NY A07961

Requires the Commissioner of Mental Health to submit a written report to the legislature at least 365 days before seeking closure of any state-operated hospital, research institute, or facility under the Office for People with Developmental Disabilities, including justification for the proposed closure.

Grants the legislature or its appropriate committees authority to block facility closures if they find the proposed closure is not justified, unless approved by majority vote of both houses.

Mandates the commissioner confer with the Department of Civil Service and Governor's Office of Employee Relations to develop strategies minimizing workforce impacts through state employment assistance, retraining, and redeployment programs.

Requires consultation with the Department of Economic Development to minimize impacts on local and regional economies and with the Office of General Services to identify alternative uses for vacated state properties.

Applies similar closure approval requirements to the Office of Children and Family Services for secure or limited secure facility closures, with identical 365-day advance notice and legislative approval provisions.