Relates to the powers of the head of the office of mental health and the head of the office for people with developmental disabilities to promulgate rules regarding communications needs of non-English speakers seeking or receiving services; includes the provision of language services and documents in English and the twelve most common non-English languages spoken by individuals in New York State based on United States census data.
Summary
S10201 amends the Mental Hygiene Law to direct the Commissioner of Mental Health and the Commissioner for People with Developmental Disabilities to adopt rules addressing the language assistance and communication needs of non-English speaking individuals who seek or receive services in facilities operated or licensed by their offices. The bill specifically requires that documents, forms, and materials be made available in English and in the twelve most common non-English languages spoken in New York State, based on U.S. Census data, along with other reasonable accommodations for people with limited English proficiency.
The measure is aimed at improving access to mental health and developmental disability services by ensuring that language barriers do not prevent individuals from understanding or using available services. It applies to facilities overseen by the Office of Mental Health and the Office for People with Developmental Disabilities and takes effect immediately upon enactment.
Impact
The bill would expand and clarify the regulatory duties of the Office of Mental Health and the Office for People with Developmental Disabilities by requiring formal language-access rules for covered facilities. It would affect state-operated or licensed mental health and developmental disability providers, requiring translated documents and other communication accommodations for non-English speaking service users, particularly in the twelve most common non-English languages in New York.
Sentiment
No committee transcript or vote record is available, so there is no documented debate or recorded opposition in the provided materials. Based on the bill text, the measure appears to be framed as a service-access and equity initiative, with an emphasis on improving communication and reducing barriers for limited-English-proficient individuals.
Contention
The main policy issue is the scope and implementation of the language-access mandate, including the requirement to provide materials in the twelve most common non-English languages and to use other reasonable means of accommodation where significant numbers of non-English speakers are served. Potential points of contention would likely involve administrative burden, translation costs, and how the agencies determine which languages and facilities are covered, but no specific objections are reflected in the provided record.
Same As
Relates to the powers of the head of the office of mental health and the head of the office for people with developmental disabilities to promulgate rules regarding communications needs of non-English speakers
Relates to the powers of the head of the office of mental health and the head of the office for people with developmental disabilities to promulgate rules regarding communications needs of non-English speakers seeking or receiving services; includes the provision of language services and documents in English and the twelve most common non-English languages spoken by individuals in New York State based on United States census data.
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.
Requires the office of temporary and disability assistance to make available skimming warning signs in English and in the twelve languages most commonly spoken by limited English proficient individuals in the state; requires the department of social services to make available information regarding the state food stamp outreach program in English and in the twelve languages most commonly spoken by limited English proficient individuals in the state.
Requires any website or mobile application associated with an electronic benefit transfer system to be offered in the twelve most common non-English languages spoken by limited-English proficient individuals in the state, based on data in the most recent American Community Survey published by the United States Census Bureau.
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.
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.
Requires the commissioner of public health to post certain notices regarding food allergy awareness in the twelve most common non-English languages spoken by limited-English proficient individuals in the state.
Requires the commissioner of public health to post certain notices regarding food allergy awareness in the twelve most common non-English languages spoken by limited-English proficient individuals in the state.