ANY OTHER STATE LAW, FEDERAL LAW
AND DULY EXECUTED COURT ORDERS.
§ 23.12 LIMITATIONS.
1. A DEFENDANT SHALL NOT BE ELIGIBLE FOR REFERRAL TO A DEDICATED
OPIOID REHABILITATION FACILITY MORE THAN TWO TIMES, REGARDLESS OF WHETH-
ER THE DEFENDANT COMPLETES THE PROGRAM OFFERED BY THE FACILITY. NOTWITH-
STANDING THE FOREGOING, IF A DEFENDANT IS UNABLE TO COMPLETE THE COURSE
OF TREATMENT AT A DEDICATED OPIOID REHABILITATION FACILITY DUE TO A
MEDICAL OR PSYCHOLOGICAL CONDITION OR EVENT CLINICALLY UNRELATED TO THE
DEFENDANT'S OPIOID ADDICTION, IN THE DISCRETION OF THE SENTENCING COURT,
OR THE OPIOID COURT IF THE DEFENDANT'S CASE HAS BEEN TRANSFERRED TO THE
OPIOID COURT, THE DEFENDANT SHALL BE ELIGIBLE TO RETURN TO THE DEDICATED
OPIOID REHABILITATION FACILITY UPON COMPLETION OF ANY NECESSARY MEDICAL
OR PSYCHOLOGICAL TREATMENT, IN ACCORDANCE WITH SUBDIVISION FIVE OF
SECTION 23.08 OF THIS ARTICLE.
2. REFERRAL TO A DEDICATED OPIOID REHABILITATION FACILITY SHALL ONLY
BE MADE IN THE CASE OF A DEFENDANT WHOSE PRIMARY ADDICTION IS TO
OPIOIDS. A DEFENDANT WHO IS NOT ADDICTED TO OPIOIDS DOES NOT QUALIFY FOR
REFERRAL TO A DEDICATED OPIOID REHABILITATION FACILITY, REGARDLESS OF
ANY OTHER ADDICTIONS OR ABUSE ISSUES THE DEFENDANT HAS.
§ 23.13 STUDY.
FIVE YEARS AFTER THE DEDICATED OPIOID REHABILITATION FACILITY
COMMENCES OPERATIONS, THE COMMISSIONER SHALL PROVIDE THE GOVERNOR, THE
TEMPORARY PRESIDENT OF THE SENATE, THE SPEAKER OF THE ASSEMBLY AND THE
MINORITY LEADERS OF THE SENATE AND THE ASSEMBLY WITH A REPORT EVALUATING
WHETHER THE FACILITY PROGRAMS HAVE RESULTED IN A REDUCTION OF OPIOID USE
IN THE GENERAL POPULATION, THE EFFECT OF TREATMENT IN HELPING REDUCE
RECIDIVISM AND WHETHER THERE HAS BEEN A COST SAVINGS TO THE STATE
THROUGH TREATMENT THROUGH THE FACILITY IN LIEU OF INCARCERATION, TOGETH-
ER WITH SUCH OTHER MATTERS AS THE COMMISSIONER DEEMS RELEVANT.
§ 4. The opening paragraph of subdivision (b) of section 33.08 of the
mental hygiene law, as added by chapter 709 of the laws of 1986, is
amended to read as follows:
Any inpatient of a hospital operated by the office of mental health, A
DEDICATED OPIOID REHABILITATION FACILITY or a state operated alcoholism
facility shall be entitled to receive a monthly state payment for
personal needs for each full calendar month commencing on or after the
effective date of this section, in which the patient is in such hospital
or alcoholism facility, if such patient also:
§ 5. Subdivision (f) of section 19.17 of the mental hygiene law, as
amended by section 1 of part K of chapter 58 of the laws of 2009, is
amended to read as follows:
(f) There shall be in the office the facilities named below for the
care, treatment and rehabilitation of the mentally disabled and for
clinical research and teaching in the science and skills required for
the care, treatment and rehabilitation of such mentally disabled.
