NY State Senate Bill 2019-S4126A

Archive: Last Bill Status - In Senate Committee Mental Health And Developmental Disabilities Committee

Introduced
- In Committee Assembly
- In Committee Senate
- On Floor Calendar Assembly
- On Floor Calendar Senate
- Passed Assembly
- Passed Senate
Delivered to Governor
Signed By Governor

Please enter your contact information

First Name

Last Name

Email Address

A valid email address is required.

Home address is used to determine the senate district in which you reside. Your support or opposition to this bill is then shared immediately with the senator who represents you.

Optional services from the NY State Senate:

Create an account. An account allows you to officially support or oppose key legislation, sign petitions with a single click, and follow issues, committees, and bills that matter to you. When you create an account, you agree to this platform's terms of participation.

Include a custom message for your Senator? (Optional)

Enter a message to your senator. Many New Yorkers use this to share the reasoning behind their support or opposition to the bill. Others might share a personal anecdote about how the bill would affect them or people they care about.

Actions

View Actions

	Assembly Actions - Lowercase Senate Actions - UPPERCASE
Mar 16, 2020	print number 4126a
Mar 16, 2020	amend and recommit to mental health and developmental disabilities
Jan 08, 2020	referred to mental health and developmental disabilities
Mar 01, 2019	referred to mental health and developmental disabilities

Bill Amendments

Original

A (Active)

2019-S4126 - Details

Current Committee:: Senate Mental Health And Developmental Disabilities
Law Section:: Mental Hygiene Law
Laws Affected:: Add §§7.49, 7.51 & 7.53, amd §19.07, Ment Hyg L; add §99-gg, St Fin L; add §209-h, Gen Muni L
Versions Introduced in Other Legislative Sessions:: 2017-2018: S6844
2021-2022: S4679
2023-2024: S5857

2019-S4126 - Summary

Relates to establishing a crisis intervention team training demonstration program; establishes a crisis intervention team training program advisory committee and crisis intervention team training fund.

2019-S4126 - Sponsor Memo

                                
 
BILL NUMBER: S4126

SPONSOR: PARKER
 
TITLE OF BILL:  An act to amend the mental hygiene law, the state
finance law and the general municipal law, in relation to establishing a
crisis intervention team program

 
PURPOSE:

This legislation provides for the creation of demonstration crisis
intervention teams in New York City in order to increase the effective-
ness of first responders to emotionally distressed citizen situations
and reduce police initiated casualties.

 
SUMMARY OF PROVISIONS:

Section 1: Amends the mental hygiene law by adding three new sections
7.51, 7.53 and 7.55 to create the crisis intervention program, the
crisis intervention team training program advisory committee and the
crisis intervention team training fund grant program.

Section 2: Amends the state finance law by adding a new section 99-w to
create the crisis team training fund.

Section 3: Amends the general municipal law by adding a new section
204-ff to establish the criteria and goals for a crisis intervention
team.

Section 4: Amends section 19.07 of the mental hygiene law by adding a
new subdivision (1) to provide for the collaboration of the off ice of
alcoholism and substance abuse services, office of mental health and law
enforcement to establish criteria for the development of crisis inter-
vention teams.

 
JUSTIFICATION:

The NYPD receives approximately 100,000 calls a year that are related to
an "emotionally disturbed person". Often times that person i s suffering
with mental health issues, or substance abuse problems, or both that
require clinical intervention rather than enforcement that may result in
unwarranted arrests, injuries, and fatalities.  Data for the year 2012
indicates that civil suits against the NYPD have doubled in the past
decade. By the end of that year over 9,500 lawsuits totaling more than
$1 billion had been filed against the NYPD, an onerous burden on taxpay-
ers. Additionally, during the last months of 2013 suits were filed
totaling over $50 million related to three deaths related to lethal
actions by police involving the emotionally impaired.

The creation of a crisis intervention team response model in New York
City would provide law-enforcement personnel with the special t raining
necessary to respond to individuals experiencing erratic emotional
events from a clinical rather than criminal perspective.  Treating these
calls less as a threat to public safety and more as a possibility to
help a New Yorker in crisis, would provide a pathway to handle the
initial calls with the tools necessary to defuse the confrontation and
appropriately address the situation.  Forty-five states and 2,500 cities
have adopted crisis intervention programs wherein law enforcement
engaged in 40-80 hour training.  The results have included a significant
reduction in violence, improved community relations and a reduction in
injuries to both law enforcement and the emotionally impaired which in
the past had easily become highly volatile and dangerous to both
parties. Major cities such as Los Angeles and Chicago have adopted the
successful Memphis Model adopted in Tennessee.

 
LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:

2017-18: 56844 - REFERRED TO MENTAL HEALTH AND DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILI-
TIES
2015-16: 5.2644A- Amend and recommitted to mental health and develop-
mental disabilities
2013-14: S.6365 referred to mental health and developmental disabilities

 
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS:

This bill will have a substantial positive fiscal impact on the City of
New York by reducing the legal and settlement costs related t o unwar-
ranted lethal force against the emotionally impaired. Up to 1 million
dollars from the general fund will be used to establish t he program.

 
EFFECTIVE DATE:
This act shall take effect immediately and sunset 5 years from the date
of enactment.

