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