BILL NUMBER: S8965A

SPONSOR: RIVERA
 
TITLE OF BILL:

An act to amend the public health law, in relation to establishing a
drug-induced movement disorder screening education program

 
PURPOSE OR GENERAL IDEA OF BILL::

The purpose of this legislation is to provide educational information
about the importance of screening for and recognizing symptoms of drug-
induced movement disorders; develop guidance for best practices for the
treatment and screening of drug-induced movement disorders, including
via telehealth; and the elimination of bias and reduction of stigma for
people living with drug-induced movement disorders related to the treat-
ment of mental health conditions.

 
SUMMARY OF PROVISIONS::

Section 1 includes the legislative intent.

              

Section 2 requires the New York State Department of Health to establish
a drug-induced movement disorder screening and awareness program within
the department under the health care and wellness education and outreach
program. The program would promote education and awareness of drug-in-
duced movement disorders and screening of these disorders, develop best
practices forthe treatment and screening of drug-induced movement disor-
ders, including via telehealth, and seek to eliminate bias and reduce
stigma for people living with drug-induced movement disorders.

Section 3 of this bill provides an effective date.

 
JUSTIFICATION::

Patients receiving treatment with medications for their mental health
conditions may be at risk of developing a drug-induced movement disor-
der. Drug-induced movement disorders, as discussed in the most recent
edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders
(DSM-5), are of "frequent importance" when mental disorders and other
medical conditions are managed with antipsychotic medications. These
involuntary movement disorders are caused by medications that help
control dopamine, such as first- and second-generation antipsychotics
commonly prescribed to treat people living with mental illnesses,
including schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, and major depression. Some
drug-induced movement disorders, such as tardive dyskinesia, are
persistent, irreversible, and potentially disabling neurological condi-
tions characterized by uncontrollable repetitive movements of the face,
torso, or other parts of the body. While untreated involuntary movements
can be stigmatizing and debilitating, the rates of undiagnosed patients
living with drug-induced movement disorders remains high.

Awareness of and periodic screenings for such movement disorders are
fundamental to the proper identification, diagnosis, and timely treat-
ment of drug-induced movement disorders. Recent updates to the American
Psychiatric Association's guidelines reflect the importance of screening
in people at risk of developing drug-induced movement disorders, but
health care and mental health providers, patients, and the public may be
unaware of these standards.
Under this bill, the Department of Health (DOH), through the health care
and wellness education and outreach program, will provide educational
information to educate providers and the public on the importance of
screening and recognizing symptoms of drug-induced movement disorders;
develop best practices for treating and screening drug-induced movement
disorders, including for the use of telehealth; and to provide education
and outreach on the elimination of stigma associated with drug-induced
involuntary movements. As part of this program, the DOH should inventory
existing drug-induced movement disorder resources available, develop and
maintain educational materials and guidance for providers and the
public, and help develop training for public safety officials to recog-
nize drug-induced movement disorders.

Public education and information about drug-induced movement disorders
will help health professionals, public safety officials, and the commu-
nity better understand these disorders, including what causes these
types of involuntary movements and their prevalence. This can help
reduce stigma by clarifying that some abnormal movements that may be
mistaken as a public safety concern are actually uncontrollable physical
symptoms of conditions caused by medication used to treat mental
illness.

In addition, services provided via telehealth to patients at risk of
developing drug-induced movement disorders, such as those treated with
antipsychotic medications, should align with existing standards of care.
This includes ensuring that at-risk patients are periodically screened
and assessed for developing drug-induced movement disorders. The needs
of patients living with or at risk of developing drug-induced movement
disorders encompass both mental and physical health care, and therefore
may require additional considerations when determining the clinical
appropriateness of telehealth.

 
PRIOR LEGISLATIVE HISTORY::

New bill.

 
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS FOR STATE AND LOCAL GOVERNMENTS::

Minimal as this program will be included in the already existing Depart-
ment of Health healthcare and wellness education and outreach program.

 
EFFECTIVE DATE::

This bill shall take effect on the 90th day after it shall have become a
law. 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 and completed on or before such
effective date.