2019-S4126 - Bill Text download pdf

                            
 
                     S T A T E   O F   N E W   Y O R K
 ________________________________________________________________________
 
                                   4126
 
                        2019-2020 Regular Sessions
 
                             I N  S E N A T E
 
                               March 1, 2019
                                ___________
 
 Introduced  by  Sen.  PARKER -- read twice and ordered printed, and when
   printed to be committed to the Committee on Mental Health and Develop-
   mental Disabilities
 
 AN ACT to amend the mental hygiene law, the state finance  law  and  the
   general  municipal  law,  in  relation to establishing a crisis inter-
   vention team program

   THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK, REPRESENTED IN SENATE AND  ASSEM-
 BLY, DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS:
 
   Section  1.  The  mental  hygiene  law  is amended by adding three new
 sections 7.49, 7.51 and 7.53 to read as follows:
 § 7.49 CRISIS INTERVENTION TEAM TRAINING PROGRAM.
   (A) THE COMMISSIONER SHALL ESTABLISH A CRISIS INTERVENTION TEAM TRAIN-
 ING DEMONSTRATION PROGRAM IN ANY CITY HAVING A POPULATION OF ONE MILLION
 OR MORE FOR  THE  PURPOSE  OF  ASSISTING  LAW  ENFORCEMENT  OFFICERS  IN
 RESPONDING  TO  CRISIS  SITUATIONS INVOLVING PERSONS WITH MENTAL ILLNESS
 AND/OR SUBSTANCE ABUSE PROBLEMS.
   (B) THE COMMISSIONER SHALL ESTABLISH WITHIN THE OFFICE THE POSITION OF
 CRISIS INTERVENTION TEAM TRAINING PROGRAM COORDINATOR WHO WILL SERVE  AT
 THE  PLEASURE  OF  THE COMMISSIONER AND WHO SHALL WORK WITH THE NEW YORK
 POLICE DEPARTMENT AND ANY OTHER LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCY IN THE STATE THAT
 REQUESTS ASSISTANCE TO COORDINATE THE PROVISION OF  CRISIS  INTERVENTION
 TEAM  TRAINING  TO  ITS  FIRST  RESPONDERS  AS  A  PART OF A SPECIALIZED
 RESPONSE TEAM OR AS PART OF THE TRAINING FOR FIRST RESPONDERS.
   (C) THE CRISIS INTERVENTION TEAM TRAINING PROGRAM COORDINATOR SHALL:
   (I) WORK WITH COMMUNITIES TO DEVELOP PARTNERSHIPS,  COORDINATE  ACTIV-
 ITIES  AND  PROMOTE  COOPERATION  AND  COLLABORATION BETWEEN THE OFFICE,
 OFFICE OF ALCOHOLISM AND SUBSTANCE ABUSE SERVICES, LAW ENFORCEMENT AGEN-
 CIES, DISABILITY SERVICE PROVIDERS AND PEOPLE WITH PSYCHIATRIC OR  OTHER
 DISABILITIES  AND  THEIR  FAMILIES  TO  PROVIDE CRISIS INTERVENTION TEAM
 TRAINING;
 
  EXPLANATION--Matter in ITALICS (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
                       [ ] is old law to be omitted.
                                                            LBD04283-03-9

 S. 4126                             2
 
   (II) PROVIDE COORDINATION ACTIVITIES AND FUNDING  SUPPORT  FOR  CRISIS
 INTERVENTION TEAM TRAINING;
   (III)  PROVIDE  SUPPORT, TRAINING AND COMMUNITY COORDINATION TO ENSURE
 THAT MENTAL HEALTH SERVICE PROVIDERS IN THE COMMUNITY  PROVIDE  ALTERNA-
 TIVES TO INCARCERATION;
   (IV)  THROUGH  FEDERAL  AND  PRIVATE  GRANTS,  GIFTS OR CONTRIBUTIONS,
 PROVIDE FUNDING TO SUPPORT TRAINING AND COMMUNITY COORDINATION COSTS  AS
 NECESSARY. ALL MONEYS SHALL BE DEPOSITED IN THE CRISIS INTERVENTION TEAM
 TRAINING FUND ESTABLISHED BY SECTION NINETY-NINE-FF OF THE STATE FINANCE
 LAW;
   (V) IN CONSULTATION WITH THE CRISIS INTERVENTION TEAM TRAINING PROGRAM
 ADVISORY COMMITTEE ESTABLISHED BY THIS ARTICLE, DISTRIBUTE CRISIS INTER-
 VENTION  TEAM  TRAINING  FUND MONEYS AS NEEDED FOR SUPPORT, TRAINING AND
 COMMUNITY COORDINATION COSTS; AND
   (VI) SUBMIT A REPORT TO  THE  GOVERNOR,  TEMPORARY  PRESIDENT  OF  THE
 SENATE,  SPEAKER OF THE ASSEMBLY AND THE CRISIS INTERVENTION TEAM TRAIN-
 ING PROGRAM ADVISORY COMMITTEE ON OR BEFORE NOVEMBER FIFTEENTH  OF  EACH
 YEAR THAT CONTAINS THE FOLLOWING:
   (A) A REVIEW OF ALL LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES THAT HAVE PROVIDED CRISIS
 INTERVENTION  TEAM TRAINING TO THEIR OFFICERS AND THE NUMBER OF OFFICERS
 THAT HAVE COMPLETED THE TRAINING;
   (B) A LIST OF COMMUNITIES IN THIS  STATE  THAT  HAVE  IMPLEMENTED  THE
 CRISIS  INTERVENTION  TEAM TRAINING PROGRAM THROUGH TRAINING AND COORDI-
 NATION, INCLUDING THE LENGTH OF IMPLEMENTATION AND CURRENT STATUS OF THE
 PROGRAM;
   (C) RECOMMENDATIONS FOR IMPROVEMENT IN THE  COMMUNITY  BASED  PARTNER-
 SHIPS THAT SUPPORT CRISIS INTERVENTION TEAM RESPONSES;
   (D)  RECOMMENDATIONS FOR IMPROVEMENT IN THE LAW ENFORCEMENT AND PUBLIC
 SAFETY AGENCIES THAT PROVIDE CRISIS INTERVENTION TEAM RESPONSES; AND
   (E) A REVIEW OF ALL FUNDING RESOURCES  THAT  THE  CRISIS  INTERVENTION
 TEAM  TRAINING PROGRAM COORDINATOR HAS APPLIED FOR TO INCREASE AVAILABLE
 FUNDING, INCLUDING THE STATUS OF ALL FUNDING REQUESTS AND THE  TOTAL  OF
 MONEYS RECEIVED.
   (D) THE CRISIS INTERVENTION TEAM TRAINING PROGRAM ESTABLISHED PURSUANT
 TO  THIS  SECTION  SHALL END FIVE YEARS AFTER THE EFFECTIVE DATE OF THIS
 SECTION.
 § 7.51 CRISIS INTERVENTION TEAM TRAINING PROGRAM ADVISORY COMMITTEE.
   (A) THERE IS HEREBY ESTABLISHED A CRISIS  INTERVENTION  TEAM  TRAINING
 PROGRAM ADVISORY COMMITTEE.
   (B) THE COMMITTEE SHALL CONSIST OF:
   (1)  THE COMMISSIONER, WHO SHALL SERVE AS CHAIRPERSON OF THE COMMITTEE
 AND WHO IS A NONVOTING MEMBER;
   (2) THE CRISIS INTERVENTION TEAM TRAINING PROGRAM COORDINATOR, WHO  IS
 A NONVOTING MEMBER;
   (3)  ONE  MEMBER  APPOINTED  BY  THE COMMISSIONER WHO IS A CONSUMER OF
 MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES;
   (4) ONE MEMBER APPOINTED BY THE COMMISSIONER WHO IS AN IMMEDIATE FAMI-
 LY MEMBER OF A CONSUMER OF MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES;
   (5) ONE MEMBER APPOINTED BY THE COMMISSIONER WHO REPRESENTS  A  STATE-
 WIDE  ADVOCACY  AGENCY  THAT SERVES PERSONS WITH MENTAL DISABILITIES AND
 THEIR FAMILIES;
   (6) ONE MEMBER APPOINTED BY THE COMMISSIONER WHO IS A PSYCHIATRIST  OR
 PSYCHOLOGIST LICENSED IN THE STATE;
   (7)  ONE  MEMBER  APPOINTED  BY  THE  COMMISSIONER  OF  ALCOHOLISM AND
 SUBSTANCE ABUSE SERVICES;

