NY A04697

Establishes a New York State Mental Health Response Council with 33 voting members and 3 non-voting ex officio members appointed by the commissioner and state legislature, tasked with developing standards for mental health crisis response and avoiding use of force where possible.

Creates up to 18 regional mental health response councils by January 1, 2022, comprised of 13-21 members with required expertise in mental health and substance abuse services, including peers with lived experience and disability rights representatives.

Authorizes certified mental health response units to respond to people in mental health or substance use crises, offer voluntary transport to appropriate care facilities, and only request law enforcement when the person poses imminent serious physical harm risk to others or themselves.

Modifies Mental Hygiene Law section 9.41 to allow peace officers and police officers to take persons into custody for mental health crises only when there is imminent risk of serious physical harm to others or themselves, and requires notification of regional mental health response councils when taking custody.

Requires the 911 board to incorporate recommendations from the state mental health response council into standards for public safety answering points regarding dispatch and response to individuals experiencing mental health or substance use crises by January 1, 2022.