Requires the office for people with developmental disabilities to produce and publish a report on staffing at state-operated institutions under the…

• Democratic3
• Republican2

◆ The sponsor's argument

Why Patricia Fahy says this is needed

The state of New York has embarked on a long-term effort to reduce staffing at all of its agencies. This impacts the availability and continuity of services for New Yorkers with intellectual and develop- mental disabilities, as well as other vulnerable populations. The reduction in staff is directly attributable to the imposition of "bare bones" budgeting at all of the state agencies that has been in place for years. This budgeting approach left the state ill-prepared to maintain the continuity of quality and safe service delivery, especially for New Yorkers located in congregate settings. As we have seen from the state's response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the public interest is best served by high-capacity state agencies that render needed services and which are staffed by talented, dedicated and professional public servants hired pursuant to the state's rigorous civil service system. It is clear that the State of New York needs to learn several lessons from this experi- ence. New York needs to develop greater capacity to deliver needed services and to address potential disasters and emergencies in a timely, effective, efficient, and cost-effective manner. This bill will help to improve quality of care by requiring reports to be provided to the legislature on staffing data and service needs both regionally and statewide. It will also help increase transparency and promote discussion among the stakeholders related to the suspension or reduction of services by requiring a report to the legislature prior to any closure or reduction of service.

This is the sponsor's own case for the bill, quoted from their memorandum. It is not Agora's description of what the bill does.