2012 New York Consolidated Laws
EXC - Executive
Article 20 - (550 - 562) PROTECTION OF PEOPLE WITH SPECIAL NEEDS
554 - Codes of conduct.

 
    * §  554.  Codes  of  conduct.  1.  The justice center shall adopt and
  amend, as appropriate, codes of conduct for all custodians as defined in
  subdivision two of section  four  hundred  eighty-eight  of  the  social
  services  law  who  have  or  will  have regular and direct contact with
  vulnerable  persons  who  reside  in  or  receive  services  from   such
  facilities  or provider agencies. Such codes shall govern the conduct of
  such custodians with respect to  the  safety,  dignity  and  welfare  of
  vulnerable  persons  to whom they provide care. The justice center shall
  establish a process by which each custodian is provided with a  copy  of
  the  applicable  code  of conduct and is required, at the time of his or
  her initial employment, and at least annually thereafter, to acknowledge
  that he or she has read and  understands  such  code  of  conduct.  Such
  process  shall also provide for the enforcement of such codes consistent
  with appropriate collective bargaining agreements.
    2. Minimum requirements for codes of conduct. Such  codes  of  conduct
  shall  include, at a minimum: a. Provisions regarding the responsibility
  of such custodians to  support  the  emotional,  physical  and  personal
  well-being  of  the  vulnerable  persons  they  serve,  including  their
  protection from abuse and neglect, and to seek guidance  and  advice  to
  resolve  issues  as needed when making decisions relating to the persons
  they serve.
    b. Provisions regarding  the  responsibility  of  such  custodians  to
  assist the vulnerable persons they support to direct the course of their
  own  lives, honoring, where appropriate, their right to assume risk in a
  safe manner and recognizing their potential for  lifelong  learning  and
  growth.
    c.   Provisions   regarding   the   responsibility  of  custodians  to
  participate  in  available,  appropriate  training  to  maintain   their
  competency and skill-level, and to model and shape the behavior of their
  co-workers.
    d.  Provisions  regarding  the  responsibility  of  such custodians to
  promote and practice justice, fairness and  equity  for  the  vulnerable
  persons  they  support,  uphold and respect their human and civil rights
  and respect their human dignity and uniqueness.
    e. Provisions regarding  the  responsibility  of  such  custodians  to
  assist,  where  appropriate,  the  vulnerable  persons  they  support in
  developing and maintaining relationships with families, friends and  the
  community-at-large.
    f.  Provisions  regarding  the  responsibility  of  such custodians to
  advocate with and/or on behalf of the vulnerable  persons  they  support
  for  their  needs,  interest,  justice,  inclusion  and  full  community
  participation.
    g. Provisions requiring such custodians to report reportable incidents
  as required in section four hundred ninety-one of  the  social  services
  law.
    * NB Effective June 30, 2013