S T A T E   O F   N E W   Y O R K
 ________________________________________________________________________
 
                                   9868
 
                           I N  A S S E M B L Y
 
                              April 24, 2024
                                ___________
 
 Introduced  by  M.  of  A. SANTABARBARA -- read once and referred to the
   Committee on Governmental Operations
 
 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
 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
              

 
  EXPLANATION--Matter in ITALICS (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
                       [ ] is old law to be omitted.
                                                            LBD07764-01-3
 A. 9868                             2
 
 enhancement of efforts to improve access to, and the efficacy of, needed
 services, support and treatment.
   §  2.  Short title.  This act shall be known, and may be cited, as the
 "New York autism spectrum disorders  treatment,  training  and  research
 act".
   § 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.
   § 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.
   §  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
 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:
 A. 9868                             3
 
   (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.
   §  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 TWENTY-FIVE, 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;
   (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;
 A. 9868                             4
 
   (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;
   (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:
 A. 9868                             5
 
   (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 CONSULTATION 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
 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.
   § 4. This act shall take effect immediately.