NY S02248

Creates a 7-member veterans' mental health and suicide prevention task force with members appointed by the governor, senate temporary president, senate minority leader, assembly speaker, assembly minority leader, director of the Division of Veterans' Services, and commissioner of health

All appointees must have expertise in mental health-related fields and appointments must ensure geographic representation across the state; task force members serve until May 1, 2022 with no compensation but reimbursement for expenses

Task force shall study current mental health practices and suicide prevention efforts for veterans and recommend improvements to increase effectiveness across the state

Task force must submit a preliminary report by June 1, 2021 and final report by March 1, 2022 to the governor and legislature, including legislative proposals to implement recommendations

Act takes effect 60 days after becoming law and automatically expires May 1, 2022