Assemblyman Steve Labriola (R-Massapequa) has announced that the New York State Commission on Quality of Care for the Mentally Disabled's Surrogate Decision-Making Program (SDMC) is currently seeking additional volunteers to serve on medical hearing boards in Nassau County.

Labriola explained that SDMC volunteers sit on hearing panels and make determinations on major medical treatments for individuals who lack the capacity to make informed decisions for themselves. The panels serve as an alternative to the courts for issuing consent for major medical treatments on behalf of mentally disabled persons incapable of acting in their own best interests and who have no authorized family to provide informed consent on their behalf.

"Medical hearing panel volunteers perform a great service for the mentally disabled in New York state," said Labriola. "I encourage all those interested in mental health and family issues to consider volunteering with the SDMC for this important program."

Labriola added that the SDMC Hearing Panels are composed of four volunteers, one in each of the following categories: medical, attorney, family and advocate. Volunteers, who are trained free-of-charge by SDMC staff, hear testimony and make a determination on each request. Volunteers are appointed to two-year terms and are required to serve a minimum of one hearing per year. Travel expenses are reimbursed for the program's volunteers.

Anyone interested in becoming an SDMC volunteer panel member should contact Pamela Williams, supervisor of SDMC Training, at: (518) 381-7032.