(a) The commissioner shall establish policy and procedures for the organization, administration, and service delivery system under his or her jurisdiction and shall make provision for the effective rendition of supports and services to individuals with developmental disabilities.

(b) There shall be, within the state operations offices of the office, the developmental disabilities services offices named below serving the areas either currently or previously served by a school, for the care and treatment of persons with developmental disabilities and for research and teaching in the science and skills required for the care and treatment of such persons with developmental disabilities: Bernard M. Fineson Developmental Disabilities Services Office Brooklyn Developmental Disabilities Services Office Broome Developmental Disabilities Services Office Capital District Developmental Disabilities Services Office Central New York Developmental Disabilities Services Office Finger Lakes Developmental Disabilities Services Office Institute for Basic Research in Developmental Disabilities Hudson Valley Developmental Disabilities Services Office Metro New York Developmental Disabilities Services Office Long Island Developmental Disabilities Services Office Sunmount Developmental Disabilities Services Office Taconic Developmental Disabilities Services Office Western New York Developmental Disabilities Services Office Staten Island Developmental Disabilities Services Office The New York State Institute for Basic Research in Developmental Disabilities is designated as an institute for the conduct of medical research and other scientific investigation directed towards furthering knowledge of the etiology, diagnosis, treatment and prevention of developmental disabilities.

(c) The commissioner shall establish, at his or her discretion, developmental disabilities regional offices and shall establish state operations offices that provide for the direct delivery of supports and services by the office for people with developmental disabilities.

(c) The commissioner may authorize other offices of the department and any public or private non-profit organization or political subdivision of the state to deliver supports and services to individuals with developmental disabilities, not inconsistent with the programs and objectives of the office in any facility under his jurisdiction. The commissioner may permit any facility under his jurisdiction to operate programs for persons with mental disabilities, not inconsistent with programs and objectives of the department, under contracts or agreements with other offices within the department. * (d) In the event of a closure or transfer of a state-operated individualized residential alternative (IRA), the commissioner shall: 1. provide appropriate and timely notification to the temporary president of the senate, and the speaker of the assembly, and to appropriate representatives of impacted labor organizations. Such notification to the representatives of impacted labor organizations shall be made as soon as practicable, but no less than ninety days prior to such closure or transfer except in the case of exigent circumstances impacting the health, safety, or welfare of the residents of the IRA as determined by the office. Provided, however, that nothing herein shall limit the ability of the office to effectuate such closure or transfer; and 2. make reasonable efforts to confer with the affected workforce and any other party he or she deems appropriate to inform such affected workforce, the residents of the IRA, and their family members, where appropriate, of the proposed closure or transfer plan. * NB Repealed March 31, 2020