This bill allows trained crisis responders assisting veterans and first responders during mental health emergencies (such as suicidal ideation or substance-related crises) to display a green flashing light on their vehicles. It specifically authorizes veterans, first responders, or certified peer specialists affiliated with approved crisis programs to use this light while responding to emergencies involving veterans or first responders. The green light is intended solely to increase visibility and request driver courtesy - **not** to grant special right-of-way privileges - and must comply with existing emergency vehicle lighting rules. The law applies to vehicles used by crisis responders during active mental health or suicide-prevention emergencies involving the targeted groups.
Directs the commissioner of mental health to establish a public awareness campaign concerning the dangers of social media and cell phone use by school-age children, including but not limited to the addictive qualities of social media, the stunting impact of social media usage on the development of social skills, increased feelings of isolation, anxiety and depression among adolescent users and the attendant amplification of peer on peer bullying, and increased rates of adolescent suicide and suicide attempts, as well as about how to recognize suicide risk factors and seek suicide prevention assistance.
Requires the inclusion of suicide prevention resources to be provided with a warrant of eviction, including the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline and the applicable Suicide Crisis telephone number as provided by the Office of Mental Health.
Requires the inclusion of suicide prevention resources to be provided with a warrant of eviction, including the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline and the applicable Suicide Crisis telephone number as provided by the Office of Mental Health.
Creates statewide emergency and crisis response council to work in conjunction with the commissioners of mental health and addiction services to jointly approve emergency and crisis services plans submitted by local governments, and provide supports regarding the operation and financing of high-quality emergency and crisis services provided to persons experiencing a mental health, alcohol use, or substance use crisis.
Authorizes the commissioner of mental health to establish up to three, three-year pilot programs in community behavioral health organizations for the purposes of creating social worker pilot programs to support the ongoing retention and recruitment of licensed clinical social workers.
This bill establishes a 5-year demonstration program in New York to train law enforcement officers in responding to mental health and substance use crises. It creates a dedicated "crisis intervention team training fund" (using federal/private grants) to support 40-hour mental health training for police officers and coordinate partnerships between law enforcement, mental health providers, and community advocates. The program requires a state coordinator to work with police departments, develop community partnerships, and provide alternatives to incarceration for individuals in crisis. An advisory committee with diverse stakeholders (including mental health consumers, families, and law enforcement) will review annual reports and make recommendations to state agencies. The program directly affects municipal police departments, mental health service providers, and individuals experiencing mental health or substance use crises.
Creates statewide emergency and crisis response council to work in conjunction with the commissioners of mental health and addiction services to jointly approve emergency and crisis services plans submitted by local governments, and provide supports regarding the operation and financing of high-quality emergency and crisis services provided to persons experiencing a mental health, alcohol use, or substance use crisis.
This bill repeals an existing mental health law section and replaces it with new rules for when mental health professionals (like doctors, psychologists, and social workers) must report patients who pose serious, immediate danger to themselves or others. It allows these professionals to disclose such dangers directly to the endangered person (if identifiable), law enforcement, and community service directors, with all disclosures documented in the patient's record. Community service directors must then report limited non-clinical details (like name) to criminal justice services solely to determine if a person's license (under penal law) should be suspended or if they're ineligible for firearm possession. The law also protects professionals from liability for good-faith disclosure decisions and explicitly excludes malice or intentional misconduct from this protection.
Requires the office of mental health to convene statewide forums and listening sessions in areas with high rates of death by suicide, suicide attempts, or other risk factors associated with suicide, and high risk minority groups or special populations.
