Bill Text: NY A05299 | 2013-2014 | General Assembly | Amended
Bill Title: Authorizes the mental health care and treatment of injured employees by licensed clinical social workers under the workers' compensation program.
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 3-0)
Status: (Vetoed) 2014-12-17 - tabled [A05299 Detail]
Download: New_York-2013-A05299-Amended.html
S T A T E O F N E W Y O R K ________________________________________________________________________ 5299--B 2013-2014 Regular Sessions I N A S S E M B L Y February 22, 2013 ___________ Introduced by M. of A. PRETLOW, BRONSON, ROSENTHAL -- read once and referred to the Committee on Labor -- committee discharged, bill amended, ordered reprinted as amended and recommitted to said commit- tee -- recommitted to the Committee on Labor in accordance with Assem- bly Rule 3, sec. 2 -- reported and referred to the Committee on Codes -- reported and referred to the Committee on Ways and Means -- commit- tee discharged, bill amended, ordered reprinted as amended and recom- mitted to said committee AN ACT to amend the workers' compensation law, in relation to the care and treatment of injured employees by certain licensed clinical social workers THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK, REPRESENTED IN SENATE AND ASSEM- BLY, DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS: 1 Section 1. Short title. This act shall be known and may be cited as 2 the "injured workers assistance act". 3 S 2. The workers' compensation law is amended by adding a new section 4 13-p to read as follows: 5 S 13-P. CARE AND TREATMENT OF INJURED EMPLOYEES BY CERTAIN LICENSED 6 CLINICAL SOCIAL WORKERS. 1. WHERE THE TERM "CLINICAL SOCIAL WORKER" IS 7 USED IN THIS SECTION, SUCH TERM SHALL MEAN A PERSON WHO IS DULY LICENSED 8 AND REGISTERED AS A LICENSED CLINICAL SOCIAL WORKER PURSUANT TO ARTICLE 9 ONE HUNDRED FIFTY-FOUR OF THE EDUCATION LAW. 10 2. (A) AN INJURED EMPLOYEE, INJURED UNDER CIRCUMSTANCES WHICH MAKE 11 SUCH AN INJURY COMPENSABLE UNDER THIS ARTICLE, MAY LAWFULLY BE TREATED, 12 UPON THE REFERRAL OF AN AUTHORIZED PHYSICIAN, BY A LICENSED CLINICAL 13 SOCIAL WORKER AUTHORIZED BY THE CHAIR TO RENDER SOCIAL WORK CARE PURSU- 14 ANT TO THIS SECTION. SUCH SERVICES SHALL BE WITHIN THE SCOPE OF LICENSED 15 CLINICAL SOCIAL WORK AS DEFINED IN SUBDIVISION TWO OF SECTION 16 SEVENTY-SEVEN HUNDRED ONE OF THE EDUCATION LAW. CLINICAL SOCIAL WORKERS 17 AUTHORIZED BY THE CHAIR TO PROVIDE SERVICES PURSUANT TO THIS SECTION, 18 SHALL NOT BE AUTHORIZED TO PERFORM INDEPENDENT MEDICAL EXAMINATIONS, EXPLANATION--Matter in ITALICS (underscored) is new; matter in brackets [ ] is old law to be omitted. LBD06715-04-4 A. 5299--B 2 1 EXCEPT FOR INDEPENDENT MEDICAL EXAMS RELATED TO THE NEED FOR CLINICAL 2 SOCIAL WORK SERVICES. 