NY S08786

Creates the New York State Advisory Council on Mental Health Emergency and Crisis Response within the office of the mental hygiene law, consisting of the commissioner, representatives from local mental hygiene directors and mental hygiene legal service, and 16 appointed members distributed among the governor (6), assembly speaker (4), senate temporary president (4), and assembly and senate minority leaders (1 each).

Appointed members must represent emergency mental health units, mental health providers, psychiatric advocacy groups, hospitals with psychiatric emergency programs, healthcare professionals with crisis experience, and first responders, with representation from various geographic areas of the state.

Council shall make recommendations to the commissioner on best practices for mental health crisis response, development of a statewide emergency mental health unit system, training and certification of emergency responders, pre-hospital emergency mental health care, and public education on crisis communication.

Members serve two-year terms with a maximum of four consecutive terms; council meets as needed with majority quorum requirement; members receive no compensation and the commissioner provides staff support.

Council must submit reports to the governor, assembly speaker, and senate president by December 31, 2021, and annually thereafter regarding implementation recommendations and other appropriate findings.