NY A02110

Amends Mental Hygiene Law to establish peer crisis diversion homes as safe, home-like temporary residences for adults experiencing behavioral health crises who do not require hospitalization.

Requires the Commissioner of Mental Health to establish or contract for at least six peer crisis diversion homes within one year, with three located in urban settings and three in rural communities.

Mandates homes be staffed 24 hours daily by two or more peer support specialists, employ a full-time licensed clinician and part-time psychiatric consultant, and be governed by current or former mental health service recipients.

Requires peer support specialists to have personally experienced urgent behavioral health needs and complete training in de-escalation techniques, cultural competency, substance abuse, and recovery processes.

Specifies homes must provide short-term stays on a first-come, first-served basis regardless of income, use peer support as primary care modality, and coordinate care transitions to community providers upon discharge.