NY A01997

Creates the New York State Advisory Council on Mental Health Emergency and Crisis Response within the Office of Mental Health, consisting of at least 37 members including the mental hygiene commissioner, corrections commissioner, and 32 additional appointed members from various stakeholder groups.

Appointees must include representatives of mobile crisis outreach teams, mental health providers, advocacy groups, hospitals, physicians, health professionals, mental health professionals, peers, first responders, and law enforcement, with geographic diversity across the state.

Council shall make recommendations to the commissioner on best practices for mental health crisis response, training opportunities for mobile crisis teams, methods to divert patients from hospitalization, and alternatives to traditional emergency services.

Members serve two-year terms with no compensation and cannot serve more than four consecutive terms; council must meet as business requires with a majority constituting a quorum.

Council must submit annual reports to the governor and legislature beginning by December 31, 2023, detailing recommendations on crisis response initiatives and implementation strategies.