Healthcare (Mental Health)

in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 5991: Requires the office of mental health, the office of addiction services and supports and the department of education to create a behavioral health website

Requires the office of mental health, office of addiction services and supports and the department of education to create a behavioral health website which shall provide information on various behavioral health issues such as depression, eating disorders, anxiety, schizophrenia, post-traumatic stress disorder and bipolar disorder.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareRequires creation of behavioral health website with mental health resources, directly supporting access to mental health information and services.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Mental Health Substance Abuse

Track

in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 6526: Ensures that the offices of mental health and people with developmental disabilities provide materials to individuals in different languages

Ensures that the office of mental health and the office for people with developmental disabilities provide materials to individuals in English and the top six languages spoken in the state.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareEnsures multilingual access to mental health materials, improving patient access and inclusivity in healthcare services.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Mental Health

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passed both · New York · Senate Jun 4, 2026

S 3610: Establishes the rural suicide prevention council

Establishes the rural suicide prevention council to identify barriers to mental health and substance use treatment and prevention services and other policies, practices, resources, services, and potential legislation that aim to reduce death by suicide and suicide attempts and acknowledge the demographic and cultural differences in rural communities; makes related provisions.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareEstablishes council to identify barriers and improve rural mental health services, directly supporting mental health care access and suicide prevention programs.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Mental Health

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passed · New York · Senate Jun 2, 2026

S 5407: Relates to the first responder peer support program act

This bill establishes New York's "First Responder Peer Support Program Act," creating a statewide grant program to fund peer-to-peer mental health support for first responders. It directly affects firefighters, police officers, EMTs, 911 operators, emergency dispatchers, coroners, and other emergency personnel by providing grants to local entities for trauma-informed training and mental health services. Key provisions include mandatory evidence-based training on suicide prevention and resilience, strict confidentiality rules prohibiting disclosure of personal information, and annual reporting requirements that exclude identifiable data. The program aims to improve mental health access while ensuring privacy and reducing barriers for those in high-stress emergency response roles.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareEstablishes statewide grant program funding peer-to-peer mental health services for first responders, including suicide prevention training and trauma-informed care, directly advancing mental health support within healthcare services.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Mental Health

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in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 6886: Relates to setting minimum reimbursement for mobile crisis intervention services

Sets the reimbursement for mobile crisis intervention services to be a rate that is not less than the rate that would be paid for such services pursuant to the medical assistance program under title eleven of article five of the social services law.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill mandates minimum reimbursement for mobile crisis mental health services, ensuring adequate funding and access to critical mental health care under existing medical assistance programs.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Mental Health

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in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 6116: Relates to the protection of mental health practitioners

Imposes a duty to protect upon mental health practitioners; requires reasonable efforts to modify aspects of treatment in order to reduce or eliminate the risk of harm, initiating procedures for hospitalization, notifying the intended victim or victims, or notifying law enforcement officials when a person directly communicates a threat of serious, imminent harm to self or against a readily identifiable person or persons, and the threat includes both a serious intent to act and the ability to carry out the threat; does not require a mental health practitioner to take any action which, in the exercise of reasonable professional judgment, would endanger such mental health practitioner or increase the danger to a potential victim or victims.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill mandates mental health practitioners to take protective measures against imminent harm, strengthening patient safety protocols in mental health services.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Mental Health

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passed · New York · Senate May 14, 2026

S 4969: Requires victims of firearm violence be offered and/or provided psychiatric care

Senate Bill S 4969 requires all general hospitals to establish policies and procedures for victims of firearm violence. Hospitals must develop plans for identifying, assessing, treating, and referring individuals with injuries from firearms, and provide training to their medical, clinical, and security personnel. Upon discharge, hospitals must inform victims about available psychiatric services related to firearm violence and coordinate these services if requested. The Commissioner of Health will provide a model policy for hospitals and identify psychiatric service organizations in their areas.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates hospitals to provide psychiatric care referrals for firearm violence victims, expanding mental health access and aligning with healthcare service protections.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Mental Health

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in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 4878: Relates to the establishment of mental health clubhouses

This bill establishes a legal framework for mental health clubhouses in New York State, directly benefiting individuals with serious mental illness by providing free, community-based support services. It requires clubhouses to be accredited, offer voluntary membership, and provide integrated support for employment, housing, healthcare, and social engagement. The Office of Mental Health must develop a statewide implementation plan within one year and oversee biennial reporting from clubhouses on membership, employment outcomes, housing, and crisis responses. Clubhouses must operate as non-clinical therapeutic communities emphasizing work, mutual support, and connection to broader healthcare services.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill establishes mental health clubhouses providing integrated healthcare support, employment, and housing services under state oversight, directly advancing mental health care access and community-based treatment.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Mental Health

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in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 145: Makes the provisions of Kendra's law permanent

This bill permanently extends Kendra's Law, which requires court-ordered outpatient treatment for individuals with serious mental illness who have been involved in the criminal justice system. It removes the existing expiration date (June 30, 2027) from the law, making its provisions permanent. The bill directly affects people with severe mental illness who are subject to court-ordered treatment under Kendra's Law. Key provision: eliminating the temporary nature of the law, ensuring continued access to mandated outpatient care for eligible individuals without a sunset date.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill permanently extends Kendra's Law, requiring court-ordered outpatient treatment for individuals with serious mental illness in the criminal justice system, promoting rehabilitation and reducing recidivism.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcarePermanently extends court-ordered outpatient mental health treatment for severe mental illness, strengthening continuity of care and support services.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts Mental Health

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in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 6730: Establishes integrated community mental health clinics

Relates to establishing integrated community mental health clinics to provide services to address mental health issues, anger management issues, substance abuse issues and isolation issues.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill creates integrated clinics specifically for mental health services, directly advancing healthcare access and treatment as defined in the topic description.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Mental Health Substance Abuse

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