NY A06071

Establishes a voluntary electronic monitoring program administered by the Commissioner of Mental Hygiene in consultation with the Division of Criminal Justice Services to help locate children with developmental disabilities who are lost or missing.

Defines eligible applicants as parents, grandparents, adult siblings, or qualified guardians of children diagnosed with developmental disabilities, and defines electronic monitoring devices as GPS, radio, cellular, or satellite-based tracking systems.

Requires nonprofits or local governmental units to issue monitoring devices to eligible applicants upon request for a fee determined by the commissioner, with eligibility criteria requiring active involvement of the child when capable of informed decision-making.

Mandates that all applicant and child information remain confidential and cannot be disclosed except when the eligible applicant provides written consent for release in cases where law enforcement is sought to locate a missing child.

Requires the Division of Criminal Justice Services to provide recommendations to law enforcement agencies regarding developmental disabilities and appropriate response techniques, including guidance on using electronic monitoring devices to locate children with developmental disabilities.