Requires the state university of New York and the city university of New York to adopt certain provisions related to student mental health such as administering student mental health surveys, establishing a mental health committee, administering mental health training to faculty and staff, and improving university policies regarding mental health.
This bill creates regulations for sharing mental health records of deceased patients in facilities operated by New York's Office of Mental Health. It allows family members, personal representatives, or healthcare providers involved in the patient's care to access records upon written request, while respecting any prior expressed wishes of the deceased. The regulations must align with federal privacy laws (HIPAA) and define "family member" for the purpose of record sharing. It directly affects families and healthcare providers seeking information about deceased patients in state mental health facilities.
Directs the commissioner of the office of mental health and the director of the state office for the aging shall establish a mental home health services program for the aging to facilitate access to mental home health services to respond to identified mental health needs, including those needs that may have resulted from the COVID-19 pandemic, and for the aging or families that may not have access to mental health professionals in-person; makes related provisions.
This bill prevents state departments from restricting the number of people with serious mental illness living in qualifying adult homes. It applies only to adult homes that meet four specific requirements: being nonprofit, operating a full continuum of housing services, regularly assessing residents' needs, and providing targeted mental health supports like independent living skills training and community integration. The bill defines "serious mental illness" using DSM-IV-TR criteria for severe, long-term conditions causing substantial functional disability. It takes effect immediately upon enactment and was referred to the Health committee on March 24, 2025.
This bill (S 8082) requires New York's mental health commissioner to create regulations allowing family members to access specific records of deceased residents at mental health facilities upon written request. The records include basic details (name, dates of admission/discharge/birth/death, cause of death), treatment history, employment, and residential history. It prohibits releasing records if the deceased had previously and formally objected in writing, and allows a qualified person (as defined in existing law) to object on behalf of someone who lacked decision-making capacity. The bill also permits physicians to request records for family members with a demonstrated medical need related to their own health care.
Establishes a school-based mental health loan repayment program to aid youth mental health practitioners; provides for awards up to thirty thousand dollars to eligible applicants who agree to four years of service in underserved schools.
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.
Provides that a mental health certificate shall be requested from each student at the same time health certificates are required; provides that an assessment and mental health history of any child may be requested by the local school authorities at any time in their discretion to promote the educational interests of such child; makes related provisions.
Relates to improving student mental health and mental health literacy in institutions of higher education in the state; requires the amendment or adoption of related protocols, policies and programs in SUNY, CUNY and independent institutions of higher education.
Directs the office of mental health to develop materials relating to suicide prevention and identifying signs of depression for school-aged children; authorizes school districts to include suicide prevention in health class curriculum.
