N.Y. Mental Hygiene Law § 13.01: Declaration of policy

§ 13.01 Declaration of policy.

The state of New York and its local governments have a responsibility

for the prevention and early detection of developmental disabilities and

for the comprehensively planned provision of services including care,

treatment habilitation and rehabilitation of their citizens with

developmental disabilities.

Therefore, it shall be the policy of the state to conduct research and

to develop programs to further the prevention and early detection of

developmental disabilities; to develop a comprehensive, integrated

system of services which has as its primary purposes the promotion and

attainment of independence, inclusion, individuality and productivity

for persons with developmental disabilities; to serve the full range of

needs of persons with developmental disabilities by expanding the number

and types of community based services and developing new methods of

service delivery; and to improve the equity, effectiveness and

efficiency of services for persons with developmental disabilities by

serving persons in the community as well as those in developmental

centers, by improving the conditions in developmental centers, and by

establishing accountability for carrying out the policies of the state

with regard to such persons.

To accomplish these goals and meet the particular needs of individuals

with developmental disabilities, a new autonomous agency to be known as

the office for people with developmental disabilities has been

established. The office and its commissioner shall plan and work with

local governments and voluntary organizations and all providers of

services, and individuals with developmental disabilities and their

families and representatives, to develop an effective, integrated,

comprehensive system for the delivery of all necessary supports and

services to all individuals with developmental disabilities and to

create financing procedures and mechanisms to support such a system of

supports and services to ensure that all individuals with developmental

disabilities in need of supports and services receive appropriate and

timely supports and services close to their families and community. In

carrying out these responsibilities, the office and its commissioner

shall make full use of existing services in the community, including

those provided by voluntary and other service organizations, and within

annual amounts made available shall add in-home, residential and day

service and support capacity, to address the needs of individuals with

developmental disabilities.

Any provisions of this article which explicitly or implicitly apply

to, or reference, persons who are mentally retarded, shall be deemed to

apply to, or reference, persons with developmental disabilities.