 S. 4126                             3
 
   (8) ONE  MEMBER  APPOINTED  BY  THE  COMMISSIONER  OF  ALCOHOLISM  AND
 SUBSTANCE  ABUSE  SERVICES  WHO REPRESENTS A STATEWIDE BEHAVIOR ADVOCACY
 GROUP, AGENCY OR ASSOCIATION;
   (9)  ONE MEMBER APPOINTED BY THE COMMISSIONER OF THE OFFICE FOR PEOPLE
 WITH DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES WHO IS EITHER A FAMILY MEMBER OR GUARDI-
 AN OF A PERSON WITH A DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITY;
   (10) ONE MEMBER APPOINTED BY THE COMMISSIONER OF THE OFFICE FOR PEOPLE
 WITH DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES WHO IS A  PERSON  WITH  A  DEVELOPMENTAL
 DISABILITY;
   (11) ONE MEMBER RECOMMENDED BY THE NEW YORK CITY PEACE OFFICER BENEVO-
 LENT ASSOCIATION WHO IS A CERTIFIED PEACE OFFICER;
   (12) ONE MEMBER APPOINTED BY THE COMMISSIONER OF THE DIVISION OF CRIM-
 INAL JUSTICE SERVICES WHO IS A LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICER; AND
   (13)  ONE  MEMBER  APPOINTED  BY  THE  NEW  YORK POLICE DEPARTMENT WHO
 REPRESENTS LAW ENFORCEMENT.
   (C) THE COMMITTEE SHALL:
   (1) MEET AT LEAST TWO TIMES IN EACH FULL CALENDAR YEAR. THE  COMMITTEE
 SHALL MEET AT THE REQUEST OF ITS CHAIRPERSON; AND
   (2)  REVIEW  THE  REPORT  REQUIRED BY SECTION 7.49 OF THIS ARTICLE AND
 BASED ON THAT REPORT  MAKE  RECOMMENDATIONS  TO  THE  OFFICE  OF  MENTAL
 HEALTH,  THE  OFFICE  FOR  PEOPLE  WITH  DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES, THE
 OFFICE OF ALCOHOLISM AND SUBSTANCE ABUSE SERVICES, THE DIVISION OF CRIM-
 INAL JUSTICE SERVICES, THE NEW YORK POLICE DEPARTMENT, THE GOVERNOR, THE
 TEMPORARY PRESIDENT OF THE SENATE AND THE SPEAKER OF THE ASSEMBLY.
   (D) COMMITTEE MEMBERS SHALL NOT BE COMPENSATED BUT  ARE  ELIGIBLE  FOR
 REIMBURSEMENT OF REASONABLE EXPENSES.
 § 7.53 CRISIS INTERVENTION TEAM TRAINING FUND GRANT PROGRAM.
   (A)  THE  COMMISSIONER  SHALL  ESTABLISH  THE CRISIS INTERVENTION TEAM
 TRAINING FUND GRANT PROGRAM WHICH SHALL INCLUDE, BUT NOT BE LIMITED  TO,
 PROVIDING FINANCIAL SUPPORT WHEN NECESSARY AND AS AVAILABLE FOR TRAINING
 AND  COMMUNITY  COORDINATION  COSTS FOR THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE CRISIS
 INTERVENTION TEAM  TRAINING  PROGRAM  TO  LAW  ENFORCEMENT  AGENCIES  AS
 REQUESTED.
   (B) NOTWITHSTANDING ANY LAW TO THE CONTRARY, THE FUND SHALL CONSIST OF
 UP TO ONE MILLION DOLLARS FROM THE STATE GENERAL FUND.
   § 2. The state finance law is amended by adding a new section 99-ff to
 read as follows:
   §  99-FF.  CRISIS INTERVENTION TEAM TRAINING FUND.  1. THERE IS HEREBY
 ESTABLISHED IN THE JOINT CUSTODY OF THE COMPTROLLER AND THE COMMISSIONER
 OF THE OFFICE OF MENTAL HEALTH A FUND TO BE KNOWN AS THE  CRISIS  INTER-
 VENTION TEAM TRAINING FUND.
   2.  THE  CRISIS  INTERVENTION  TEAM TRAINING FUND SHALL CONSIST OF ALL
 MONEYS RECEIVED FROM THE  FEDERAL  GOVERNMENT,  PRIVATE  GRANTS,  GIFTS,
 CONTRIBUTIONS AND DEVISES.
   3.  ANY CONTRACTORS THAT RECEIVE MONEYS PURSUANT TO THIS SECTION SHALL
 SUBMIT QUARTERLY REPORTS TO THE COMMISSIONER OF THE DEPARTMENT OF MENTAL
 HEALTH REGARDING THE USE AND EFFECTIVENESS OF  THE  DISTRIBUTED  MONEYS.
 THE  COMMISSIONER  OF  THE  DEPARTMENT  OF MENTAL HEALTH SHALL INCLUDE A
 SUMMARY OF THE FUND ANALYSIS IN THE ANNUAL REPORT REQUIRED  PURSUANT  TO
 SECTION 7.49 OF THE MENTAL HYGIENE LAW.
   §  3.  The  general  municipal  law is amended by adding a new section
 209-h to read as follows:
   § 209-H. CRISIS INTERVENTION TEAMS. 1.   THE COMMISSIONER OF  THE  NEW
 YORK  STATE  DIVISION OF CRIMINAL JUSTICE SERVICES, IN CONSULTATION WITH
 THE COMMISSIONERS OF THE OFFICE OF MENTAL HEALTH, OFFICE FOR PEOPLE WITH
 DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES AND OFFICE OF ALCOHOLISM AND SUBSTANCE  ABUSE

