S T A T E O F N E W Y O R K
________________________________________________________________________
7177--B
2021-2022 Regular Sessions
I N A S S E M B L Y
April 26, 2021
___________
Introduced by M. of A. GUNTHER, FRONTUS, FERNANDEZ -- read once and
referred to the Committee on Mental Health -- committee discharged,
bill amended, ordered reprinted as amended and recommitted to said
committee -- reported and referred to the Committee on Ways and Means
-- committee discharged, bill amended, ordered reprinted as amended
and recommitted to said committee
AN ACT to amend the county law, in relation to a 9-8-8 suicide
prevention and mental health crisis hotline system
THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK, REPRESENTED IN SENATE AND ASSEM-
BLY, DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS:
Section 1. Short title. This act shall be known and may be cited as
the "9-8-8 Suicide Prevention and Mental Health Crisis Act".
§ 2. The county law is amended by adding a new article 6-B to read as
follows:
ARTICLE 6-B
9-8-8 SUICIDE PREVENTION AND MENTAL HEALTH CRISIS ACT
SECTION 340. DEFINITIONS.
341. 9-8-8 SUICIDE PREVENTION AND MENTAL HEALTH CRISIS HOTLINE
SYSTEM.
§ 340. DEFINITIONS. AS USED IN THIS ARTICLE, UNLESS THE CONTEXT
REQUIRES OTHERWISE:
1. "9-8-8" SHALL MEAN THE THREE DIGIT PHONE NUMBER DESIGNATED BY THE
FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION FOR THE PURPOSE OF CONNECTING INDIVID-
UALS EXPERIENCING A MENTAL HEALTH CRISIS WITH SUICIDE PREVENTION AND
MENTAL HEALTH CRISIS COUNSELORS, MOBILE CRISIS TEAMS, AND CRISIS RECEIV-
ING AND STABILIZATION SERVICES AND OTHER MENTAL HEALTH CRISES SERVICES
THROUGH THE NATIONAL SUICIDE PREVENTION LIFELINE.
2. "9-8-8 CRISIS HOTLINE CENTER" SHALL MEAN A STATE-IDENTIFIED AND
FUNDED CENTER PARTICIPATING IN THE NATIONAL SUICIDE PREVENTION LIFELINE
NETWORK TO RESPOND TO STATEWIDE OR REGIONAL 9-8-8 CALLS.
EXPLANATION--Matter in ITALICS (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD10757-11-1
A. 7177--B 2
3. "CRISIS RECEIVING AND STABILIZATION SERVICES" SHALL MEAN FACILITIES
PROVIDING SHORT-TERM OBSERVATION AND CRISIS STABILIZATION SERVICES UNDER
ARTICLE THIRTY-SIX OF THE MENTAL HYGIENE LAW, OR OTHER CRISIS SERVICES
APPROVED OR LICENSED BY THE OFFICE OF MENTAL HEALTH.
4. "MENTAL HEALTH PROFESSIONAL" SHALL MEAN ANY OF THE FOLLOWING, BUT
SHALL NOT BE LIMITED TO:
(A) A LICENSED CLINICAL SOCIAL WORKER, LICENSED UNDER ARTICLE ONE
HUNDRED FIFTY-FOUR OF THE EDUCATION LAW;
(B) A LICENSED PSYCHOLOGIST, LICENSED UNDER ARTICLE ONE HUNDRED
FIFTY-THREE OF THE EDUCATION LAW;
(C) A REGISTERED PROFESSIONAL NURSE, LICENSED UNDER ARTICLE ONE
HUNDRED THIRTY-NINE OF THE EDUCATION LAW;
(D) A LICENSED MASTER SOCIAL WORKER, LICENSED UNDER ARTICLE ONE
HUNDRED FIFTY-FOUR OF THE EDUCATION LAW, UNDER THE SUPERVISION OF A
PHYSICIAN, PSYCHOLOGIST OR LICENSED CLINICAL SOCIAL WORKER; AND
(E) A LICENSED MENTAL HEALTH COUNSELOR, LICENSED UNDER ARTICLE ONE
HUNDRED SIXTY-THREE OF THE EDUCATION LAW.
