Hochul signs legislative package aimed to help people with disabilities

ROCHESTER, N.Y. (WHEC) — Gov. Kathy Hochul Tuesday signed a package of legislation that she says will help people with disabilities.

One of the bills requires that people with disabilities be able to have a support person with them when they’re in the hospital for the duration of their stay, even during a pandemic or disaster emergency.

Another bill changes who appoints members to the developmental disabilities advisory council and another requires that council to evaluate how New York State’s response to the COVID-19 state disaster emergency impacted people with disabilities.

The last one requires the president of the Civil Service Commission to conduct a study on the employment of persons and veterans with disabilities by the state.

This comes after an investigation by News10NBC Chief Investigative Reporter Berkeley Brean. He’s been looking into issues since the residents of 11 Finger Lakes group homes were relocated due to what the Office for People With Developmental Disabilities says are temporary closures since Thanksgiving.