 S. 4126                             4
 
 SERVICES,  SHALL, FOR ALL LOCAL POLICE OFFICERS IN LAW ENFORCEMENT UNITS
 OF A CITY HAVING A POPULATION OF ONE  MILLION  OR  MORE  AND  ANY  OTHER
 ENFORCEMENT AGENCY THAT CHOOSES TO PARTICIPATE:
   (A)  ESTABLISH  CRITERIA  FOR  THE  DEVELOPMENT OF CRISIS INTERVENTION
 TEAMS; AND
   (B) ESTABLISH, AND IMPLEMENT ON AN ONGOING BASIS, A  TRAINING  PROGRAM
 FOR  ALL CURRENT AND NEW EMPLOYEES REGARDING THE POLICIES AND PROCEDURES
 ESTABLISHED PURSUANT TO THIS SECTION. THE  CURRICULUM  SHALL  INCLUDE  A
 MINIMUM OF FORTY HOURS OF MANDATORY TRAINING IN MENTAL HEALTH ISSUES.
   2. THE GOALS OF THE CRISIS INTERVENTION TEAM PROGRAM SHALL BE TO:
   (A) PROVIDE IMMEDIATE RESPONSE BY SPECIFICALLY TRAINED LAW ENFORCEMENT
 OFFICERS;
   (B)  REDUCE  THE  AMOUNT  OF TIME POLICE OFFICERS SPEND OUT OF SERVICE
 AWAITING ASSESSMENT AND DISPOSITION;
   (C) AFFORD PERSONS WITH MENTAL ILLNESS AND/OR SUBSTANCE ABUSE PROBLEMS
 A SENSE OF DIGNITY IN CRISIS SITUATIONS;
   (D) REDUCE THE LIKELIHOOD OF PHYSICAL CONFRONTATION;
   (E)  IDENTIFY  UNDERSERVED  POPULATIONS  WITH  MENTAL  ILLNESS  AND/OR
 SUBSTANCE ABUSE PROBLEMS AND REFER THEM TO APPROPRIATE CARE;
   (F)  DECREASE  THE USE OF ARREST AND DETENTION OF PERSONS EXPERIENCING
 MENTAL HEALTH AND/OR SUBSTANCE ABUSE CRISES BY PROVIDING  BETTER  ACCESS
 TO TIMELY TREATMENT;
   (G)  PROVIDE  THERAPEUTIC LOCATIONS OR PROTOCOLS FOR OFFICERS TO BRING
 INDIVIDUALS IN CRISIS FOR ASSESSMENT THAT IS NOT A  LAW  ENFORCEMENT  OR
 JAIL FACILITY; AND
   (H)  DECREASE  INJURIES  TO  LAW  ENFORCEMENT  OFFICERS  DURING CRISIS
 EVENTS.
   3. OTHER STATE AGENCIES SHALL PROVIDE COOPERATION  AND  ASSISTANCE  TO
 THE PROGRAM TO ASSIST IN THE EFFECTIVE PERFORMANCE OF ITS DUTIES.
   §  4.  Section  19.07 of the mental hygiene law is amended by adding a
 new subdivision (m) to read as follows:
   (M) THE OFFICE OF ALCOHOLISM AND SUBSTANCE ABUSE  SERVICES  SHALL,  IN
 COLLABORATION  WITH  LAW  ENFORCEMENT  AND  THE  OFFICE OF MENTAL HEALTH
 ESTABLISH CRITERIA FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF CRISIS INTERVENTION TEAMS THAT
 SHALL INCLUDE ASSESSMENT OF THE EFFECTIVENESS OF THE PLAN FOR  COMMUNITY
 INVOLVEMENT, TRAINING AND THERAPEUTIC RESPONSE ALTERNATIVES AND A DETER-
 MINATION  OF  WHETHER LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS HAVE EFFECTIVE AGREEMENTS
 WITH MENTAL HEALTH CARE PROVIDERS AND ALL OTHER COMMUNITY STAKEHOLDERS.
   § 5. This act shall take effect immediately.

