Opinion ID: 718736
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: The TCF Statute.

Text: 7 In 1994, New York State enacted a statute, effective January 1, 1995, that undertook to place these arrangements on a different footing (the TCF Statute). 1994 N.Y.Laws 600; id. § 17 (effective date). Section 3 of the TCF Statute, codified at N.Y.Soc.Serv.L. §§ 466 to 466-b (McKinney Supp.1996), provides for an increase from 50% to 60% in the State's TCF reimbursements to localities in respect of the out-of-state placements; the eventual phase-out of the out-of-state placements; and the State's assumption by 1999 of 100% funding for individuals still left in out-of-state placements. 1 N.Y.Soc.Serv.L. § 466(2), (5), (6). To effect the transition from out-of-state to in-state placements, the statute directs the New York State Office for Mental Retardation and Developmental Disabilities (the OMRDD) and the New York State Office of Mental Hygiene (the OMH) to arrange transfers to appropriate in-state adult care facilities, and establishes a system of administrative hearings for challenges that guardians may make concerning the appropriateness of proposed transfers. 2 8 As to each individual, TCF payments would end after an appropriate available in-state adult placement is offered and is either (i) accepted, or (ii) rejected by a guardian but thereafter found to be appropriate in an administrative hearing. Before an in-state placement is found, the TCF Statute provides that counties and localities may expend funds to provide transitional care, which shall be subject to state reimbursement at the rate of 60%. Id. § 466(2) (emphasis added). On or after January 1, 1999, all expenditures related to transitional care for persons remaining in such care at that time shall become the sole responsibility of the OMRDD or the OMH, as the case may be. Id. § 466(6). Under this mechanism, the State agencies pay 100% of the in-state residential costs (as they did before the enactment of the TCF Statute); reimburse localities for 60% of the out-of-state residential costs until 1999; and pay for 100% of the out-of-state placements remaining in 1999. 9 Section 16 of the TCF Statute categorically disclaims any entitlement: 10 No provision of this act shall be deemed or construed to create any right, interest, or entitlement for any individual to receive mental hygiene, education or social services funds or services, or placement in a mental hygiene facility, or any other right, interest or entitlement to services, funds or placement. 11 1994 N.Y. 600 § 16 (codified as a statutory note following N.Y.Soc.Serv.L. § 466). 12