NY A04921

Amends Mental Hygiene Law section 41.34 to expand grounds for objecting to community residential facilities to include group homes housing juvenile delinquents, outpatient clinics, and day treatment centers providing psychiatric and drug rehabilitation services.

Allows municipalities to object to facility establishment if concentration of community residential facilities would substantially alter the nature and character of the area, including consideration of intermediate care facilities, residential care facilities, and residential treatment facilities operated by state agencies.

Requires the Office for People with Developmental Disabilities to conduct a statewide and local municipal study of siting patterns for the specified facilities within 365 days of the law taking effect.

Directs OPDD to issue recommended guidelines for appropriate community concentration levels and minimum distances between community residential facilities based on the study findings.

Takes effect 180 days after becoming law.