3 (B) MEDICAL BUREAUS, MEDICAL CENTERS JOINTLY OPERATED BY LABOR AND 4 MANAGEMENT REPRESENTATIVES, HOSPITALS AND HEALTH MAINTENANCE ORGANIZA- 5 TIONS, AUTHORIZED TO PROVIDE MEDICAL CARE PURSUANT TO SECTION THIRTEEN-C 6 OF THIS ARTICLE, MAY PROVIDE CLINICAL SOCIAL WORK SERVICES WHEN 7 REQUIRED, UPON THE REFERRAL OF AN AUTHORIZED PHYSICIAN, PROVIDED SUCH 8 CARE IS RENDERED BY A DULY REGISTERED, LICENSED AND AUTHORIZED CLINICAL 9 SOCIAL WORKER AS REQUIRED BY THIS SECTION. 10 (C) A LICENSED CLINICAL SOCIAL WORKER RENDERING SERVICE PURSUANT TO 11 THIS SECTION SHALL MAINTAIN RECORDS OF THE PATIENT'S CONDITION AND CLIN- 12 ICAL SOCIAL WORK TREATMENT, AND SUCH RECORDS OR REPORTS SHALL BE SUBMIT- 13 TED TO THE CHAIR ON SUCH FORMS AND AT SUCH TIMES AS THE CHAIR MAY 14 REQUIRE. 15 3. A LICENSED CLINICAL SOCIAL WORKER WHO IS DESIROUS OF BEING AUTHOR- 16 IZED TO RENDER CLINICAL SOCIAL WORK SERVICES UNDER THIS SECTION SHALL 17 FILE AN APPLICATION FOR AUTHORIZATION UNDER THIS SECTION WITH THE CLIN- 18 ICAL SOCIAL WORK PRACTICE COMMITTEE. THE APPLICANT SHALL AGREE TO 19 REFRAIN FROM SUBSEQUENTLY TREATING FOR REMUNERATION, AS A PRIVATE 20 PATIENT, ANY PERSON SEEKING CLINICAL SOCIAL WORK SERVICES, IN CONNECTION 21 WITH, OR AS A RESULT OF, ANY INJURY COMPENSABLE UNDER THIS CHAPTER, IF 22 HE OR SHE HAS BEEN REMOVED FROM THE LIST OF CLINICAL SOCIAL WORKERS 23 AUTHORIZED TO RENDER SERVICES UNDER THIS CHAPTER. THIS AGREEMENT SHALL 24 RUN TO THE BENEFIT OF THE INJURED PERSON SO TREATED, AND SHALL BE AVAIL- 25 ABLE AS A DEFENSE IN ANY ACTION BY SUCH CLINICAL SOCIAL WORKER FOR 26 PAYMENT FOR TREATMENT RENDERED BY SUCH CLINICAL SOCIAL WORKER AFTER 27 BEING REMOVED FROM THE LIST OF CLINICAL SOCIAL WORKERS AUTHORIZED TO 28 RENDER CLINICAL SOCIAL WORK SERVICES UNDER THIS SECTION. THE CLINICAL 29 SOCIAL WORK PRACTICE COMMITTEE, IF IT DEEMS SUCH LICENSED CLINICAL 30 SOCIAL WORKER DULY QUALIFIED, SHALL RECOMMEND TO THE CHAIR THAT SUCH 31 PERSON BE AUTHORIZED TO RENDER CLINICAL SOCIAL WORK SERVICES UNDER THIS 32 SECTION. SUCH RECOMMENDATIONS SHALL BE ONLY ADVISORY TO THE CHAIR AND 33 SHALL NOT BE BINDING OR CONCLUSIVE. THE CHAIR SHALL PREPARE AND ESTAB- 34 LISH A SCHEDULE FOR THE STATE OR SCHEDULES LIMITED TO DEFINED LOCALITIES 35 OF CHARGES AND FEES FOR CLINICAL SOCIAL WORK TREATMENT AND CARE, TO BE 36 DETERMINED IN ACCORDANCE WITH AND BE SUBJECT TO CHANGE PURSUANT TO RULES 37 PROMULGATED BY THE CHAIR. BEFORE PREPARING SUCH SCHEDULE FOR THE STATE 38 OR SCHEDULES FOR LIMITED LOCALITIES THE CHAIR SHALL REQUEST THE CLINICAL 39 SOCIAL WORK PRACTICE COMMITTEE TO SUBMIT TO SUCH CHAIR A REPORT ON THE 40 AMOUNT OF REMUNERATION DEEMED BY SUCH COMMITTEE TO BE FAIR AND ADEQUATE 41 FOR THE TYPES OF CLINICAL SOCIAL WORK SERVICES TO BE RENDERED UNDER THIS 42 CHAPTER, BUT CONSIDERATION SHALL BE GIVEN TO THE VIEW OF OTHER INTER- 43 ESTED PARTIES. THE AMOUNTS PAYABLE BY THE EMPLOYER FOR SUCH TREATMENT 44 AND SERVICES SHALL BE THE FEES AND CHARGES ESTABLISHED BY SUCH SCHEDULE. 