Healthcare (Mental Health)

passed both · New York · Assembly Jun 4, 2026

A 9600: Includes avoidant/restrictive food intake disorders as eating disorders for the purposes of mental health

This bill expands the legal definition of "eating disorder" in New York State law to explicitly include avoidant/restrictive food intake disorder (ARFID), alongside existing conditions like anorexia and bulimia. It updates two key laws: Section 30.02 of the Mental Hygiene Law (which defines eating disorders) and Section 207 of the Public Health Law (which governs awareness programs). By adding ARFID to the definition, the bill ensures individuals with this condition qualify for mental health services and support programs currently available for other recognized eating disorders. The change directly affects people diagnosed with ARFID who seek mental health care, aligning state policy with current medical diagnostic standards. The bill takes effect immediately upon enactment.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareExpands mental health coverage by including ARFID in legal definition, ensuring access to services previously excluded under existing mental health laws.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Mental Health Public Health

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in committee · New York · Senate Feb 3, 2026

S 8759: Requires the state office for the aging to publish a "Guide to Actions When Someone Close Dies"

This bill requires New York's State Office for the Aging to create and publish a "Guide to Actions When Someone Close Dies" within one year. The guide must cover practical information on economic security (pensions, insurance, taxes), legal steps (death certificates, wills), mental health support for grief, funeral arrangements and costs, and other relevant resources. It directly affects New Yorkers experiencing bereavement by providing a centralized, accessible resource during a difficult time. The guide will be available online and optionally in print, developed with input from experts in funeral services, mental health, law, and tax fields. The bill is procedural, focusing on creating a reference tool rather than changing existing laws.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMental health support for grief is explicitly required in the guide, aligning with healthcare support indicators for mental health services.65% confidence

Sub-Topics Mental Health

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signed · New York · Senate Feb 13, 2026

S 8769: 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.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill establishes confidentiality for police peer support counseling, promoting officer mental health and accountability - key aspects of criminal justice reform.85% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill protects mental health counseling confidentiality for police officers, removing barriers to access and aligning with mental health service support indicators.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentConfidentiality protects law enforcement officers' access to mental health support, enhancing workplace safety and workers' rights in high-stress roles without restricting protections.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Law Enforcement Policing Mental Health

in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 8618: Enacts the "behavioral health transportation access act"

Enacts the "behavioral health transportation access act", in relation to establishing a transportation assistance voucher demonstration program for certain outpatient mental health and substance use disorder services.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareEstablishes transportation vouchers for outpatient mental health/substance use disorder services, directly improving patient access to care as per healthcare topic definition.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Mental Health Substance Abuse

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in committee · New York · Assembly May 20, 2026

A 9321: Relates to supervision by certain marriage and family therapists and mental health counselors

This bill sets new requirements for who can supervise mental health counselors and marriage and family therapists in New York. It specifies that supervisors must have at least three years of active licensure, diagnostic privileges, and 36 hours of specialized training in supervision ethics. The bill also clarifies that supervised experience gained under certain department waivers - such as in settings operating under temporary authorization - can count toward licensing requirements. These changes apply directly to professionals seeking licensure and those providing supervision in the mental health counseling field.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareSets higher standards for mental health supervisor qualifications (3yrs licensure, ethics training), improving service quality and client safety in mental health counseling.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Medical Licensing Mental Health

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in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 9409: Establishes an intensive addiction recovery and mental health integrated services pilot program

Establishes an intensive addiction recovery and mental health integrated services pilot program to support two three-year demonstration programs that provide intensive addiction and mental health integrated services to individuals with significant addiction and mental health issues who have had multiple and frequent treatment episodes.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareCreates pilot program for integrated addiction/mental health services, directly expanding access to critical care for underserved populations with significant treatment needs.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Mental Health Substance Abuse

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in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 9389: Creates interagency placement committees to recommend treatment and rehabilitation programs or strategies for youths with co-existing mental disabilities

Creates 10 interagency placement committees throughout the state to recommend treatment and rehabilitation programs or strategies for youths with co-existing mental disabilities; directs such committees to establish a process by which youths can be referred to such committees; directs such committees to submit a report annually to the governor and legislature identifying gaps in treatment and rehabilitation options, and any plans or recommendations to increase such options.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill establishes rehabilitation-focused committees for youth with mental disabilities, directly advancing criminal justice reform through prevention and treatment programs to reduce recidivism.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill creates committees to recommend mental health treatment programs for youths, directly advancing mental health services and addressing gaps in care as per healthcare topic indicators.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Mental Health

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in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 9289: Relates to reports of substantial risk or threat of harm by mental health professionals

Exempts police and peace officers receiving treatment from mandatory reporting of substantial risk or threat of harm by mental health professionals, unless the mental health professional determines, based on reasonable professional judgment, that the condition impairs such person's ability to perform their job duties.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareExempts police officers from mandatory reporting by mental health professionals, protecting patient privacy (a patient right) in mental health treatment, thus supporting mental health services.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Healthcare Workforce Mental Health

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in committee · New York · Assembly May 19, 2026

A 9285: Enacts the mental health integration for networked data (MIND) act

Establishes a centralized mental health data reporting and integration platform to be utilized by all state-operated and county-administered mental health programs, as well as all providers licensed or funded by the office of mental health for the provision of mental health services.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareEstablishes centralized mental health data platform to integrate services across state programs, improving coordination and access - directly supports mental health services as defined in topic.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Mental Health

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in committee · New York · Assembly Jun 1, 2026

A 9379: Establishes a master of social work paid field practicum pilot program

Establishes a master of social work paid field practicum pilot program to provide a stipend to students who are enrolled in a master of social work program for the first 450 hours of field practicum completed towards such masters' degree; requires the office of mental health to complete a report making recommendations on how to expand the pilot program to increase the number of social workers in the state, improve representation in the field of social work, mitigate student debt and improve labor conditions for social workers upon graduation.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationProvides stipends to MSW students for field work, reducing debt and expanding workforce in higher education, directly supporting graduate student access and professional development.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareFunds MSW field work stipends to expand mental health workforce, directly aligning with healthcare support indicators for mental health services and workforce development.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Mental Health

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