A 5545 New York Assembly · 2025 Regular Session

Provides for qualified mental health associates

Summary

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.

Issues: ✓ Healthcare

Bill status in committee 1 of 4 stages cleared

Introduction

Feb 2025

Committee Review

Floor Vote

Governor

Introduced Feb 14, 2025 Last action Jan 7, 2026

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What changed between versions

A5545 → A5545A · 5 edits

MODERATE

This bill was amended to change how qualified mental health associates are regulated, including removing the requirement for a credentialing board and adding new requirements about working in supervised settings and collaborating with education departments. The changes also adjust the effective date of the law and modify how penalties and disciplinary actions are handled.

Scope change

The bill's scope was modified to remove the establishment of a credentialing board and add collaboration requirements with the department of education for oversight and rule-making.

REQUIREMENT

Removed the requirement to establish a credentialing board and replaced it with a general board that includes representatives from the department of education.

Added new competency requirements for qualified mental health associates to work in supervised settings and create service plans rather than behavioral health diagnosis or treatment plans.

ENFORCEMENT

Changed the enforcement process to require consultation with the department of education when issuing penalties or disciplinary actions for qualified mental health associates.

TIMELINE

Changed the effective date from immediate to 120 days after the bill becomes law.

DEFINITION

Modified the definition of qualified mental health associate to emphasize that the title documents minimum qualifications rather than establishing a separate credentialing process.

Floor votes

How they voted

No floor votes recorded yet.

Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions

Key actions

Committee

Amendments

Jan 7, 2026

Committee

REFERRED TO CODES

lower

May 20, 2025

Committee

REPORTED REFERRED TO CODES

lower

May 16, 2025

Lower · Passed

PRINT NUMBER 5545A

lower

May 16, 2025

Lower · Passed

AMEND AND RECOMMIT TO MENTAL HEALTH

lower

Feb 14, 2025

Committee

REFERRED TO MENTAL HEALTH

lower

1 primary · 2 co-sponsors