45 4. NO CLAIM FOR CLINICAL SOCIAL WORK SERVICES SHALL BE VALID AND 46 ENFORCEABLE AS AGAINST THE EMPLOYER OR EMPLOYEES UNLESS WITHIN 47 FORTY-EIGHT HOURS FOLLOWING THE FIRST TREATMENT THE CLINICAL SOCIAL 48 WORKER GIVING SUCH CARE OR TREATMENT FURNISHES TO THE EMPLOYER AND 49 DIRECTLY TO THE CHAIR A PRELIMINARY NOTICE OF SUCH INJURY AND TREATMENT, 50 AND WITHIN FIFTEEN DAYS THEREAFTER A MORE COMPLETE REPORT AND SUBSEQUENT 51 THERETO PROGRESS REPORTS AS REQUESTED IN WRITING BY THE CHAIR, BOARD, 52 EMPLOYER OR INSURANCE CARRIER, AT INTERVALS OF NOT LESS THAN THREE WEEKS 53 APART OR AT LESS FREQUENT INTERVALS IF REQUESTED ON FORMS PRESCRIBED BY 54 THE CHAIR. THE BOARD MAY EXCUSE THE FAILURE TO GIVE SUCH NOTICES WITHIN 55 THE DESIGNATED PERIODS WHEN IT FINDS IT TO BE IN THE INTEREST OF JUSTICE 56 TO DO SO. A. 5299--B 3 1 5. FEES FOR CLINICAL SOCIAL WORK SERVICES SHALL BE PAYABLE ONLY TO A 2 DULY LICENSED CLINICAL SOCIAL WORKER AS LICENSED IN ARTICLE ONE HUNDRED 3 FIFTY-FOUR OF THE EDUCATION LAW, OR TO THE AGENT, EXECUTOR OR ADMINIS- 4 TRATOR OF THE ESTATE OF SUCH LICENSED CLINICAL SOCIAL WORKER. NO 5 LICENSED CLINICAL SOCIAL WORKER RENDERING TREATMENT TO A COMPENSATION 6 CLAIMANT SHALL COLLECT OR RECEIVE A FEE FROM SUCH CLAIMANT WITHIN THIS 7 STATE, BUT SHALL HAVE RECOURSE FOR PAYMENT OF SERVICES RENDERED ONLY TO 8 THE EMPLOYER UNDER THE PROVISIONS OF THIS SECTION. 9 6. WHENEVER HIS OR HER ATTENDANCE AT A HEARING IS REQUIRED, THE 10 LICENSED CLINICAL SOCIAL WORKER OF THE INJURED EMPLOYEE SHALL BE ENTI- 11 TLED TO RECEIVE A FEE FROM THE EMPLOYER IN AN AMOUNT TO BE FIXED BY THE 12 BOARD, IN ADDITION TO ANY FEE PAYABLE UNDER SECTION EIGHT THOUSAND ONE 13 OF THE CIVIL PRACTICE LAW AND RULES. 14 7. (A) UNLESS WITHIN THIRTY DAYS AFTER A BILL HAS BEEN RENDERED TO THE 15 EMPLOYER BY THE LICENSED CLINICAL SOCIAL WORKER WHO HAS TREATED AN 16 INJURED EMPLOYEE, SUCH EMPLOYER SHALL HAVE NOTIFIED THE CHAIR AND SUCH 17 CLINICAL SOCIAL WORKER IN WRITING THAT SUCH EMPLOYER DEMANDS AN IMPAR- 18 TIAL EXAMINATION OF THE FAIRNESS OF THE AMOUNT CLAIMED BY SUCH CLINICAL 19 SOCIAL WORKER FOR HIS OR HER SERVICES, THE RIGHT TO SUCH AN IMPARTIAL 20 EXAMINATION SHALL BE DEEMED TO BE WAIVED AND THE AMOUNT CLAIMED BY SUCH 21 CLINICAL SOCIAL WORKER SHALL BE DEEMED TO BE THE FAIR VALUE OF THE 22 SERVICES RENDERED. IF THE PARTIES FAIL TO AGREE AS TO THE SOCIAL WORK 23 CARE RENDERED UNDER