Requires annual audits of the use of statewide opioid settlement funds by the office of alcoholism and substance abuse.
Summary
This bill would require annual independent audits of the use of statewide opioid settlement funds by the Office of Addiction Services and Supports (OASAS). It creates a new section of the Mental Hygiene Law directing the state comptroller, the attorney general, and independent certified public accountants selected through a competitive process to review the office’s internal controls, report on whether those controls are functioning effectively, and identify any weaknesses or uncorrected deficiencies. The audits must follow generally accepted government auditing standards, and the results, including management letters, must be made public.
The bill also amends related provisions in the Mental Hygiene Law, State Finance Law, and Executive Law to align existing audit authority with this new annual requirement. It requires OASAS and related officials to provide books and records relevant to the audits, and it specifies that statewide opioid settlement audits are to be conducted annually. The measure takes effect immediately.
Impact
The bill would add a new statutory audit mandate for statewide opioid settlement funds and expand the audit-related duties of the comptroller, attorney general, and OASAS. It would not directly change eligibility for services or the distribution formula for opioid settlement money, but it would increase oversight, transparency, and reporting obligations for how those funds are managed and spent. State agencies involved in opioid settlement administration would need to cooperate with annual audits and public disclosure requirements.
Sentiment
The available context suggests the bill is framed as a government accountability measure, with an emphasis on transparency and oversight of opioid settlement dollars. Because there are no committee transcripts or recorded votes provided, there is no direct evidence of support or opposition in the legislative record supplied here. Based on the text alone, the bill appears to be presented in a neutral-to-positive oversight posture rather than as a controversial policy change.
Contention
The main point of contention, if any, would likely be whether annual independent audits are necessary or duplicative of existing oversight mechanisms, and whether the added audit requirements could impose administrative burdens on OASAS and related offices. Another possible issue is the scope of public disclosure, since the bill requires audit results and management letters to be made public. No specific objections or supporters are identified in the provided materials.
Includes interest earned on the monies obtained by the state through the statewide opioid settlement agreement, in the opioid settlement fund; requires any New York subdivision that receives funds pursuant to an opioid settlement agreement to spend interest earned on such funds on approved uses.
Includes interest earned on the monies obtained by the state through the statewide opioid settlement agreement, in the opioid settlement fund; requires any New York subdivision that receives funds pursuant to an opioid settlement agreement to spend interest earned on such funds on approved uses.
Requires the report on statewide opioid settlements include the amount of funds that have been spent and requires the public be provided information on how much funds have been spent.
Clarifies that certain provisions related to statewide opioid settlement agreements shall cover settlements and releases related to any entities involved in the prescription drug marketing, supply and payment chain that may have contributed to the opioid epidemic through illegal conduct.
Reforms the opioid settlement board to provide services and supports to grieving families and include board members who lost a child, sibling, parent or close family member to substance use disorder.