§ 231 Jurisdiction over intellectually disabled children

If a child in front of the family court seems to have an intellectual disability, the judge has the power to order an evaluation. This evaluation follows the process set out in New York's mental hygiene law, not just the judge's own opinion.

If the evaluation confirms the child has an intellectual disability under that law's definition, the judge can then place the child into care under the mental hygiene law's rules. This means the case can move from a standard family court matter into a system designed to support people with intellectual disabilities.

In short, this rule gives family court judges a way to connect a child with the right kind of care when a disability is suspected, instead of handling the case as they normally would.