2019-S4126A (ACTIVE) - Details

Current Committee:: Senate Mental Health And Developmental Disabilities
Law Section:: Mental Hygiene Law
Laws Affected:: Add §§7.49, 7.51 & 7.53, amd §19.07, Ment Hyg L; add §99-gg, St Fin L; add §209-h, Gen Muni L
Versions Introduced in Other Legislative Sessions:: 2017-2018: S6844
2021-2022: S4679
2023-2024: S5857

2019-S4126A (ACTIVE) - Summary

2019-S4126A (ACTIVE) - Sponsor Memo

                                
 
BILL NUMBER: S4126A

SPONSOR: PARKER
 
TITLE OF BILL:

An act to amend the mental hygiene law, the state finance law and the
general municipal law, in relation to establishing a crisis intervention
team program

 
PURPOSE:

This legislation provides for the creation of demonstration crisis
intervention teams in order to increase the effectiveness of first
responders to emotionally distressed citizen situations and reduce
police initiated casualties.

 
SUMMARY OF PROVISIONS:

Section 1: Amends the mental hygiene law by adding three new sections,
7.49, 7.51, and 7.53, to create the crisis intervention team training
program, the crisis intervention team training program advisory commit-

tee, and the crisis intervention team training fund grant program,
respectively

Section 2: Amends the state finance law by adding a new section 99-w to
create the crisis team training fund.

Section 3: Amends the general municipal law by adding a new section
209-h to establish the criteria and goals for a crisis intervention
team.

Section 4: Amends section 19.07 of the mental hygiene law by adding a
new subdivision (n) to provide for the collaboration of the office of
addiction services and support, office of mental health, and law
enforcement to establish criteria for the development of crisis inter-
vention teams.

 
JUSTIFICATION:

There are approximately 100,000 calls a year that are related to an
"emotionally disturbed person". Often times that person is suffering
with mental health issues or substance abuse problems, or both, that
require clinical intervention rather than criminal enforcement that may
result in unwarranted arrests, injuries, or fatalities.  Creating a
crisis intervention team response model in New York would provide law-
enforcement personnel with the special training necessary to respond to
individuals experiencing erratic emotional events from a clinical rather
than criminal perspective. Treating these calls less a as threat to
public safety, and more as a possibility to help a New Yorker in crisis,
would provide a pathway to handle the initial calls with the tools
necessary to defuse the confrontation and appropriately address the
situation. Forty-five states and 2,500 cities have adopted crisis inter-
vention programs wherein law enforcement engaged in 40-80 hour training.
The results have included a significant reduction in violence, improved
community relations and a reduction in injuries to both law enforcement
and the emotionally impaired which in the past had easily become highly
volatile and dangerous to both parties. Major cities such as Los Angeles
and Chicago have adopted the successful Memphis Model adopted in Tennes-
see.
 
LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:

2017-18: S844 - REFERRED TO MENTAL HEALTH AND DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES

2015-16: S.2644A- Amend and recommitted to mental health and develop-
mental

2013-14: 5.6365 referred to mental health and developmental disabilities

 
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS:

This bill will have a substantial positive fiscal impact on the state of
New York by reducing the legal and settlement costs related to unwar-
ranted lethal force against the emotionally impaired. Up to 1 million
dollars from the general fund will be used to establish the program.

 
EFFECTIVE DATE:
This act shall take effect immediately.

2019-S4126A (ACTIVE) - Bill Text download pdf

                            
 
                     S T A T E   O F   N E W   Y O R K
 ________________________________________________________________________
 
                                  4126--A
 
                        2019-2020 Regular Sessions
 
                             I N  S E N A T E
 
                               March 1, 2019
                                ___________
 
 Introduced  by  Sen.  PARKER -- read twice and ordered printed, and when
   printed to be committed to the Committee on Mental Health and Develop-
   mental Disabilities -- recommitted to the Committee on  Mental  Health
   and  Developmental Disabilities in accordance with Senate Rule 6, sec.
   8 -- committee discharged, bill amended, ordered reprinted as  amended
   and recommitted to said committee
 
 AN  ACT  to  amend the mental hygiene law, the state finance law and the
   general municipal law, in relation to  establishing  a  crisis  inter-
   vention team program
 
   THE  PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK, REPRESENTED IN SENATE AND ASSEM-
 BLY, DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS:
 
   Section 1. The mental hygiene law  is  amended  by  adding  three  new
 sections 7.49, 7.51 and 7.53 to read as follows:
 § 7.49 CRISIS INTERVENTION TEAM TRAINING PROGRAM.
   (A) THE COMMISSIONER SHALL ESTABLISH A CRISIS INTERVENTION TEAM TRAIN-
 ING  DEMONSTRATION  PROGRAM FOR THE PURPOSE OF ASSISTING LAW ENFORCEMENT
 OFFICERS IN RESPONDING  TO  CRISIS  SITUATIONS  INVOLVING  PERSONS  WITH
 MENTAL ILLNESS AND/OR SUBSTANCE ABUSE PROBLEMS.
   (B) THE COMMISSIONER SHALL ESTABLISH WITHIN THE OFFICE THE POSITION OF
 CRISIS  INTERVENTION TEAM TRAINING PROGRAM COORDINATOR WHO WILL SERVE AT
 THE PLEASURE OF THE COMMISSIONER AND WHO SHALL WORK WITH  THE  NEW  YORK
 POLICE DEPARTMENT AND ANY OTHER LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCY IN THE STATE THAT
 REQUESTS  ASSISTANCE  TO COORDINATE THE PROVISION OF CRISIS INTERVENTION
 TEAM TRAINING TO ITS  FIRST  RESPONDERS  AS  A  PART  OF  A  SPECIALIZED
 RESPONSE TEAM OR AS PART OF THE TRAINING FOR FIRST RESPONDERS.
   (C) THE CRISIS INTERVENTION TEAM TRAINING PROGRAM COORDINATOR SHALL:
   (I)  WORK  WITH COMMUNITIES TO DEVELOP PARTNERSHIPS, COORDINATE ACTIV-
 ITIES AND PROMOTE COOPERATION  AND  COLLABORATION  BETWEEN  THE  OFFICE,
 OFFICE  OF  ADDICTION  SERVICES  AND SUPPORTS, LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES,
 DISABILITY SERVICE PROVIDERS AND PEOPLE WITH PSYCHIATRIC OR OTHER  DISA-
 
