NY A02719

Expands the definition of "mental illness" in the Mental Hygiene Law to include addictive disorders, and revises criteria for involuntary commitment to require behavior "likely to result in serious harm" rather than being essential to the person's welfare

Establishes mental health courts statewide to divert defendants with severe mental illness from criminal proceedings to treatment programs, with psychiatric evaluations required within five days of case transfer

Requires each county to establish at least one "empath unit" for emergency mental health treatment, and mandates "clubhouses" providing employment assistance, housing support, peer counseling, and re-entry services for justice-involved individuals

Creates an emergency behavioral health services system with response teams including mental health and homeless intervention specialists, prohibiting police from using coercive force during mental health transports unless directed by behavioral health experts

Mandates that homeless shelters transition to single room occupancy units within five years, requires case management services within 14 days of shelter admission, and entitles homeless individuals in New York City to mobile phones and mailing addresses