2023 New York Laws › MHY - Mental Hygiene › Title D - Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Act › Article 19 - Office of Alcoholism and Substance Abuse › 19.45*2 - The Council for Treatment Equity.

* § 19.45 The council for treatment equity.
1. Definitions. As used in this section:
(a)  "Council" shall mean the council for treatment equity, within the
office of addiction services and  supports,  created  pursuant  to  this
section  which  shall  consist  of a director and any additional full or
part-time staff the  commissioner  deems  necessary  to  effectuate  the
provisions of this section.
(b)  "Vulnerable  populations"  shall  mean those who have experienced
injustices and disadvantages as  a  result  of  their  race,  ethnicity,
sexual   orientation,   gender   identity,   disability   status,   age,
socioeconomic status and/or any other status which has caused  a  person
to experience injustices and disadvantages.
(c)  "Racially and ethnically diverse areas" shall mean counties where
the non-white population is forty percent or more or the service area of
an agency, corporation, facility or individual providing  substance  use
disorder  services  where the non-white population of said area is forty
percent or more.
(d)  "Provider  of  services"  shall  mean  any  agency,  corporation,
facility  or  individual  providing  substance  use disorder services to
vulnerable populations.
(e) "Treatment  disparities"  shall  mean  measurable  differences  in
access  to  and quality of substance use disorder services as determined
by race, ethnicity,  sexual  orientation,  gender  identity,  disability
status, age and socioeconomic status.
(f)  "Treatment  equity"  shall  mean  achieving  the highest level of
substance use disorder services for all people and shall entail  focused
efforts to address avoidable inequalities by equalizing those conditions
for  substance  use  disorder  services  for those that have experienced
injustices and socioeconomic disadvantages.
2. The council for treatment equity. There is hereby  created,  within
the  office  of addiction services and supports, a council for treatment
equity. The council, in conjunction with the behavioral health  services
advisory council, shall have the following powers and duties:
(a)   Work   collaboratively   with  relevant  state  agencies,  local
governmental units as defined in article forty-one of this  chapter  and
other affected stakeholders, including, but not limited to, providers to
and   representatives   of  vulnerable  populations,  in  order  to  set
priorities to achieve treatment equity in  both  racial  and  ethnically
diverse areas and for vulnerable populations throughout the state;
(b)  Analyze  collected  data  to  determine  the  causes of treatment
disparities in both  racially  and  ethnically  diverse  areas  and  for
vulnerable  populations  throughout  the  state, including any economic,
physical, social or cultural barriers;
(c) Develop and implement  strategies  aimed  at  achieving  treatment
equity  in  racially  and  ethnically diverse areas and among vulnerable
populations;
(d)  Promote  community  involvement  by  conducting  promotional  and
educational  outreach  programs  regarding  substance  use disorders and
available services; and
(e) Review the impact of current laws,  rules,  regulations,  policies
and  programs  that  may  be  affecting the ability to achieve treatment
equity.
3. Report. The council shall submit a written report to the  governor,
the temporary president of the senate and the speaker of the assembly no
later  than  one  year succeeding the effective date of this section and
annually thereafter, setting forth  the  findings,  recommendations  and
activities  of the council on matters within the scope of its powers and
duties as set forth in this section.
* NB There are 2 § 19.45's