S 7792: Relates to protecting the communication rights of individuals with disabilities - New York

S7792B → S7792C · 4 edits

MODERATE

The bill was amended to expand the number of sponsoring senators and add a new committee referral step. Substantively, the core definition of communication rights was strengthened by requiring that communication supports be 'validated' through evidence-based methods, ensuring they have demonstrated results for the individual.

Scope change

The bill's scope regarding the number of sponsors and procedural steps was expanded, while the substantive scope of rights for individuals with disabilities was clarified and strengthened.

ELIGIBILITY

Added multiple new senators (including Addabbo, Ashby, Borrello, and others) to the list of bill sponsors.

REQUIREMENT

Added a requirement that communication supports must be 'validated,' meaning they must be evidence-based and empirically supported with demonstrated results.

DEFINITION

Modified the definition of communication rights to explicitly require 'autonomous' communication using 'validated' supports rather than just any supports.

TECHNICAL

Added a procedural step where the bill is recommitted to the Committee on Disabilities in accordance with Senate Rule 6, section 8.

S7792A → S7792B · 3 edits

MINOR

The bill was amended to add a second sponsor, Senator Skoufis, and significantly revised the core language regarding communication rights. The new version simplifies the text to focus on the right to use preferred communication methods and requires staff to 'acknowledge' these rights, whereas the previous version mandated that staff 'ensure and support' specific detailed rights like having trained staff available and receiving speech therapy.

Scope change

The bill's scope of applicability remains the same, but the specific obligations placed on staff and providers were narrowed and simplified in the revised text.

SCOPE

Senator Skoufis was added as a co-sponsor alongside Senator Fahy.

REQUIREMENT

The specific list of communication rights (such as the right to have trained staff available and the right to speech therapy) was removed and replaced with a general statement that staff must 'ensure and acknowledge' the right to use preferred communication supports.

The obligation on staff changed from actively 'ensuring and supporting' rights to simply 'ensuring and acknowledging' them, representing a reduction in the mandated level of active support.

S7792 → S7792A · 3 edits

MINOR

The bill was amended to restructure the definition of communication rights by removing the specific requirement that methods must be 'validated' by professional organizations and instead allowing individuals to use any method that meets their needs. The text was also reorganized to list these rights as a comprehensive set of obligations for staff and providers, while the effective date and committee assignment details were updated.

Scope change

The scope of eligible communication methods expanded from only those recognized by authoritative professional organizations to include any method that meets the individual's needs, removing the exclusion of techniques like facilitated communication.

DEFINITION

Removed the requirement that communication methods must be 'validated' by professional organizations or have empirical support, allowing individuals to use any preferred method.

REQUIREMENT

Restructured the bill to explicitly list six specific rights (including AAC, sign language, and assistive technology) as obligations for staff and providers to support.

TECHNICAL

Updated the bill number to include an 'A' suffix and changed the committee assignment status to indicate the bill was discharged, amended, and recommitted.

Relates to protecting the communication rights of individuals with disabilities

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