THIS CHAPTER TO A CLAIMANT, SUCH VALUE SHALL BE 24 DECIDED BY THE SOCIAL WORK PRACTICE COMMITTEE AND THE MAJORITY DECISION 25 OF SUCH COMMITTEE SHALL BE CONCLUSIVE UPON THE PARTIES AS TO THE VALUE 26 OF THE SERVICES RENDERED. THE BOARD MAY MAKE AN AWARD FOR ANY SUCH BILL 27 OR PART THEREOF WHICH REMAINS UNPAID IN THE SAME MANNER AS AN AWARD FOR 28 BILLS RENDERED UNDER SUBDIVISIONS ONE AND THREE OF SECTION THIRTEEN-G OF 29 THIS ARTICLE, AND SUCH AWARD MAY BE COLLECTED IN LIKE MANNER AS AN AWARD 30 OF COMPENSATION. THE CHAIR SHALL ASSESS THE SUM OF FIFTY DOLLARS AGAINST 31 THE EMPLOYER FOR EACH SUCH AWARD MADE BY THE BOARD, WHICH SUM SHALL BE 32 PAID INTO THE STATE TREASURY. 33 (B) WHERE A LICENSED CLINICAL SOCIAL WORKER'S BILL HAS BEEN DETERMINED 34 TO BE DUE AND OWING IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE PROVISIONS OF THIS SECTION, 35 THE BOARD MAY IMPOSE A PENALTY OF NOT MORE THAN ONE AND ONE-HALF PERCENT 36 INTEREST PER MONTH PAYABLE TO THE LICENSED CLINICAL SOCIAL WORKER IN 37 ACCORDANCE WITH THE RULES AND REGULATIONS PROMULGATED BY THE BOARD. 38 (C) THE PARTIES TO SUCH PROCEEDING SHALL EACH PAY TO THE CHAIR A SUM 39 EQUAL TO FIVE PER CENTUM OF THE AMOUNT PAYABLE UNDER THE DECISION OF 40 SUCH COMMITTEE OR A MINIMUM OF FIVE DOLLARS, WHICHEVER IS GREATER. THE 41 SUMS SO COLLECTED SHALL BE TRANSFERRED TO THE STATE TREASURY TO REIM- 42 BURSE IT ON ACCOUNT OF THE EXPENSE OF ADMINISTERING THIS SECTION. 43 8. WITHIN THE LIMITS PRESCRIBED BY THE EDUCATION LAW FOR LICENSED 44 CLINICAL SOCIAL WORK SERVICES, THE REPORT OR TESTIMONY OF AN AUTHORIZED 45 CLINICAL SOCIAL WORKER CONCERNING THE CONDITION OF AN INJURED EMPLOYEE 46 AND TREATMENT THEREOF SHALL BE DEEMED COMPETENT EVIDENCE AND THE PROFES- 47 SIONAL OPINION OF THE LICENSED CLINICAL SOCIAL WORKER AS TO CAUSAL 48 RELATION AND AS TO REQUIRED TREATMENT SHALL BE DEEMED COMPETENT BUT 49 SHALL NOT BE CONTROLLING. NOTHING IN THIS SECTION SHALL BE DEEMED TO 50 DEPRIVE ANY EMPLOYER OR INSURANCE CARRIER OF ANY RIGHT TO A MEDICAL 51 EXAMINATION OR PRESENTATION OF MEDICAL TESTIMONY NOW CONFERRED BY LAW. 52 9. THE CHAIR SHALL PROMULGATE RULES GOVERNING THE PROCEDURE TO BE 53 FOLLOWED BY THOSE RENDERING CLINICAL SOCIAL WORK SERVICES UNDER THIS 54 SECTION, WHICH RULES SO FAR AS PRACTICABLE SHALL CONFORM TO THE RULES 55 PRESENTLY IN EFFECT WITH REFERENCE TO MEDICAL CARE FURNISHED TO CLAIM- 56 ANTS IN WORKERS' COMPENSATION. IN CONNECTION WITH THE PROMULGATION OF A. 5299--B 4 1 SUCH RULES THE CHAIR MAY CONSULT THE CLINICAL SOCIAL WORK PRACTICE 2 COMMITTEE AND MAY TAKE INTO CONSIDERATION THE VIEW OF OTHER INTERESTED 3 PARTIES. 