S 6153: Enacts "Ella's law"; requires care managers employed by or under contract with a care coordination organization to provide care management services to an individual unless such care manager has completed all training requirements.

  
  STATE OF NEW YORK ________________________________________________________________________ 6153 2025-2026 Regular Sessions  IN SENATE March 5, 2025 ___________ Introduced by Sen. SKOUFIS -- read twice and ordered printed, and when printed to be committed to the Committee on Disabilities AN ACT to amend the mental hygiene law, in relation to establishing a comprehensive training program for care managers employed by care coordination organizations 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 "Ella's law". 3 § 2. Section 13.23 of the mental hygiene law is amended by adding a 4 new subdivision (d) to read as follows: 5 (d) The office shall establish a comprehensive training program, in 6 conjunction with care coordination organizations and organizations that 7 advocate on behalf of individuals with developmental disabilities, for 8 care managers employed by care coordination organizations which such 9 care managers shall complete before working with clients. Such training 10 program shall include, but not be limited to: 11 1. Person-centered planning principles. 12 2. Effective communication strategies for individuals with develop- 13 mental disabilities, including but not limited to how to best include 14 and collaborate with people with developmental disabilities, their fami- 15 lies, and support networks in all communications, meetings, and deci- 16 sion-making to design and implement plans that enhance quality of life 17 and promote independence. 18 3. Understanding, respecting, and supporting the rights of individuals 19 with developmental disabilities including but not limited to voting 20 rights. 21 4. Cultural competence and sensitivity. 22 5. Advocacy skills for individuals with developmental disabilities. 23 6. Compliance with relevant laws and regulations pertaining to the 24 care of individuals with developmental disabilities. EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets [ ] is old law to be omitted. LBD02939-01-5 
 S. 6153 2 1 7. Knowledge of the health care system, available services, and 2 resources, as well as an understanding of how to navigate the system on 3 behalf of the individuals they serve. This shall include but not be 4 limited to knowledge of self-direction systems, cross-system services, 5 blended services, and the practices, programs, and services available to 6 individuals with developmental disabilities through the office, depart- 7 ment of health, and other New York state and federal agencies. This 8 shall also include knowledge of Medicaid benefits offered through the 9 office's waiver programs and their interaction with other Medicaid bene- 10 fits. 11 8. Identifying and connecting individuals with appropriate community 12 resources, financial assistance programs, and support services. 13 9. Skills in fostering collaboration and communication among members 14 of an individual's care team, including health care providers, social 15 services, and other stakeholders. 16 § 3. This act shall take effect on the one hundred eightieth day after 17 it shall have become a law. Effective immediately, the addition, amend- 18 ment and/or repeal of any rule or regulation necessary for the implemen- 19 tation of this act on its effective date are authorized to be made and 20 completed on or before such effective date.