S 8769 New York Senate · 2025 Regular Session

Provides confidentiality for communications arising out of law enforcement peer support counseling

This bill establishes legal confidentiality for conversations between police officers and peer support specialists during official counseling sessions. It directly affects law enforcement officers seeking mental health support and the peer support specialists who provide it. Key provisions prohibit disclosing session details unless there's a specific threat of suicide, self-harm, violence, or child abuse - allowing limited disclosure only to prevent harm. Officers must receive written notice before sessions explaining these confidentiality rules and exceptions. The law ensures peer support communications remain private except in clearly defined safety emergencies.
Bill status signed all 5 stages cleared
Introduction
Jan 2026
Committee Review
Jan 2026
Senate Passage
Jan 2026
Assembly Passage
Jan 2026
Signed into Law
Feb 2026
Introduced Jan 8, 2026 Signed Feb 13, 2026
Floor votes · Senate Jan 21, 2026 · Assembly Jan 28, 2026

How they voted

560
Passed · 5 other
Total votes 61
Jan 21, 2026
D Democratic39
35 Yea 4
89% Yea
R Republican22
21 Yea 1
95% Yea
Vote distribution
All Yea All Nay Mixed No data
Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions
11
Key actions
3
Committee
2
Feb 13, 2026
Signed into law
SIGNED CHAP.61
upper
Jan 28, 2026
Lower · Passed
PASSED ASSEMBLY
lower
Jan 21, 2026
Committee
REFERRED TO JUDICIARY
lower
Jan 21, 2026
Upper · Passed
PASSED SENATE
upper
Jan 8, 2026
Committee
REFERRED TO RULES
upper
1 primary · 0 co-sponsors

Sponsors

Role
Legislator
Party
State
District
P
Photo of James Skoufis
James Skoufis
DDemocratic
NY
42