Bill > A02225

This bill prohibits public funding for any schools or programs that use aversive interventions on children, which are defined as interventions intended to cause pain or discomfort to reduce maladaptive behaviors. Such interventions include electric shock therapy, withholding basic needs like sleep or food, using painful stimuli, mechanical restraints, and other similar actions. The bill establishes comprehensive definitions for key terms like "child" (under 21 years old), "member agency", and "public funding", and specifies that certain interventions like voice control, token economies, and medically necessary actions are not considered aversive. Additionally, the bill creates a holistic autism spectrum disorder treatment center at SUNY Downstate Medical Center, which will focus on innovative, drug-minimizing treatments, emphasize complementary and alternative medicine, and serve as a research center for holistic autism therapies. The center is required to work with higher education institutions and research institutes to develop comprehensive treatment approaches, with the autism spectrum disorders advisory board responsible for recommending its budget and selecting its leadership. The bill is set to take effect on January 1, 2026, and includes a severability clause to ensure that if any part of the act is found invalid, the rest remains in force.

Education

https://www.nysenate.gov/legislation/bills/2025/A2225