Senator John J. Bonacic (R/C/I-Mt. Hope) announced that legislation he supported to protect individuals with developmental disabilities has been signed into law by Governor Andrew Cuomo. 

     The legislation allocates up to $90 million in funding for the State’s Office for People With Developmental Disabilities (OPWDD) nonprofit providers to cover any funding shortages that result from recommendations developed by the OPWDD work group. The OPWDD work group was created in response to reductions in federal aid funding to develop a cost savings plan without compromising the quality of care patients receive. 

     The funding ensures that vital services for individuals with developmental disabilities will still be protected even if the OPWDD work group's recommendations do not yield the projected savings.

     “Individuals with developmental disabilities are among the most vulnerable members of our community. They depend on a number of critically important services every day. This law will ensure those important services remain available and that individuals with developmental disabilities will still have access to proper care,” said Senator Bonacic.