Healthcare (Mental Health)

in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 1080: Relates to hospitalization, care coordination, and assisted outpatient treatment for persons with mental illness

S 1080, the "Supportive Interventions Act," updates New York's mental health laws to improve outpatient treatment access for people with severe mental illness who may not recognize their need for care. It revises definitions of "likely to result in serious harm" to explicitly include risks like untreated psychosis, self-neglect, and psychiatric deterioration - expanding beyond current narrow interpretations. The bill requires clinicians to assess whether a person could adhere to outpatient treatment and consider long-term health impacts before recommending involuntary hospitalization. This aims to reduce unnecessary hospitalizations, support community integration, and strengthen the existing Kendra's Law assisted outpatient treatment program.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareExpands outpatient mental health access by broadening criteria for assisted treatment, improving patient access to care under mental health services95% confidence

Sub-Topics Mental Health Substance Abuse

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in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 5024: Requires the department of education to develop school health and mental health professionals to student ratios in public schools

Requires the department of education to develop school health and mental health professionals to student ratios in public schools for students who do not receive services pursuant to the individuals with disabilities education act.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationMandates development of health/mental health professional-to-student ratios, enhancing student access to support services and aligning with educational access and student program support.92% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates developing school mental health professional-to-student ratios, directly advancing access to mental health services for students outside IDEA coverage.90% confidence

Sub-Topics School Safety Special Education Student Health Mental Health

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in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 7504: Includes policies and procedures for responding to students having mental health crises in school safety plans

Includes policies and procedures for responding to students having mental health crises in a manner that does not include contacting law enforcement unless implied or direct threats of violence or other criminal activity is involved in school safety plans.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill reduces law enforcement involvement in non-violent mental health crises, aligning with criminal justice reform by minimizing unnecessary criminalization and promoting alternative responses.85% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill establishes school protocols for mental health crises without law enforcement, enhancing student safety and support within educational environment90% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill mandates school safety plans to address mental health crises via healthcare services, avoiding law enforcement - directly supports mental health access in schools.90% confidence

Sub-Topics School Safety School Transportation Student Health Mental Health

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in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 21: Relates to coverage for children for services related to the diagnosis and treatment of mental, nervous or emotional disorders or ailments

Requires insurance policies to provide coverage for services related to the diagnosis and treatment of mental, nervous or emotional disorders or ailments; makes related provisions.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill mandates insurance coverage for children's mental health services, expanding access to mental health care and directly supporting healthcare policy.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Insurance Mental Health

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in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 8839: Prevents discrimination by insurers based on an individual's mental health or substance use disorder

Prevents discrimination by insurers based on an individual's mental health or substance use disorder; incorporates into law federal enforcement rules set forth in the federal mental health parity and addiction equity act of 2008.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcarePrevents insurance discrimination for mental health/substance use disorders, aligning with federal parity laws to protect patient rights and expand coverage access.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Mental Health Substance Abuse

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in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 4512: Relates to the ability for school districts to implement telehealth school-based mental health clinics

Grants school districts the ability to implement telehealth school-based mental health clinics; establishes the student mental telehealth reimbursement fund; relates to funding the student mental telehealth reimbursement fund.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill establishes a student mental telehealth reimbursement fund, allocating state budget resources to fund school-based mental health services as a public health initiative.95% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationFunds telehealth mental health clinics in schools, enhancing student mental health support as part of educational access and student programs.90% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill creates telehealth mental health clinics in schools with dedicated funding, expanding student access to mental health services per healthcare topic indicators.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Student Health Mental Health Telehealth

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passed · New York · Senate May 7, 2026

S 4867: Prohibits the application of fail-first or step therapy protocols to coverage for the diagnosis and treatment of serious mental health conditions

Prohibits the application of fail-first or step therapy protocols to coverage for the diagnosis and treatment of serious mental health conditions; defines serious mental health condition.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareProhibits step therapy barriers for serious mental health coverage, improving patient access and protecting treatment rights under mental health services.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Mental Health

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in committee · New York · Senate Feb 3, 2026

S 2033: Relates to the protection and promotion of the mental health of the residents of New York state

Requires parity in the mental and physical health treatment of the residents of New York state; provides that both mental and physical health "will be matters of public concern and provision therefor shall be made by the state and by such of its subdivisions".

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates mental health parity with physical health and requires state provision for mental health services, directly advancing mental health care under healthcare policy.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Mental Health

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in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 1792: Enacts the "ensuring access to behavioral health act"

Enacts the "ensuring access to behavioral health act"; includes mental health services, substance use disorder treatment services and recovery support services to network adequacy requirements for insurance coverage.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill mandates inclusion of mental health/substance use services in insurance network adequacy, expanding coverage and access per healthcare topic description.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Insurance Mental Health Substance Abuse

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in committee · New York · Senate Jun 5, 2026

S 8484: Regulates the use of artificial intelligence in the provision of therapy or psychotherapy services

Regulates the use of artificial intelligence in the provision of therapy or psychotherapy services by prohibiting the use of artificial intelligence to assist in providing supplementary support where the session is recorded or transcribed unless the patient is informed of the specific purpose of such use and consents of such use; establishes penalties for violations of such provisions; excludes religious counseling, peer-support, and self-help materials and educational resources from such provisions.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareProhibits unconsented AI use in therapy sessions, requiring patient consent for recorded/transcribed AI assistance, protecting patient rights in mental health services.92% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyMandates patient consent for AI use in therapy sessions, protecting data privacy in healthcare technology applications.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Mental Health Artificial Intelligence

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