N.Y. Public Health Law § 244: Transgender and non-binary (TGNB) wellness and equity program

§ 244. Transgender and non-binary (TGNB) wellness and equity program.

1. The department, through the AIDS institute, shall establish and

operate a transgender and non-binary (TGNB) wellness and equity program

as authorized pursuant to this section. Such program shall be

established by April first, two thousand twenty-three.

2. The transgender and non-binary (TGNB) wellness and equity program

shall be designed to:

(a) Increase the capacity of grassroots organizations working at the

local level and ensure New York state invests in organizations serving

transgender, gender nonconforming, non-binary and intersex individuals.

(b) Increase transgender, gender nonconforming, non-binary and

intersex cultural competence by investing in cultural competency

programs or curriculums that are designed by, or in consultation with,

transgender, gender nonconforming, non-binary and intersex individuals.

(c) Address inequities in current funding distribution for

organizations serving transgender, gender nonconforming, non-binary and

intersex individuals, including but not limited to organizations located

outside of the city of New York.

(d) Enable unemployed transgender, gender nonconforming, non-binary

and intersex residents of New York to become gainfully employed

taxpayers through job training and job placement services provided by

organizations serving transgender, gender nonconforming, non-binary and

intersex individuals.

(e) Foster new and emerging transgender, gender nonconforming,

non-binary and intersex leadership through capacity building support.

(f) Decrease homelessness and increase access to social services by

investing in organizations primarily serving transgender, gender

nonconforming, non-binary and intersex individuals and that provide

housing solutions dedicated to transgender, gender nonconforming,

non-binary and intersex individuals.

3. Subject to appropriation, moneys in the transgender and non-binary

(TGNB) wellness and equity program fund, pursuant to section

ninety-five-k of the state finance law, may be used for the following

purposes:

(a) Identifying community-based organizations involving and serving

transgender, gender nonconforming, non-binary and intersex individuals

and providing them with grants to expand their existing work involving

and serving transgender, gender nonconforming, non-binary and intersex

individuals.

(b) Providing grants to organizations involving and serving

transgender, gender nonconforming, non-binary and intersex individuals

to create supportive housing solutions and to identify, assist, and

refer transgender, gender nonconforming, non-binary and intersex

residents of New York state to supportive housing.

(c) Creating or funding existing programs serving transgender, gender

nonconforming, non-binary and intersex individuals that primarily

coordinate inclusive health care for individuals who identify as

transgender, gender nonconforming, non-binary or intersex.

(d) Providing grants to organizations involving and serving

transgender, gender nonconforming, non-binary and intersex individuals

to increase the capacity of health care professionals to effectively

provide gender affirming care. This includes the creation of educational

materials or facilitation of capacity building training.

(e) Providing grants for behavioral health services developed by, or

in consultation with, transgender, gender nonconforming, non-binary and

intersex individuals that offer mental health and substance use services

for transgender, gender nonconforming, non-binary and intersex youth,

adults, seniors, and families.

(f) Providing grants for educational and vocational training programs

developed by, or in consultation with, transgender, gender

nonconforming, non-binary and intersex individuals to increase the

employment status and educational attainment level of transgender,

gender nonconforming, non-binary and intersex residents of New York

state.

(g) Providing funds to improve data collection on gender identity and

expression in New York state with a focus on transgender, gender

nonconforming, non-binary and intersex residents of New York state and

their needs.