NY A09332

Establishes a youth mental telehealth services program jointly administered by the Office of Mental Health and the Office of Addiction Services and Supports to provide mental health and substance use disorder services to youth.

Provides up to five free mental telehealth services annually per individual for acute crisis response, mental health assessment, or initiation of care.

Requires the offices to contract with a vendor through competitive bidding to create or use an existing website or web-based application as a portal for youth and providers to access the program by August 1, 2022.

Addresses mental health needs of young people exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic and removes barriers for those without access to in-person mental health professionals.

Takes effect 120 days after becoming law.