New York Laws
Article 20 - 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.