R.E. Blaisdell Addiction Treatment Center
Bronx Addiction Treatment Center
C.K. Post Addiction Treatment Center
Creedmoor Addiction Treatment Center
Dick Van Dyke Addiction Treatment Center
Kingsboro Addiction Treatment Center
McPike Addiction Treatment Center
Richard C. Ward Addiction Treatment Center
J.L. Norris Addiction Treatment Center
South Beach Addiction Treatment Center
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St. Lawrence Addiction Treatment Center
Stutzman Addiction Treatment Center
A DEDICATED OPIOID REHABILITATION FACILITY ESTABLISHED PURSUANT TO
ARTICLE TWENTY-THREE OF THIS TITLE
§ 6. Subdivisions 4, 5, 6, 7 and 8 of section 216.05 of the criminal
procedure law, as amended by chapter 435 of the laws of 2021, are
amended to read as follows:
4. When an authorized court determines, pursuant to paragraph (b) of
subdivision three of this section, that an eligible defendant should be
offered alcohol or substance use treatment, or when the parties and the
court agree to an eligible defendant's participation in alcohol or
substance use treatment, an eligible defendant may be allowed to partic-
ipate in the judicial diversion program offered by this article. Prior
to the court's issuing an order granting judicial diversion, the eligi-
ble defendant shall be required to enter a plea of guilty to the charge
or charges; provided, however, that no such guilty plea shall be
required when:
(a) the people and the court consent to the entry of such an order
without a plea of guilty; or
(b) based on a finding of exceptional circumstances, the court deter-
mines that a plea of guilty shall not be required. For purposes of this
subdivision, exceptional circumstances exist when, regardless of the
ultimate disposition of the case, the entry of a plea of guilty is like-
ly to result in severe collateral consequences; OR
(C) THE DEFENDANT IS ORDERED TO ENTER A DEDICATED OPIOID REHABILI-
TATION PROGRAM PURSUANT TO ARTICLE TWENTY-THREE OF THE MENTAL HYGIENE
LAW.
5. The defendant shall agree on the record or in writing to abide by
the release conditions set by the court, which, shall include: partic-
ipation in a specified period of alcohol or substance use treatment at a
specified program or programs identified by the court, which may include
periods of detoxification, residential or outpatient treatment, or both,
as determined after taking into account the views of the health care
professional who conducted the alcohol and substance use evaluation and
any health care professionals responsible for providing such treatment
or monitoring the defendant's progress in such treatment; and may
include: (i) periodic court appearances, which may include periodic
urinalysis; (ii) a requirement that the defendant refrain from engaging
in criminal behaviors; (iii) if the defendant needs treatment for opioid
use, that he or she may participate in and receive medically prescribed
drug treatments under the care of a health care professional licensed or
certified under title eight of the education law, acting within his or
her lawful scope of practice, provided that no court shall require the
use of any specified type or brand of drug during the course of
medically prescribed drug treatments; AND (IV) IF A DEFENDANT IN A
CASE BROUGHT IN AN OPIOID COURT NEEDS TREATMENT FOR OPIOID ABUSE OR
DEPENDENCE, THAT HE OR SHE MAY BE REFERRED TO A DEDICATED OPIOID
REHABILITATION FACILITY IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE PROVISIONS OF ARTICLE
TWENTY-THREE OF THE MENTAL HYGIENE LAW.
6. (A) Upon an eligible defendant's agreement to abide by the condi-
tions set by the court, the court shall issue a securing order providing
for bail or release on the defendant's own recognizance and conditioning
any release upon the agreed upon conditions. The period of alcohol or
substance use treatment shall begin as specified by the court and as
soon as practicable after the defendant's release, taking into account
the availability of treatment, so as to facilitate early intervention
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with respect to the defendant's substance use or condition and the
effectiveness of the treatment program. In the event that a treatment
program is not immediately available or becomes unavailable during the
course of the defendant's participation in the judicial diversion
program, the court may release the defendant pursuant to the securing
order.
(B) UPON THE AGREEMENT OF AN ELIGIBLE DEFENDANT IN A CASE BROUGHT IN
AN OPIOID COURT TO ABIDE BY THE CONDITIONS SET BY THE COURT, THE COURT
SHALL ISSUE AN ORDER DIRECTING THE COMMITMENT OF SUCH DEFENDANT TO A
DEDICATED OPIOID REHABILITATION FACILITY IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE
PROVISIONS OF ARTICLE TWENTY-THREE OF THE MENTAL HYGIENE LAW.
