Healthcare (Mental Health)

in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 3670: Establishes a statewide emergency and crisis response council

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.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareCreates council to jointly approve mental health/substance use crisis services plans, strengthening access to emergency care and supporting crisis response systems.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Mental Health Substance Abuse

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in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 5636: Relates to reports of substantial risk or threat of harm by mental health professionals; repealer

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.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareClarifies mental health professionals' reporting duties for immediate danger, enhancing crisis response and patient/public safety within healthcare services.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Mental Health

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in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 988: Requires the office of mental health to convene forums and listening sessions in areas with high rates of death by suicide, suicide attempts, or other risk factors associated with suicide

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.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill mandates mental health forums in high-risk areas to address suicide, supporting mental health services and prevention efforts.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Mental Health

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in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 5554: Relates to requiring certain fees be deposited into the mental illness anti-stigma fund

Bill A 5554 changes where certain application fees are deposited within the state budget. It requires that fees paid for operating certificates, which are necessary for mental hygiene service providers, be directed into the mental illness anti-stigma fund. Previously, these fees were deposited into the state's general fund. This bill ensures that funds collected from these applications specifically support efforts to combat the stigma surrounding mental illness.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesRedirects existing application fees from general fund to mental illness anti-stigma fund, explicitly funding a public health initiative within state budget management.90% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareRedirects application fees from mental hygiene providers into anti-stigma fund, directly funding mental health stigma reduction efforts.95% confidence

Sub-Topics State Budget Mental Health

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in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 1005: Provides mental telehealth services to children, adolescents, and young adults

Establishes a youth mental telehealth services program to facilitate access to mental health services, including substance use disorder services, for youth to respond to identified mental health needs.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareEstablishes youth mental telehealth program improving access to mental health services including substance use disorder treatment, directly advancing healthcare access for vulnerable populations.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Mental Health Substance Abuse Telehealth

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in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 4728: Relates to certain notices and guidelines regarding mental health and wellness of employees

Directs the commissioner of labor to create and distribute to employers a poster, pamphlet, or other written materials regarding mental health and wellness of employees to be posted in the workplace; directs voluntary guidelines for employers to put in place strategies and programs to support the mental health and wellness of their employees.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareDirects creation of mental health wellness materials and voluntary employer programs, supporting workplace mental health services95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentDirects employers to provide mental health resources and voluntary wellness programs, advancing workplace wellness standards under employment protections.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Mental Health

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in committee · New York · Senate Jun 1, 2026

S 8429: Relates to holders of certain operating certificates authorized to provide behavioral analysis services, or to employ or contract with applied behavior analysts and mental health counselors

Authorizes holders of certain operating certificates for treatment of persons with developmental disabilities to provide behavioral analysis services, so long as the professional providing such services is operating within their scope of practice; authorizes holders of such operating certificates to employ or contract with applied behavior analysts and mental health counselors.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareAuthorizes employment of mental health counselors and applied behavior analysts in developmental disability care, expanding access to mental health services.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Mental Health

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in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 2719: Relates to enacting the "empire state of mind act" relating to the treatment of mentally ill persons; repealer

Enacts the "empire state of mind act" relating to the treatment of mentally ill persons in the realm of treatment in mental health and addiction services facilities, the penal system and social services.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareEnacts 'Empire State of Mind Act' for mental health treatment in facilities, penal system, and social services, advancing mental health care access and services.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Mental Health Substance Abuse

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in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 5545: Provides for qualified mental health associates

Directs the office of mental health to establish programs for the training and development of persons capable of providing coaching and support to individuals under treatment plans developed by licensed mental health practitioners, including but not limited to a process of issuing, either directly or through contract, credentials for qualified mental health associates.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareEstablishes training programs for mental health associates to expand support services under licensed practitioners, strengthening mental health care access and infrastructure.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Mental Health

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in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 7045: Establishes a co-occurring disorders patient bill of rights; appropriation

Establishes a co-occurring disorders patient bill of rights to be implemented by various agencies; requires a five-year plan for implementing such bill of rights.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareEstablishes patient rights for co-occurring disorders, directly protecting mental health care access and treatment standards under healthcare policy.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Mental Health

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