4 10. THE CHAIR SHALL APPOINT FOR AND WITH JURISDICTION IN THE ENTIRE 5 STATE OF NEW YORK A SINGLE CLINICAL SOCIAL WORK PRACTICE COMMITTEE 6 COMPOSED OF TWO CLINICAL LICENSED SOCIAL WORKERS, AND ONE DULY LICENSED 7 PHYSICIAN OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK. EACH MEMBER OF SUCH COMMITTEE SHALL 8 RECEIVE COMPENSATION EITHER ON AN ANNUAL BASIS OR ON A PER DIEM BASIS TO 9 BE FIXED BY THE CHAIR WITHIN AMOUNTS APPROPRIATED THEREFOR. ONE OF SUCH 10 LICENSED CLINICAL SOCIAL WORKERS SHALL BE DESIGNATED BY THE CHAIR AS A 11 CHAIR OF SUCH CLINICAL SOCIAL WORK PRACTICE COMMITTEE. NO MEMBER OF SUCH 12 COMMITTEE SHALL RENDER CLINICAL SOCIAL WORK SERVICES UNDER THIS SECTION 13 NOR BE AN EMPLOYER OR ACCEPT OR PARTICIPATE IN ANY FEE FROM ANY INSUR- 14 ANCE COMPANY AUTHORIZED TO WRITE WORKERS' COMPENSATION INSURANCE IN THIS 15 STATE OR FROM ANY SELF-INSURER, WHETHER SUCH EMPLOYMENT OR FEE RELATES 16 TO A WORKERS' COMPENSATION CLAIM OR OTHERWISE. THE ATTORNEY GENERAL, 17 UPON REQUEST, SHALL ADVISE AND ASSIST SUCH COMMITTEE. 18 11. THE CLINICAL SOCIAL WORK PRACTICE COMMITTEE SHALL INVESTIGATE, 19 HEAR AND MAKE FINDINGS WITH RESPECT TO ALL CHARGES AS TO PROFESSIONAL OR 20 OTHER MISCONDUCT OF ANY AUTHORIZED CLINICAL SOCIAL WORKER AS PROVIDED IN 21 THIS SECTION UNDER RULES AND PROCEDURES TO BE PRESCRIBED BY THE CHAIR 22 AND SHALL REPORT EVIDENCE OF SUCH MISCONDUCT, WITH THEIR FINDINGS AND 23 RECOMMENDATIONS WITH RESPECT THERETO, TO THE CHAIR. THE FINDINGS, DECI- 24 SION AND RECOMMENDATION OF SUCH CLINICAL SOCIAL WORK PRACTICE COMMITTEE 25 SHALL BE ADVISORY TO THE CHAIR ONLY, AND SHALL NOT BE BINDING OR CONCLU- 26 SIVE UPON HIM OR HER. THE CHAIR SHALL REMOVE FROM THE LIST OF LICENSED 27 CLINICAL SOCIAL WORKERS AUTHORIZED TO RENDER CLINICAL SOCIAL WORK 28 SERVICES UNDER THIS CHAPTER THE NAME OF ANY CLINICAL SOCIAL WORKER WHO 29 HE OR SHE SHALL FIND AFTER REASONABLE INVESTIGATION IS DISQUALIFIED 30 BECAUSE SUCH CLINICAL SOCIAL WORKER: 31 (A) HAS BEEN GUILTY OF PROFESSIONAL OR OTHER MISCONDUCT OR INCOMPETEN- 32 CY IN CONNECTION WITH THE RENDERING OF CLINICAL SOCIAL WORK SERVICES, 33 (B) HAS EXCEEDED THE LIMITS OF HIS OR HER PROFESSIONAL COMPETENCE IN 34 RENDERING CLINICAL SOCIAL WORK SERVICES UNDER THE LAW, OR HAS MADE FALSE 35 STATEMENTS REGARDING QUALIFICATIONS IN THE APPLICATION FOR AUTHORI- 36 ZATION, 37 (C) HAS FAILED TO SUBMIT TIMELY, FULL AND TRUTHFUL CLINICAL SOCIAL 38 WORK EVALUATION AND TREATMENT REPORTS OF ALL FINDINGS TO THE EMPLOYER 39 AND DIRECTLY TO THE CHAIR OF THE BOARD WITHIN THE TIME LIMITS PROVIDED 40 IN THIS SECTION, 41 (D) HAS RENDERED CLINICAL SOCIAL WORKER SERVICES UNDER THIS CHAPTER 42 FOR A FEE LESS THAN THAT FIXED IN THE FEE SCHEDULE, 43 (E) HAS SOLICITED OR HAS EMPLOYED ANOTHER TO SOLICIT FOR 44 HIMSELF/HERSELF OR FOR ANOTHER PROFESSIONAL TREATMENT, EXAMINATION