ALBANY, NY (Erie News Now)--SOME LAWMAKERS ARE PUSHING FOR A BILL TO require WORKERS AT STATE AND PRIVATE AGENCIES SERVING DEVELOPMENTALLY DISABLED YOUNG PEOPLE AND ADULTS TO BE RETRAINED ON REPORTING INJURIES TO 911 OPERATORS. 

THE legislation, CURRENTLY STILL IN COMMITTEE, INTENDS TO FURTHER PREVENT INJURIES AND ABUSE TOWARDS PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES.  
 
THE BILL WOULD ALSO ENACT CRIMINAL PENALTIES FOR AGENCY STAFF AND CAREGIVERS THAT DO NOT REPORT INJURIES OR SUSPECTED ABUSE TO 911.  
 
THE BILL IS SPURRED FROM ADVOCATE MICHAEL CAREY, WHOSE 13-YEAR-OLD SON JONATHAN DIAGNOSED WITH AUTISM, DIED WHILE BEING CARED FOR AT A STATE-RUN FACILITY FOR THE DISABLED.  
 
CAREY RECOUNTS HIS SON DYING FROM EXCESSIVE RESTRAINTS THAT STOPPED HIS BREATHING WITHOUT AN EMERGENCY CALL BEING MADE.  
 
HE SAid THIS BILL WOULD HELP PREVENT THESE TYPE OF INCIDENTS FROM HAPPENING TO OTHER DISABLED CHILDREN.  
 
“It will end the discrimination of civil rights; it will save countless lives. It will force these facilities to finally provide safe care and services because they can’t cover up everything anymore once the calls get outside of their own facilities,” said Carey. 
 
THE BILL WOULD HAVE TO MAKE IT TO THE FLOOR SOON IF IT WERE TO PASS IN THE REMAINING HOURS LEFT OF LEGISLATIVE SESSION.