File #: Int 1259-2025    Version: * Name: Requiring basic training in behavioral support strategies for certain staff at juvenile detention facilities.
Type: Introduction Status: Committee
Committee: Committee on Children and Youth
On agenda: 4/24/2025
Enactment date: Law number:
Title: A Local Law to amend the administrative code of the city of New York, in relation to requiring basic training in behavioral support strategies for certain staff at juvenile detention facilities
Sponsors: Linda Lee, Farah N. Louis
Council Member Sponsors: 2
Summary: This bill would require that all direct service staff employed at juvenile detention facilities who are not professionally certified or licensed in mental health, behavioral analysis, medicine, or a similar field, to complete foundational training in behavioral support strategies. Such strategies include de-escalation and crisis prevention techniques, guidance on incorporating trauma-informed and culturally competent practices when addressing challenging behaviors, as well as basic principles for encouraging positive behaviors and learning. The bill would also require the commissioner of the New York City Department of Social Services to make the trainings, informational materials, and guidance to providers, including, but not limited to, community-based organizations that work directly with youth involved in the juvenile justice system.
Attachments: 1. Summary of Int. No. 1259, 2. Int. No. 1259, 3. April 24, 2025 - Stated Meeting Agenda

Int. No. 1259

 

By Council Members Lee and Louis

 

A Local Law to amend the administrative code of the city of New York, in relation to requiring basic training in behavioral support strategies for certain staff at juvenile detention facilities

 

Be it enacted by the Council as follows:

 

Section 1. Chapter 9 of title 21 of the administrative code of the city of New York is amended by adding a new section 21-925 to read as follows:

§ 21-925. Behavioral support training for direct service staff. a. Definitions. For purposes of this section, the following terms have the following meanings:

Behavioral support strategies. The term “behavioral support strategies” means evidence-based methods or techniques aimed at understanding, reinforcing, or redirecting behavior in a positive and non-punitive manner.

Direct service staff. The term “direct service staff” means any individual employed at a detention facility who has regular, direct contact with youth, but who does not hold a professional license or certification in mental health, behavior analysis, medicine, or a similar field.

b. Mandatory training. 1. No later than one year after the effective date of the local law that added this section, the commissioner shall require direct service staff at detention facilities to complete a foundational training in behavioral support strategies. Such training shall include, but need not be limited to:

(a) Basic principles of behavior and learning;

(b) Techniques for encouraging positive behaviors, including the use of positive reinforcement;

(c) Methods for de-escalation and crisis prevention that rely on non-punitive approaches; and

(d) Guidance on incorporating trauma-informed and culturally competent practices when addressing challenging behaviors.

2. The commissioner shall determine the minimum hours required and the acceptable format of such training, which may include in-person sessions, online modules, or a combination thereof. The commissioner may also require periodic refresher trainings to ensure continued competency.

3. Within one year after the date on which the commissioner establishes the training required by paragraph 1 of this subdivision, each direct service staff member employed at a detention facility on or before such date shall complete such training. Any individual who is hired as direct service staff after the date on which the commissioner establishes such training shall complete the training within a timeframe to be determined by the commissioner, but no later than one year after the individual’s date of hire.

c. Nothing in this section shall be construed to authorize direct service staff to engage in any activities that require a license or certification under title VIII of the education law. Such staff shall be limited to performing only those behavioral support functions permissible for non-licensed persons pursuant to section 8807 of the education law and any other applicable provisions of law.

d. The commissioner shall make the training and all informational materials and guidance that is developed or utilized for purposes of the training required by subdivision b of this section available to relevant providers, including, but not limited to, community-based organizations working with youth involved in the juvenile justice system, upon the provider’s request.

§ 2. This local law takes effect immediately.

 

JL/SOS

LS #18033/18092

4/8/2025 10:36am