OR 45 CARE OF AN INJURED EMPLOYEE WITH ANY CLAIM UNDER THIS CHAPTER, 46 (F) HAS REFUSED TO APPEAR BEFORE OR ANSWER UPON REQUEST OF THE CHAIR, 47 BOARD, CLINICAL SOCIAL WORK PRACTICE COMMITTEE OR ANY DULY AUTHORIZED 48 OFFICER OF THE STATE, ANY LEGAL QUESTION OR PRODUCE ANY RELEVANT BOOK OR 49 PAPER CONCERNING CONDUCT UNDER AN AUTHORIZATION GRANTED UNDER LAW, OR 50 (G) HAS DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY REQUESTED, RECEIVED OR PARTICIPATED IN 51 THE DIVISION, TRANSFERENCE, ASSIGNMENT, REBATING, SPLITTING OR REFUNDING 52 OF A FEE FOR, OR HAS DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY REQUESTED, RECEIVED OR PROF- 53 ITED BY MEANS OF A CREDIT OR OTHERWISE VALUABLE CONSIDERATION AS A 54 COMMISSION, DISCOUNT OR GRATUITY IN CONNECTION WITH THE TREATMENT OF A 55 WORKERS' COMPENSATION CLAIMANT. A. 5299--B 5 1 12. ANY PERSON WHO VIOLATES OR ATTEMPTS TO VIOLATE, AND ANY PERSON WHO 2 AIDS ANOTHER TO VIOLATE OR ATTEMPTS TO INDUCE HIM OR HER TO VIOLATE THE 3 PROVISIONS OF PARAGRAPH (G) OF SUBDIVISION ELEVEN OF THIS SECTION SHALL 4 BE GUILTY OF A MISDEMEANOR. 5 13. NOTHING IN THIS SECTION SHALL BE CONSTRUED AS LIMITING IN ANY 6 RESPECT THE POWER OR DUTY OF THE CHAIR TO INVESTIGATE INSTANCES OF 7 MISCONDUCT, EITHER BEFORE OR AFTER INVESTIGATION BY THE CLINICAL SOCIAL 8 WORK PRACTICE COMMITTEE, OR TO TEMPORARILY SUSPEND THE AUTHORIZATION OF 9 ANY LICENSED CLINICAL SOCIAL WORKER BELIEVED TO BE GUILTY OF SUCH 10 MISCONDUCT. THE PROVISIONS OF SUBDIVISION ONE OF SECTION THIRTEEN-D OF 11 THIS ARTICLE WHICH ARE NOT INCONSISTENT WITH THE PROVISIONS OF THIS 12 SECTION SHALL BE APPLICABLE AS IF FULLY SET FORTH IN THIS SECTION. 13 14. NOTHING CONTAINED IN THIS SECTION SHALL PROHIBIT CLINICAL SOCIAL 14 WORKERS WHO PRACTICE AS PARTNERS, IN GROUPS OR AS A PROFESSIONAL CORPO- 15 RATION FROM POOLING FEES AND MONEYS RECEIVED, EITHER BY THE PARTNERSHIP, 16 PROFESSIONAL CORPORATION OR GROUP OR BY THE INDIVIDUAL MEMBERS THEREOF, 17 FOR PROFESSIONAL SERVICES FURNISHED BY ANY INDIVIDUAL PROFESSIONAL 18 MEMBER, OR EMPLOYEE OF SUCH PARTNERSHIP, CORPORATION OR GROUP, NOR SHALL 19 THE PROFESSIONALS CONSTITUTING THE PARTNERSHIPS, CORPORATIONS, OR GROUPS 20 BE PROHIBITED FROM SHARING, DIVIDING OR APPORTIONING THE FEES AND MONEYS 21 RECEIVED BY THEM OR BY THE PARTNERSHIP, CORPORATION OR GROUP IN ACCORD- 22 ANCE WITH A PARTNERSHIP OR OTHER AGREEMENT. 23 S 3. This act shall take effect on the one hundred eightieth day after 24 it shall have become a law. Effective immediately, the addition, amend- 25 ment and/or repeal of any rules and regulations necessary to implement 26 the provisions of this act on its effective date are authorized to be 27 made on or before such effective date.