Relates to establishing a veteran suicide mortality review board
Summary
Establishes a 13 member veteran suicide mortality review board to serve as the statewide entity responsible for the multidisciplinary review of suicide deaths among veterans by identifying trends and systemic factors contributing to veteran suicide; assessing gaps in services, access to care, and institutional practices; developing evidence-based recommendations for prevention and policy improvement; and promoting collaboration among relevant state, local, and federal agencies.
Bill status
passed both
4 of 5 stages cleared
Introduction
Jan 2026
Committee Review
May 2026
Senate Passage
May 2026
Assembly Passage
Jun 2026
Governor
Introduced Jan 21, 2026
Last action Jun 1, 2026
Maddy AI version diff · 1 comparison
What changed between versions
S8968
→
S8968A
·
4 edits
MODERATE
The bill was amended to expand its scope from the public health law to the mental hygiene law, shifting the board's administrative home from the Department of Health to the Office of Mental Health. The membership composition was significantly altered to include the Office of Mental Health commissioner as chair and added a representative from the state conference of local mental hygiene directors. Additionally, the definition of 'veteran' was updated to align with county law, and the board's duties now explicitly include reviewing specific forms from the Department of Veterans' Services.
Scope change
The bill's scope shifted from the public health law to the mental hygiene law, changing the primary administrative agency responsible for the board from the Department of Health to the Office of Mental Health.
SCOPE
The bill was transferred from the public health law to the mental hygiene law, moving the board's oversight from the Department of Health to the Office of Mental Health.
REQUIREMENT
The board's membership structure changed: the Office of Mental Health commissioner is now the chair, and a representative from the state conference of local mental hygiene directors was added to the roster.
The board's duties were expanded to explicitly require the review of completed forms received from the Department of Veterans' Services.
DEFINITION
The definition of 'veteran' was updated to match the definition found in subdivision ten of section 677 of the County Law.
Floor votes · Senate May 28, 2026 · Assembly Jun 1, 2026
How they voted
60–0
Passed · 3 other
Total votes 63
May 28, 2026
D
Democratic41
97% Yea
R
Republican22
90% Yea
Vote distribution
All Yea
All Nay
Mixed
No data
Full legislative history
Actions timeline
Total actions
12
Key actions
3
Committee
2
Amendments
1
Jun 1, 2026
Lower · Passed
PASSED ASSEMBLY
lower
May 28, 2026
Committee
REFERRED TO WAYS AND MEANS
lower
May 28, 2026
Upper · Passed
PASSED SENATE
upper
Apr 20, 2026
Upper · Passed
AMENDED ON THIRD READING (T) 8968A
upper
Jan 21, 2026
Committee
REFERRED TO VETERANS, HOMELAND SECURITY AND MILITARY AFFAIRS
upper
1 primary · 5 co-sponsors
Sponsors
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