Bill Text: NY A10146 | 2013-2014 | General Assembly | Introduced

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Bill Title: Establishes a structured review of technology systems used for locating missing children with developmental disabilities; asks for recommendations.

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 2-0)

Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2014-06-19 - ordered to third reading rules cal.585 [A10146 Detail]

Download: New_York-2013-A10146-Introduced.html

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                           S T A T E   O F   N E W   Y O R K
       ________________________________________________________________________
                                         10146
                                 I N  A S S E M B L Y
                                     June 17, 2014
                                      ___________
       Introduced  by  COMMITTEE  ON  RULES  -- (at request of M. of A. Titone,
         Abinanti) -- read once and referred to the Committee on Mental Health
       AN ACT relating to technology systems used for locating missing children
         with developmental disabilities
         THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK, REPRESENTED IN SENATE AND  ASSEM-
       BLY, DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS:
    1    Section  1.  The  legislature  hereby finds that the tragedy of Avonte
    2  Oquendo who wandered away from his school never to be found alive  again
    3  highlights  the  continuing  need  to find ways to protect children with
    4  developmental disabilities.  Furthermore,  the  legislature  finds  that
    5  timing  plays  a  crucial  role  in  preventing  wandering incidents and
    6  wandering-related deaths of children with autism or other  developmental
    7  disabilities.  Because  of this, the legislature finds that coordination
    8  of search and rescue protocols that involve locator  devices  work  most
    9  effectively when systems are coordinated.
   10    S 2. The commissioner of the division of criminal justice services, in
   11  consultation  with the commissioner of the office for people with devel-
   12  opmental disabilities, shall review information technology systems  used
   13  for  locating missing children with developmental disabilities including
   14  those that have been established by local governments for locating miss-
   15  ing persons for the purpose of making recommendations on the creation of
   16  a statewide communication program that could  be  utilized  by  entities
   17  operating  such  locator  systems.  Such review shall include but not be
   18  limited to:
   19    a. a survey of all current  information  technology  systems  used  by
   20  local  governments  including  but  not  limited  to  global positioning
   21  systems, radiotermination technology, telemetry and satellite  position-
   22  ing systems;
   23    b.  an  analysis  of appropriate means for coordination of information
   24  sharing amongst entities that currently utilize locator systems;
   25    c. a standardized process to assist local governments and other  enti-
   26  ties interested in establishing a locator system;
   27    d.  a  process for synchronizing locator systems throughout the state;
   28  and
        EXPLANATION--Matter in ITALICS (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
                             [ ] is old law to be omitted.
                                                                  LBD15638-01-4
       A. 10146                            2
    1    e. appropriate response procedures by law enforcement when  conducting
    2  search  and rescue operations involving a child with developmental disa-
    3  bilities.
    4    S  3.  Such review and recommendations made pursuant to section two of
    5  this act shall be published in a report and provided  to  the  governor,
    6  temporary  president  of the senate and speaker of the assembly no later
    7  than one hundred twenty days following enactment.
    8    S 4.  The superintendent of the department of financial  services,  in
    9  consultation  with  the  commissioner of the department of health, shall
   10  conduct a study  to  review  health  insurance  coverage  of  technology
   11  systems  used for locating children with developmental disabilities when
   12  the treating physician or other licensed health care provider  deems  it
   13  necessary  for  the  health  and  safety of the child. In conducting its
   14  study, the department of financial services shall consider  whether  and
   15  to what extent insurance companies in the state currently cover technol-
   16  ogy  systems used for locating children with developmental disabilities;
   17  whether and to what extent  coverage  of  technology  systems  used  for
   18  locating children with developmental disabilities would impact premiums;
   19  the  cost  to  the state of the new mandate; and to what extent coverage
   20  should  include  rate  of  use,  repair  and  maintenance,  and  monthly
   21  subscriber fees.
   22    S  5. The department of financial services shall consult with relevant
   23  stakeholders, including insurance companies, consumer  advocacy  groups,
   24  disability  advocacy groups, and any other person or entity such depart-
   25  ment deems necessary. Such department shall issue a report of its  find-
   26  ings  as well as its recommendations as to whether insurance coverage of
   27  technology systems used for locating children with  developmental  disa-
   28  bilities  is  feasible,  the  extent  to  which  such coverage should be
   29  provided, and the impact this would have on premiums as well as the cost
   30  to the state. Such department shall submit its report to  the  governor,
   31  the  temporary president of the senate, the speaker of the assembly, and
   32  the chairs of the senate and assembly standing committees  on  insurance
   33  no later than one hundred eighty days following enactment of this act.
   34    S 6. This act shall take effect immediately.