  EXPLANATION--Matter in ITALICS (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
                       [ ] is old law to be omitted.
                                                            LBD04283-04-0

 S. 4126--A                          2
 
 BILITIES  AND  THEIR FAMILIES TO PROVIDE CRISIS INTERVENTION TEAM TRAIN-
 ING;
   (II)  PROVIDE  COORDINATION  ACTIVITIES AND FUNDING SUPPORT FOR CRISIS
 INTERVENTION TEAM TRAINING;
   (III) PROVIDE SUPPORT, TRAINING AND COMMUNITY COORDINATION  TO  ENSURE
 THAT  MENTAL  HEALTH SERVICE PROVIDERS IN THE COMMUNITY PROVIDE ALTERNA-
 TIVES TO INCARCERATION;
   (IV) THROUGH FEDERAL  AND  PRIVATE  GRANTS,  GIFTS  OR  CONTRIBUTIONS,
 PROVIDE  FUNDING TO SUPPORT TRAINING AND COMMUNITY COORDINATION COSTS AS
 NECESSARY. ALL MONEYS SHALL BE DEPOSITED IN THE CRISIS INTERVENTION TEAM
 TRAINING FUND ESTABLISHED BY SECTION NINETY-NINE-GG OF THE STATE FINANCE
 LAW;
   (V) IN CONSULTATION WITH THE CRISIS INTERVENTION TEAM TRAINING PROGRAM
 ADVISORY COMMITTEE ESTABLISHED BY THIS ARTICLE, DISTRIBUTE CRISIS INTER-
 VENTION TEAM TRAINING FUND MONEYS AS NEEDED FOR  SUPPORT,  TRAINING  AND
 COMMUNITY COORDINATION COSTS; AND
   (VI)  SUBMIT  A  REPORT  TO  THE  GOVERNOR, TEMPORARY PRESIDENT OF THE
 SENATE, SPEAKER OF THE ASSEMBLY AND THE CRISIS INTERVENTION TEAM  TRAIN-
 ING  PROGRAM  ADVISORY COMMITTEE ON OR BEFORE NOVEMBER FIFTEENTH OF EACH
 YEAR THAT CONTAINS THE FOLLOWING:
   (A) A REVIEW OF ALL LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES THAT HAVE PROVIDED CRISIS
 INTERVENTION TEAM TRAINING TO THEIR OFFICERS AND THE NUMBER OF  OFFICERS
 THAT HAVE COMPLETED THE TRAINING;
   (B)  A  LIST  OF  COMMUNITIES  IN THIS STATE THAT HAVE IMPLEMENTED THE
 CRISIS INTERVENTION TEAM TRAINING PROGRAM THROUGH TRAINING  AND  COORDI-
 NATION, INCLUDING THE LENGTH OF IMPLEMENTATION AND CURRENT STATUS OF THE
 PROGRAM;
   (C)  RECOMMENDATIONS  FOR  IMPROVEMENT IN THE COMMUNITY BASED PARTNER-
 SHIPS THAT SUPPORT CRISIS INTERVENTION TEAM RESPONSES;
   (D) RECOMMENDATIONS FOR IMPROVEMENT IN THE LAW ENFORCEMENT AND  PUBLIC
 SAFETY AGENCIES THAT PROVIDE CRISIS INTERVENTION TEAM RESPONSES; AND
   (E)  A  REVIEW  OF  ALL FUNDING RESOURCES THAT THE CRISIS INTERVENTION
 TEAM TRAINING PROGRAM COORDINATOR HAS APPLIED FOR TO INCREASE  AVAILABLE
 FUNDING,  INCLUDING  THE STATUS OF ALL FUNDING REQUESTS AND THE TOTAL OF
 MONEYS RECEIVED.
   (D) THE CRISIS INTERVENTION TEAM TRAINING PROGRAM ESTABLISHED PURSUANT
 TO THIS SECTION SHALL END FIVE YEARS AFTER THE EFFECTIVE  DATE  OF  THIS
 SECTION.
 § 7.51 CRISIS INTERVENTION TEAM TRAINING PROGRAM ADVISORY COMMITTEE.
   (A)  THERE  IS  HEREBY ESTABLISHED A CRISIS INTERVENTION TEAM TRAINING
 PROGRAM ADVISORY COMMITTEE.
   (B) THE COMMITTEE SHALL CONSIST OF:
   (1) THE COMMISSIONER, WHO SHALL SERVE AS CHAIRPERSON OF THE  COMMITTEE
 AND WHO IS A NONVOTING MEMBER;
   (2)  THE CRISIS INTERVENTION TEAM TRAINING PROGRAM COORDINATOR, WHO IS
 A NONVOTING MEMBER;
   (3) ONE MEMBER APPOINTED BY THE COMMISSIONER  WHO  IS  A  CONSUMER  OF
 MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES;
   (4) ONE MEMBER APPOINTED BY THE COMMISSIONER WHO IS AN IMMEDIATE FAMI-
 LY MEMBER OF A CONSUMER OF MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES;
   (5)  ONE  MEMBER APPOINTED BY THE COMMISSIONER WHO REPRESENTS A STATE-
 WIDE ADVOCACY AGENCY THAT SERVES PERSONS WITH  MENTAL  DISABILITIES  AND
 THEIR FAMILIES;
   (6)  ONE MEMBER APPOINTED BY THE COMMISSIONER WHO IS A PSYCHIATRIST OR
 PSYCHOLOGIST LICENSED IN THE STATE;

