§ 244 — Transgender and non-binary (TGNB) wellness and equity program

§ 244. Transgender and non-binary (TGNB) wellness and equity program.\n1. The department, through the AIDS institute, shall establish and\noperate a transgender and non-binary (TGNB) wellness and equity program\nas authorized pursuant to this section. Such program shall be\nestablished by April first, two thousand twenty-three.\n 2. The transgender and non-binary (TGNB) wellness and equity program\nshall be designed to:\n (a) Increase the capacity of grassroots organizations working at the\nlocal level and ensure New York state invests in organizations serving\ntransgender, gender nonconforming, non-binary and intersex individuals.\n (b) Increase transgender, gender nonconforming, non-binary and\nintersex cultural competence by investing in cultural competency\nprograms or curriculums that are designed by, or in consultation with,\ntransgender, gender nonconforming, non-binary and intersex individuals.\n (c) Address inequities in current funding distribution for\norganizations serving transgender, gender nonconforming, non-binary and\nintersex individuals, including but not limited to organizations located\noutside of the city of New York.\n (d) Enable unemployed transgender, gender nonconforming, non-binary\nand intersex residents of New York to become gainfully employed\ntaxpayers through job training and job placement services provided by\norganizations serving transgender, gender nonconforming, non-binary and\nintersex individuals.\n (e) Foster new and emerging transgender, gender nonconforming,\nnon-binary and intersex leadership through capacity building support.\n (f) Decrease homelessness and increase access to social services by\ninvesting in organizations primarily serving transgender, gender\nnonconforming, non-binary and intersex individuals and that provide\nhousing solutions dedicated to transgender, gender nonconforming,\nnon-binary and intersex individuals.\n 3. Subject to appropriation, moneys in the transgender and non-binary\n(TGNB) wellness and equity program fund, pursuant to section\nninety-five-k of the state finance law, may be used for the following\npurposes:\n (a) Identifying community-based organizations involving and serving\ntransgender, gender nonconforming, non-binary and intersex individuals\nand providing them with grants to expand their existing work involving\nand serving transgender, gender nonconforming, non-binary and intersex\nindividuals.\n (b) Providing grants to organizations involving and serving\ntransgender, gender nonconforming, non-binary and intersex individuals\nto create supportive housing solutions and to identify, assist, and\nrefer transgender, gender nonconforming, non-binary and intersex\nresidents of New York state to supportive housing.\n (c) Creating or funding existing programs serving transgender, gender\nnonconforming, non-binary and intersex individuals that primarily\ncoordinate inclusive health care for individuals who identify as\ntransgender, gender nonconforming, non-binary or intersex.\n (d) Providing grants to organizations involving and serving\ntransgender, gender nonconforming, non-binary and intersex individuals\nto increase the capacity of health care professionals to effectively\nprovide gender affirming care. This includes the creation of educational\nmaterials or facilitation of capacity building training.\n (e) Providing grants for behavioral health services developed by, or\nin consultation with, transgender, gender nonconforming, non-binary and\nintersex individuals that offer mental health and substance use services\nfor transgender, gender nonconforming, non-binary and intersex youth,\nadults, seniors, and families.\n (f) Providing grants for educational and vocational training programs\ndeveloped by, or in consultation with, transgender, gender\nnonconforming, non-binary and intersex individuals to increase the\nemployment status and educational attainment level of transgender,\ngender nonconforming, non-binary and intersex residents of New York\nstate.\n (g) Providing funds to improve data collection on gender identity and\nexpression in New York state with a focus on transgender, gender\nnonconforming, non-binary and intersex residents of New York state and\ntheir needs.\n