NY Senate OKs package with three Mannion bills to help people with disabilities

Mannion, who chairs the Senate Disabilities Committee, introduced legislation that would create an ombudsman program within the state Office of People With Developmental Disabilities to ensure that individuals with developmental or intellectual disabilities receive coverage from managed care organizations. He also sponsored bills that would reestablish OPWDD's care demonstration program and remove insensitive words from state law. 

The three Mannion-sponsored bills were among eight that the state Senate approved Monday. The state Assembly passed two of the bills as part of its package. 

Mannion, D-Geddes, was named chair of the Senate Disabilities Committee in January. It's a new committee that was created after Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins decided to split the former Senate Mental Health and Developmental Disabilities Committee. There are now separate committees focusing on those subjects and providing oversight of the relevant state agencies. 

"Establishing a new Senate committee dedicated to protecting and supporting disabled New Yorkers sends a powerful message," Mannion said. "It also comes with the moral obligation to deliver real and lasting change for individuals, families, caregivers and stakeholders."

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