 S. 4126--A                          3
 
   (7) ONE MEMBER APPOINTED BY THE COMMISSIONER OF ADDICTION SERVICES AND
 SUPPORTS;
   (8) ONE MEMBER APPOINTED BY THE COMMISSIONER OF ADDICTION SERVICES AND
 SUPPORTS  WHO  REPRESENTS A STATEWIDE BEHAVIOR ADVOCACY GROUP, AGENCY OR
 ASSOCIATION;
   (9) ONE MEMBER APPOINTED BY THE COMMISSIONER OF THE OFFICE FOR  PEOPLE
 WITH DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES WHO IS EITHER A FAMILY MEMBER OR GUARDI-
 AN OF A PERSON WITH A DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITY;
   (10) ONE MEMBER APPOINTED BY THE COMMISSIONER OF THE OFFICE FOR PEOPLE
 WITH  DEVELOPMENTAL  DISABILITIES  WHO  IS A PERSON WITH A DEVELOPMENTAL
 DISABILITY;
   (11) ONE MEMBER RECOMMENDED BY THE NEW YORK CITY PEACE OFFICER BENEVO-
 LENT ASSOCIATION WHO IS A CERTIFIED PEACE OFFICER;
   (12) ONE MEMBER APPOINTED BY THE COMMISSIONER OF THE DIVISION OF CRIM-
 INAL JUSTICE SERVICES WHO IS A LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICER; AND
   (13) ONE MEMBER APPOINTED  BY  THE  NEW  YORK  POLICE  DEPARTMENT  WHO
 REPRESENTS LAW ENFORCEMENT.
   (C) THE COMMITTEE SHALL:
   (1)  MEET AT LEAST TWO TIMES IN EACH FULL CALENDAR YEAR. THE COMMITTEE
 SHALL MEET AT THE REQUEST OF ITS CHAIRPERSON; AND
   (2) REVIEW THE REPORT REQUIRED BY SECTION 7.49  OF  THIS  ARTICLE  AND
 BASED  ON  THAT  REPORT  MAKE  RECOMMENDATIONS  TO  THE OFFICE OF MENTAL
 HEALTH, THE OFFICE  FOR  PEOPLE  WITH  DEVELOPMENTAL  DISABILITIES,  THE
 OFFICE  OF  ADDICTION  SERVICES  AND  SUPPORTS, THE DIVISION OF CRIMINAL
 JUSTICE SERVICES, THE NEW YORK  POLICE  DEPARTMENT,  THE  GOVERNOR,  THE
 TEMPORARY PRESIDENT OF THE SENATE AND THE SPEAKER OF THE ASSEMBLY.
   (D)  COMMITTEE  MEMBERS  SHALL NOT BE COMPENSATED BUT ARE ELIGIBLE FOR
 REIMBURSEMENT OF REASONABLE EXPENSES.
 § 7.53 CRISIS INTERVENTION TEAM TRAINING FUND GRANT PROGRAM.
   (A) THE COMMISSIONER SHALL  ESTABLISH  THE  CRISIS  INTERVENTION  TEAM
 TRAINING  FUND GRANT PROGRAM WHICH SHALL INCLUDE, BUT NOT BE LIMITED TO,
 PROVIDING FINANCIAL SUPPORT WHEN NECESSARY AND AS AVAILABLE FOR TRAINING
 AND COMMUNITY COORDINATION COSTS FOR THE IMPLEMENTATION  OF  THE  CRISIS
 INTERVENTION  TEAM  TRAINING  PROGRAM  TO  LAW  ENFORCEMENT  AGENCIES AS
 REQUESTED.
   (B) NOTWITHSTANDING ANY LAW TO THE CONTRARY, THE FUND SHALL CONSIST OF
 UP TO ONE MILLION DOLLARS FROM THE STATE GENERAL FUND.
   § 2. The state finance law is amended by adding a new section 99-gg to
 read as follows:
   § 99-GG. CRISIS INTERVENTION TEAM TRAINING FUND.  1. THERE  IS  HEREBY
 ESTABLISHED IN THE JOINT CUSTODY OF THE COMPTROLLER AND THE COMMISSIONER
 OF  THE  OFFICE OF MENTAL HEALTH A FUND TO BE KNOWN AS THE CRISIS INTER-
 VENTION TEAM TRAINING FUND.
   2. THE CRISIS INTERVENTION TEAM TRAINING FUND  SHALL  CONSIST  OF  ALL
 MONEYS  RECEIVED  FROM  THE  FEDERAL  GOVERNMENT, PRIVATE GRANTS, GIFTS,
 CONTRIBUTIONS AND DEVISES.
   3. ANY CONTRACTORS THAT RECEIVE MONEYS PURSUANT TO THIS SECTION  SHALL
 SUBMIT QUARTERLY REPORTS TO THE COMMISSIONER OF THE DEPARTMENT OF MENTAL
 HEALTH  REGARDING  THE  USE AND EFFECTIVENESS OF THE DISTRIBUTED MONEYS.
 THE COMMISSIONER OF THE DEPARTMENT OF  MENTAL  HEALTH  SHALL  INCLUDE  A
 SUMMARY  OF  THE FUND ANALYSIS IN THE ANNUAL REPORT REQUIRED PURSUANT TO
 SECTION 7.49 OF THE MENTAL HYGIENE LAW.
   § 3. The general municipal law is amended  by  adding  a  new  section
 209-h to read as follows:
   §  209-H.  CRISIS  INTERVENTION TEAMS. 1.  THE COMMISSIONER OF THE NEW
 YORK STATE DIVISION OF CRIMINAL JUSTICE SERVICES, IN  CONSULTATION  WITH

