S 10718: Enacts the "Prader-Willi syndrome residential stabilization and best-practice support act" in relation to providing services to individuals with Prader-Willi syndrome.

  
  STATE OF NEW YORK ________________________________________________________________________ 10718  IN SENATE October 7, 2026 ___________ Introduced by Sen. WEBER -- read twice and ordered printed, and when printed to be committed to the Committee on Rules AN ACT to amend the mental hygiene law, in relation to enacting the "Prader-Willi syndrome residential stabilization and best-practice support act" The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assem- bly, do enact as follows: 1 Section 1. Short title. This act shall be known and may be cited as 2 the "Prader-Willi syndrome residential stabilization and best-practice 3 support act". 4 § 2. The mental hygiene law is amended by adding a new section 13.44 5 to read as follows: 6 § 13.44 Prader-Willi syndrome residential stabilization and best-prac- 7 tice support. 8 (a) The office shall: 9 1. recognize Prader-Willi syndrome as a distinct, high-need subpopu- 10 lation of individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities; 11 2. develop and approve Prader-Willi syndrome-specific residential 12 models under existing certified settings such as individualized residen- 13 tial alternatives and supportive housing, including the development of 14 specialized, small-scale homes for individuals with Prader-Willi 15 syndrome operated by certified providers; and 16 3. establish training and operational standards consistent with best 17 practices for Prader-Willi syndrome, including such standards related to 18 food security, medical monitoring, and behavioral support. 19 (b) The office shall utilize existing funding mechanisms, including 20 Medicaid waiver services, to carry out the provisions of subdivision (a) 21 of this section. 22 (c) The department of health shall: 23 1. support medical necessity determinations for specialized Prader- 24 Willi syndrome residential services; 25 2. coordinate Medicaid reimbursable components, such as nursing over- 26 sight, nutritional management, and behavioral health supports; and EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets [ ] is old law to be omitted. LBD14746-01-6 
 S. 10718 2 1 3. ensure Prader-Willi syndrome-specific residential models align with 2 public health and safety standards. 3 (d) Targeted capital support necessary to provide for the provisions 4 of this section, including for pilot homes and adaptive renovations, 5 shall be subject to approval by the division of the budget. 6 (e) Actions taken pursuant to this section shall emphasize cost avoid- 7 ance and reducing expenditures associated with crisis placements, insti- 8 tutionalization, and out-of-state services. 9 § 3. This act shall take effect immediately.