Authorizes surveillance cameras in group homes funded or operated by the office for people with developmental disabilities
Summary
A10036 would amend the Mental Hygiene Law to authorize the Office for People with Developmental Disabilities to install surveillance cameras with sound capability in public common areas of group homes it funds or operates. The covered areas include common living spaces, dining areas, hallways, classrooms, and time-out rooms in facilities serving children or adults with mental or physical disabilities.
The bill is framed as an immediate change to state law, giving OPWDD express authority to place audio-video surveillance in shared spaces of these residences. It does not appear to require cameras in every location, but it would permit their use in the specified common areas of group homes under the agency’s jurisdiction.
Impact
If enacted, the bill would add a new section to the Mental Hygiene Law and expand OPWDD’s authority over monitoring in group homes. It would affect operators, staff, residents, and visitors in state-funded or state-operated facilities by allowing surveillance in shared areas where residents receive services, potentially changing privacy expectations, facility oversight practices, and incident documentation in those homes.
Sentiment
No committee transcript or vote record is available, so there is no documented debate or recorded sentiment in the provided materials. Based on the bill text alone, the measure appears to be presented as a safety and oversight proposal for disability services settings, but the absence of discussion means support or opposition cannot be assessed from the record provided.
Contention
The main likely point of contention is the balance between resident safety and privacy. Supporters would likely emphasize abuse prevention, accountability, and better incident review in group homes, while opponents may raise concerns about constant audio surveillance in living environments, resident dignity, consent, and the potential chilling effect on daily life for people with disabilities and staff. Because no transcripts are provided, the specific positions of legislators, advocates, providers, or families are not documented here.
Requires a residential transition conference when a person with developmental disabilities transfers from one program run by a covered operator to another program run by a covered operator; defines terms; specifies certain persons who shall attend such conference; requires covered operators to complete a form summarizing such conference and to file the form with the office for people with developmental disabilities.
Expands the use of body scanners to facilities operated by the office of mental health and the office for people with developmental disabilities; establishes alternative methods of screening.
Expands the use of body scanners to facilities operated by the office of mental health and the office for people with developmental disabilities; establishes alternative methods of screening.
Requires the developmental disabilities advisory council to submit an annual comprehensive summary of information about its activities to the office for people with developmental disabilities' website, in an accessible format.
Requires the developmental disabilities advisory council to submit an annual comprehensive summary of information about its activities to the office for people with developmental disabilities' website, in an accessible format.
Requires the Commissioner of the Office for People with Developmental Disabilities to provide care for certain persons with developmental disabilities who have been admitted to hospitals or psychiatric facilities on an emergency basis.
Requires providers of residential services to developmentally disabled children to have electronic monitoring devices in the common areas of their residential facilities.
Directs the office for people with developmental disabilities to conduct a study on the feasibility of establishing, implementing and expanding additional housing models that support independent living for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities; requires the office to submit a report on such study to the governor, the temporary president of the senate and the speaker of the assembly.
Ensures that the office of mental health and the office for people with developmental disabilities provide materials to individuals in English and the top six languages spoken in the state.
Establishes a pilot program in partnership with a nonprofit organization to improve equity and efficiency in housing for people with developmental disabilities by encouraging shared housing.