Transgender and non-binary (TGNB) wellness and equity program

§ 244. Transgender and non-binary (TGNB) wellness and equity program. 1. The department, through the AIDS institute, shall establish and operate a transgender and non-binary (TGNB) wellness and equity program as authorized pursuant to this section. Such program shall be established by April first, two thousand twenty-three.

2. The transgender and non-binary (TGNB) wellness and equity program shall be designed to:

(a) Increase the capacity of grassroots organizations working at the local level and ensure New York state invests in organizations serving transgender, gender nonconforming, non-binary and intersex individuals.

(b) Increase transgender, gender nonconforming, non-binary and intersex cultural competence by investing in cultural competency programs or curriculums that are designed by, or in consultation with, transgender, gender nonconforming, non-binary and intersex individuals.

(c) Address inequities in current funding distribution for organizations serving transgender, gender nonconforming, non-binary and intersex individuals, including but not limited to organizations located outside of the city of New York.

(d) Enable unemployed transgender, gender nonconforming, non-binary and intersex residents of New York to become gainfully employed taxpayers through job training and job placement services provided by organizations serving transgender, gender nonconforming, non-binary and intersex individuals.

(e) Foster new and emerging transgender, gender nonconforming, non-binary and intersex leadership through capacity building support.

(f) Decrease homelessness and increase access to social services by investing in organizations primarily serving transgender, gender nonconforming, non-binary and intersex individuals and that provide housing solutions dedicated to transgender, gender nonconforming, non-binary and intersex individuals.

3. Subject to appropriation, moneys in the transgender and non-binary (TGNB) wellness and equity program fund, pursuant to section ninety-five-k of the state finance law, may be used for the following purposes:

(a) Identifying community-based organizations involving and serving transgender, gender nonconforming, non-binary and intersex individuals and providing them with grants to expand their existing work involving and serving transgender, gender nonconforming, non-binary and intersex individuals.

(b) Providing grants to organizations involving and serving transgender, gender nonconforming, non-binary and intersex individuals to create supportive housing solutions and to identify, assist, and refer transgender, gender nonconforming, non-binary and intersex residents of New York state to supportive housing.

(c) Creating or funding existing programs serving transgender, gender nonconforming, non-binary and intersex individuals that primarily coordinate inclusive health care for individuals who identify as transgender, gender nonconforming, non-binary or intersex.

(d) Providing grants to organizations involving and serving transgender, gender nonconforming, non-binary and intersex individuals to increase the capacity of health care professionals to effectively provide gender affirming care. This includes the creation of educational materials or facilitation of capacity building training.

(e) Providing grants for behavioral health services developed by, or in consultation with, transgender, gender nonconforming, non-binary and intersex individuals that offer mental health and substance use services for transgender, gender nonconforming, non-binary and intersex youth, adults, seniors, and families.

(f) Providing grants for educational and vocational training programs developed by, or in consultation with, transgender, gender nonconforming, non-binary and intersex individuals to increase the employment status and educational attainment level of transgender, gender nonconforming, non-binary and intersex residents of New York state.

(g) Providing funds to improve data collection on gender identity and expression in New York state with a focus on transgender, gender nonconforming, non-binary and intersex residents of New York state and their needs.