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