NY S08769

Office of Mental Health, in consultation with the Department of Health, must develop or utilize existing educational materials for general hospitals to provide to individuals with documented mental health disorders or at-risk individuals during discharge planning.

Educational materials must include information on types of treatment and support services (inpatient, outpatient), how to recognize need for treatment, resources available, and how to determine appropriate treatment levels.

Commissioner of Mental Health and Commissioner of Health must assist general hospitals in developing written policies and procedures for identification, assessment, and referral of individuals with mental health disorders.

Commissioners must establish training requirements for all licensed or certified healthcare providers who deliver direct patient care regarding the discharge policies and procedures.

General hospitals without direct mental health services must receive referral information and coordination support from the commissioners to connect patients to mental health service programs with operating certificates.

Effective date is 180 days after enactment, with regulations to be promulgated by the commissioners prior to that date.