NY S09954

Defines "qualified clinical examiner" as psychiatric nurse practitioners, licensed psychologists, or licensed clinical social workers authorized to conduct mental health examinations previously requiring physicians only.

Expands "qualified mental health professional" to include registered nurses, master social workers, mental health counselors, and marriage and family therapists working under physician or qualified clinical examiner supervision.

Allows qualified clinical examiners to conduct involuntary admissions, emergency evaluations, and assisted outpatient treatment determinations on equal footing with physicians in mental health matters.

Authorizes trained physicians and qualified mental health professionals at adult care facilities to request transport of residents to hospitals or crisis centers for psychiatric evaluation.

Establishes new notification requirements for hospitals to inform community mental health providers of admission determinations and requires discharge planning to include community providers maintaining patients on their caseloads.