7. (A) When participating in judicial diversion treatment pursuant to
this article, any resident of this state who is covered under a private
health insurance policy or contract issued for delivery in this state
pursuant to article thirty-two, forty-three or forty-seven of the insur-
ance law or article forty-four of the public health law, or who is
covered by a self-funded plan which provides coverage for the diagnosis
and treatment of chemical abuse and chemical dependence however defined
in such policy; shall first seek reimbursement for such treatment in
accordance with the provisions of such policy or contract.
(B) IN THE CASE OF A DEFENDANT ORDERED TO ENTER A DEDICATED OPIOID
REHABILITATION FACILITY IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE PROVISIONS OF ARTICLE
TWENTY-THREE OF THE MENTAL HYGIENE LAW, WHO IS COVERED UNDER A PRIVATE
HEALTH INSURANCE POLICY OR CONTRACT ISSUED FOR DELIVERY IN THIS STATE
PURSUANT TO ARTICLE THIRTY-TWO, FORTY-THREE OR FORTY-SEVEN OF THE INSUR-
ANCE LAW OR ARTICLE FORTY-FOUR OF THE PUBLIC HEALTH LAW, OR WHO IS
COVERED BY A SELF-FUNDED PLAN WHICH PROVIDES COVERAGE FOR THE DIAGNOSIS
AND TREATMENT OF CHEMICAL ABUSE AND CHEMICAL DEPENDENCE HOWEVER DEFINED
IN SUCH POLICY, SUCH DEFENDANT SHALL FIRST SEEK REIMBURSEMENT FOR SUCH
TREATMENT IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE PROVISIONS OF SUCH POLICY OR CONTRACT
AT THE TIME OF ADMISSION TO THE DEDICATED OPIOID REHABILITATION CENTER
AND AGAIN UPON DISCHARGE FROM SUCH FACILITY AND RESUMPTION OF TREATMENT
THROUGH ANY ALTERNATIVE IN-PATIENT OR OUTPATIENT PROGRAM.
8. During the period of a defendant's participation in the judicial
diversion program, the court shall retain jurisdiction of the defendant,
provided, however, that, UNLESS THE DEFENDANT HAS BEEN ORDERED TO ENTER
A DEDICATED OPIOID REHABILITATION FACILITY IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE
PROVISIONS OF ARTICLE TWENTY-THREE OF THE MENTAL HYGIENE LAW, the court
may allow such defendant to (i) reside in another jurisdiction, or (ii)
participate in alcohol and substance use treatment and other programs in
the jurisdiction where the defendant resides or in any other jurisdic-
tion, while participating in a judicial diversion program under condi-
tions set by the court and agreed to by the defendant pursuant to subdi-
visions five and six of this section. The court may require the
defendant to appear in court at any time to enable the court to monitor
the defendant's progress in alcohol or substance use treatment. The
court shall provide notice, reasonable under the circumstances, to the
people, the treatment provider, the defendant and the defendant's coun-
sel whenever it orders or otherwise requires the appearance of the
defendant in court. Failure to appear as required without reasonable
cause therefor shall constitute a violation of the conditions of the
court's agreement with the defendant.
§ 7. Section 5 of the correction law is amended by adding a new subdi-
vision 7 to read as follows:
7. THE COMMISSIONER SHALL CONSULT WITH THE COMMISSIONER OF ADDICTION
SERVICES AND SUPPORTS WITH RESPECT TO ESTABLISHING A DEDICATED OPIOID
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REHABILITATION FACILITY FOR THE PURPOSE OF PROVIDING LONG-TERM RESIDEN-
TIAL TREATMENT OF DEFENDANTS REFERRED TO SUCH FACILITY FROM THE BUFFALO
OPIOID INTERVENTION COURT AND THE BRONX OPIOID AVOIDANCE AND RECOVERY
COURT, AS PROVIDED IN ARTICLE TWENTY-THREE OF THE MENTAL HYGIENE LAW,
AND SHALL ENTER INTO AGREEMENTS WITH THE COMMISSIONER OF ADDICTION
SERVICES AND SUPPORTS FOR THE PROVISION OF SECURITY SERVICES AT SUCH
FACILITY OR FACILITIES.
§ 8. This act shall take effect January 1, 2024. Effective immediate-
ly, 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 and completed on or before such effective date.