§ 19.40 Provision of chemical dependence services.

(a) Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the office shall have the authority to issue a single operating certificate for the provision of chemical dependence services to providers of alcoholism and/or substance abuse services previously certified or licensed pursuant to articles twenty-three and/or thirty-one of this chapter and who are deemed by the commissioner to meet applicable requirements of article thirty-two of this chapter and operating regulations promulgated thereunder. The commissioner shall have the authority to waive any requirements deemed to be duplicative or unnecessary to implement the provisions of this subdivision.

(b) Certificates of approval and operating certificates previously issued under article twenty-three and/or thirty-one of this chapter shall remain in full force and effect until they are converted to operating certificates for the provision of chemical dependence services pursuant to this chapter. Conversion shall occur upon promulgation of applicable chemical dependence operating regulations by the commissioner, taking into consideration time which is reasonably needed by providers of services to come into compliance with such applicable regulations.

(c) All providers of chemical dependence services issued operating certificates pursuant to this section shall be subject to all provisions of this chapter applicable to providers of alcoholism services and to all provisions of this chapter applicable to providers of substance abuse services.

(d) Providers of chemical dependence services not previously certified or licensed pursuant to articles twenty-three and/or thirty-one of this chapter shall be certified for the provision of such services pursuant to article thirty-two of this chapter.