NY A08589

Amends Mental Hygiene Law to create peer crisis diversion homes offering temporary, home-like residential settings for adults experiencing behavioral health crises who do not require hospitalization and voluntarily seek services.

Requires the Commissioner of Mental Health to establish or contract for at least six peer crisis diversion homes within one year of enactment, with three located in urban settings and three in rural communities.

Mandates homes be staffed 24 hours daily by peer support specialists (individuals with lived experience of behavioral health needs and approved training), employ a full-time licensed clinician, and have part-time psychiatric consultation.

Specifies peer support specialists must complete training in de-escalation techniques, cultural competency, race relations, substance abuse, and the recovery process.

Establishes that the governing body of each home must consist of current or former mental health services recipients who control decision-making, budgeting, and personnel management.