 S. 4126--A                          4
 
 THE COMMISSIONERS OF THE OFFICE OF MENTAL HEALTH, OFFICE FOR PEOPLE WITH
 DEVELOPMENTAL   DISABILITIES   AND  OFFICE  OF  ADDICTION  SERVICES  AND
 SUPPORTS, SHALL, FOR ALL LOCAL POLICE OFFICERS IN LAW ENFORCEMENT  UNITS
 AND ANY OTHER ENFORCEMENT AGENCY THAT CHOOSES TO PARTICIPATE:
   (A)  ESTABLISH  CRITERIA  FOR  THE  DEVELOPMENT OF CRISIS INTERVENTION
 TEAMS; AND
   (B) ESTABLISH, AND IMPLEMENT ON AN ONGOING BASIS, A  TRAINING  PROGRAM
 FOR  ALL CURRENT AND NEW EMPLOYEES REGARDING THE POLICIES AND PROCEDURES
 ESTABLISHED PURSUANT TO THIS SECTION. THE  CURRICULUM  SHALL  INCLUDE  A
 MINIMUM OF FORTY HOURS OF MANDATORY TRAINING IN MENTAL HEALTH ISSUES.
   2. THE GOALS OF THE CRISIS INTERVENTION TEAM PROGRAM SHALL BE TO:
   (A) PROVIDE IMMEDIATE RESPONSE BY SPECIFICALLY TRAINED LAW ENFORCEMENT
 OFFICERS;
   (B)  REDUCE  THE  AMOUNT  OF TIME POLICE OFFICERS SPEND OUT OF SERVICE
 AWAITING ASSESSMENT AND DISPOSITION;
   (C) AFFORD PERSONS WITH MENTAL ILLNESS AND/OR SUBSTANCE ABUSE PROBLEMS
 A SENSE OF DIGNITY IN CRISIS SITUATIONS;
   (D) REDUCE THE LIKELIHOOD OF PHYSICAL CONFRONTATION;
   (E)  IDENTIFY  UNDERSERVED  POPULATIONS  WITH  MENTAL  ILLNESS  AND/OR
 SUBSTANCE ABUSE PROBLEMS AND REFER THEM TO APPROPRIATE CARE;
   (F)  DECREASE  THE USE OF ARREST AND DETENTION OF PERSONS EXPERIENCING
 MENTAL HEALTH AND/OR SUBSTANCE ABUSE CRISES BY PROVIDING  BETTER  ACCESS
 TO TIMELY TREATMENT;
   (G)  PROVIDE  THERAPEUTIC LOCATIONS OR PROTOCOLS FOR OFFICERS TO BRING
 INDIVIDUALS IN CRISIS FOR ASSESSMENT THAT IS NOT A  LAW  ENFORCEMENT  OR
 JAIL FACILITY; AND
   (H)  DECREASE  INJURIES  TO  LAW  ENFORCEMENT  OFFICERS  DURING CRISIS
 EVENTS.
   3. OTHER STATE AGENCIES SHALL PROVIDE COOPERATION  AND  ASSISTANCE  TO
 THE PROGRAM TO ASSIST IN THE EFFECTIVE PERFORMANCE OF ITS DUTIES.
   §  4.  Section  19.07 of the mental hygiene law is amended by adding a
 new subdivision (n) to read as follows:
   (N) THE OFFICE OF ADDICTION SERVICES AND SUPPORTS  SHALL,  IN  COLLAB-
 ORATION  WITH  LAW ENFORCEMENT AND THE OFFICE OF MENTAL HEALTH ESTABLISH
 CRITERIA FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF CRISIS  INTERVENTION  TEAMS  THAT  SHALL
 INCLUDE  ASSESSMENT  OF  THE  EFFECTIVENESS  OF  THE  PLAN FOR COMMUNITY
 INVOLVEMENT, TRAINING AND THERAPEUTIC RESPONSE ALTERNATIVES AND A DETER-
 MINATION OF WHETHER LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS HAVE  EFFECTIVE  AGREEMENTS
 WITH MENTAL HEALTH CARE PROVIDERS AND ALL OTHER COMMUNITY STAKEHOLDERS.
   § 5. This act shall take effect immediately.

Comments

Open Legislation is a forum for New York State legislation. All comments are subject to review and community moderation is encouraged.

Comments deemed off-topic, commercial, campaign-related, self-promotional; or that contain profanity, hate or toxic speech; or that link to sites outside of the nysenate.gov domain are not permitted, and will not be published. Attempts to intimidate and silence contributors or deliberately deceive the public, including excessive or extraneous posting/posts, or coordinated activity, are prohibited and may result in the temporary or permanent banning of the user. Comment moderation is generally performed Monday through Friday. By contributing or voting you agree to the Terms of Participation and verify you are over 13.

Create an account. An account allows you to sign petitions with a single click, officially support or oppose key legislation, and follow issues, committees, and bills that matter to you. When you create an account, you agree to this platform's terms of participation.

Senate Bill S4126A

Sponsored By

Archive: Last Bill Status - In Senate Committee Mental Health And Developmental Disabilities Committee

Bill Amendments

2019-S4126 - Details

2019-S4126 - Summary

2019-S4126 - Sponsor Memo

2019-S4126 - Bill Text download pdf

2019-S4126A (ACTIVE) - Details

2019-S4126A (ACTIVE) - Summary

2019-S4126A (ACTIVE) - Sponsor Memo

2019-S4126A (ACTIVE) - Bill Text download pdf

Comments

Senate Bill S4126A

Share this bill

Sponsored By

Kevin S. Parker

Archive: Last Bill Status - In Senate Committee Mental Health And Developmental Disabilities Committee

Bill Amendments

2019-S4126 - Details

2019-S4126 - Summary

2019-S4126 - Sponsor Memo

2019-S4126 - Bill Text download pdf

2019-S4126A (ACTIVE) - Details

2019-S4126A (ACTIVE) - Summary

2019-S4126A (ACTIVE) - Sponsor Memo

2019-S4126A (ACTIVE) - Bill Text download pdf

Comments