Bill Text: NY S02565 | 2017-2018 | General Assembly | Introduced

New York Senate Bill 2565 (Prior Session Legislation)

NOTE: There are more recent revisions of this legislation. Read Latest Draft

Bill Title: Establishes identification cards for individuals with developmental disabilities.

Spectrum: Slight Partisan Bill (Democrat 3-1)

Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2018-06-19 - SUBSTITUTED BY A249C [S02565 Detail]

Download: New_York-2017-S02565-Introduced.html

                STATE OF NEW YORK
        ________________________________________________________________________
                                          2565
                               2017-2018 Regular Sessions
                    IN SENATE
                                    January 13, 2017
                                       ___________
        Introduced  by  Sen. HELMING -- read twice and ordered printed, and when
          printed to be committed to the Committee on Mental Health and Develop-
          mental Disabilities
        AN ACT to amend the mental hygiene law, in  relation  to  providing  for
          identification cards for individuals with autism spectrum disorder
          The  People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assem-
        bly, do enact as follows:
     1    Section 1. The mental hygiene law is amended by adding a  new  section
     2  13.43 to read as follows:
     3  § 13.43 Autism spectrum disorder card.
     4    (a)  The  commissioner  shall  develop an identification card denoting
     5  that a person has been  medically  diagnosed  with  an  autism  spectrum
     6  disorder.  Such identification card may be presented to law enforcement,
     7  firefighters and emergency medical services personnel as necessary.
     8    (b)  Upon the request of a person with an autism spectrum disorder, or
     9  the guardian or caregiver of such person, the office  shall  issue  such
    10  autism  spectrum  disorder  card  in  accordance  with  eligibility  and
    11  documentation criteria established by the office for a fee not to exceed
    12  five dollars.
    13    (c) The front of such card shall indicate that it has been  issued  by
    14  the office pursuant to this section and shall include:
    15    (1) the card bearer's name;
    16    (2) the card bearer's address;
    17    (3) the card bearer's date of birth; and
    18    (4)  the  following  statement: "I HAVE AN AUTISM SPECTRUM DISORDER. I
    19  MAY HAVE DIFFICULTY UNDERSTANDING AND FOLLOWING YOUR DIRECTIONS  OR  MAY
    20  BECOME UNABLE TO RESPOND. I MAY BECOME PHYSICALLY AGITATED IF YOU PROMPT
    21  ME VERBALLY OR TOUCH ME OR MOVE TOO CLOSE TO ME. AUTISM IS NOT AN EXCUSE
    22  FOR  ILLEGAL  BEHAVIOR.  I AM NOT INTENTIONALLY REFUSING TO COOPERATE. I
    23  MAY NEED YOUR ASSISTANCE. PLEASE SEE THE BACK OF THIS CARD."
    24    (d) The back of such card shall include:
         EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
                              [ ] is old law to be omitted.
                                                                   LBD05256-01-7

        S. 2565                             2
     1    (1) at the card bearer's discretion, the name and phone number  of  an
     2  individual  designated  by  such  card bearer to be contacted in case of
     3  emergency; and
     4    (2)  a  designated  space where such card bearer may include any addi-
     5  tional information.
     6    § 2. This act shall take effect immediately.