N.Y. Mental Hygiene Law § 19.45*2: The council for treatment equity

* § 19.45 The council for treatment equity.

1. Definitions. As used in this section:

(a) "Council" shall mean the council for treatment equity, within the

office of addiction services and supports, created pursuant to this

section which shall consist of a director and any additional full or

part-time staff the commissioner deems necessary to effectuate the

provisions of this section.

(b) "Vulnerable populations" shall mean those who have experienced

injustices and disadvantages as a result of their race, ethnicity,

sexual orientation, gender identity, disability status, age,

socioeconomic status and/or any other status which has caused a person

to experience injustices and disadvantages.

(c) "Racially and ethnically diverse areas" shall mean counties where

the non-white population is forty percent or more or the service area of

an agency, corporation, facility or individual providing substance use

disorder services where the non-white population of said area is forty

percent or more.

(d) "Provider of services" shall mean any agency, corporation,

facility or individual providing substance use disorder services to

vulnerable populations.

(e) "Treatment disparities" shall mean measurable differences in

access to and quality of substance use disorder services as determined

by race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability

status, age and socioeconomic status.

(f) "Treatment equity" shall mean achieving the highest level of

substance use disorder services for all people and shall entail focused

efforts to address avoidable inequalities by equalizing those conditions

for substance use disorder services for those that have experienced

injustices and socioeconomic disadvantages.

2. The council for treatment equity. There is hereby created, within

the office of addiction services and supports, a council for treatment

equity. The council, in conjunction with the behavioral health services

advisory council, shall have the following powers and duties:

(a) Work collaboratively with relevant state agencies, local

governmental units as defined in article forty-one of this chapter and

other affected stakeholders, including, but not limited to, providers to

and representatives of vulnerable populations, in order to set

priorities to achieve treatment equity in both racial and ethnically

diverse areas and for vulnerable populations throughout the state;

(b) Analyze collected data to determine the causes of treatment

disparities in both racially and ethnically diverse areas and for

vulnerable populations throughout the state, including any economic,

physical, social or cultural barriers;

(c) Develop and implement strategies aimed at achieving treatment

equity in racially and ethnically diverse areas and among vulnerable

populations;

(d) Promote community involvement by conducting promotional and

educational outreach programs regarding substance use disorders and

available services; and

(e) Review the impact of current laws, rules, regulations, policies

and programs that may be affecting the ability to achieve treatment

equity.

3. Report. The council shall submit a written report to the governor,

the temporary president of the senate and the speaker of the assembly no

later than one year succeeding the effective date of this section and

annually thereafter, setting forth the findings, recommendations and

activities of the council on matters within the scope of its powers and

duties as set forth in this section.

* NB There are 2 § 19.45's