* § 13.43 Disabilities identification card.

Terms Used In N.Y. Mental Hygiene Law 13.43*2

  • commissioner: means the head of the office for people with developmental disabilities. See N.Y. Mental Hygiene Law 13.03
  • Guardian: A person legally empowered and charged with the duty of taking care of and managing the property of another person who because of age, intellect, or health, is incapable of managing his (her) own affairs.
  • office: means the office for people with developmental disabilities. See N.Y. Mental Hygiene Law 13.03

(a) The commissioner shall develop an identification card denoting that a person has been medically diagnosed with a developmental disability. Such identification card may be presented to law enforcement, firefighters and emergency medical services personnel as necessary.

(b) Upon the request of a person with developmental disabilities, or the guardian or caregiver of such person, the office shall issue such developmental disabilities identification card in accordance with eligibility and documentation criteria established by the office for a fee to be determined by the commissioner.

(c) The front of such card shall indicate that it has been issued by the office pursuant to this section and shall include:

(1) the card bearer's name;

(2) the card bearer's address;

(3) the card bearer's date of birth; and

(4) the following statement: "I HAVE A DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITY. I MAY HAVE DIFFICULTY UNDERSTANDING AND FOLLOWING YOUR DIRECTIONS OR MAY BECOME UNABLE TO RESPOND. I MAY BECOME PHYSICALLY AGITATED IF YOU PROMPT ME VERBALLY OR TOUCH ME OR MOVE TOO CLOSE TO ME. A DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITY IS NOT AN EXCUSE FOR ILLEGAL BEHAVIOR. I AM NOT INTENTIONALLY REFUSING TO COOPERATE. I MAY NEED YOUR ASSISTANCE. PLEASE SEE THE BACK OF THIS CARD."

(d) The back of such card shall include:

(1) at the card bearer's discretion, the name and phone number of an individual designated by such card bearer to be contacted in case of emergency; and

(2) a designated space where such card bearer may include any additional information.

* NB There are 2 § 13.43's

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