2013 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.