5. "MOBILE CRISIS TEAMS" SHALL MEAN A TEAM THAT MAY INCLUDE, BUT NOT
BE LIMITED TO, MENTAL HEALTH PROFESSIONALS, CERTIFIED ALCOHOLISM AND
SUBSTANCE ABUSE COUNSELORS, FAMILY PEER ADVOCATES, AND PEERS, TO PROVIDE
ONSITE COMMUNITY-BASED INTERVENTION FOR INDIVIDUALS WHO ARE EXPERIENCING
A MENTAL HEALTH CRISIS, OR AN "APPROVED MOBILE CRISIS OUTREACH TEAM"
UNDER ARTICLE NINE OF THE MENTAL HYGIENE LAW.
6. "NATIONAL SUICIDE PREVENTION LIFELINE" OR "NSPL" SHALL MEAN THE
NATIONAL NETWORK OF LOCAL CRISIS CENTERS THAT PROVIDE FREE AND CONFIDEN-
TIAL EMOTIONAL SUPPORT TO PEOPLE IN SUICIDAL CRISIS OR EMOTIONAL
DISTRESS TWENTY-FOUR HOURS A DAY, SEVEN DAYS A WEEK VIA A TOLL-FREE
HOTLINE NUMBER, WHICH RECEIVES CALLS MADE THROUGH THE 9-8-8 SYSTEM. THE
TOLL-FREE NUMBER IS MAINTAINED BY THE ASSISTANT SECRETARY FOR MENTAL
HEALTH AND SUBSTANCE USE UNDER THE UNITED STATES SUBSTANCE ABUSE AND
MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES ADMINISTRATION.
7. "PEER" SHALL MEAN AN INDIVIDUAL WHO IS A CURRENT OR FORMER RECIPI-
ENT OF MENTAL HEALTH OR SUBSTANCE USE SERVICES WHO PROVIDES ADVOCACY AND
MUTUAL SUPPORT FOR OTHER SERVICES USERS THROUGH A MODEL OF SHARED
PERSONAL EXPERIENCE, WHO ARE EMPLOYED ON THE BASIS OF THEIR PERSONAL
KNOWLEDGE AND RECOVERY FROM A MENTAL ILLNESS, ADDICTION, OR BOTH, AND
WHO MEET THE CERTIFICATION REQUIREMENTS SET FORTH BY THE NEW YORK STATE
PEER SPECIALIST CERTIFICATION BOARD.
8. "FAMILY PEER ADVOCATES" SHALL MEAN INDIVIDUALS WITH LIVED-EXPERI-
ENCE AS THE BIOLOGICAL, FOSTER, OR ADOPTIVE PARENT OR PRIMARY CAREGIVER
OF A CHILD OR YOUTH WITH A SOCIAL, EMOTIONAL, BEHAVIORAL, MENTAL HEALTH,
SUBSTANCE USE DISORDER, OR DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITY, WHO MEET THE
CURRENT REQUIREMENTS FOR A CREDENTIALED FAMILY PEER ADVOCATE, OR OTHER
CERTIFICATION RELATED TO CULTURALLY RESPONSIVE TRAUMA INFORMED CARE.
9. "VETERANS CRISIS LINE" OR "VCL" SHALL MEAN THE VETERANS CRISIS LINE
MAINTAINED BY THE SECRETARY OF VETERANS AFFAIRS OF THE UNITED STATES
DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS.
10. "SUBSTANCE ABUSE AND MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES ADMINISTRATION"
("SAMHSA") SHALL MEAN THE AGENCY WITHIN THE UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF
HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES.
§ 341. 9-8-8 SUICIDE PREVENTION AND MENTAL HEALTH CRISIS HOTLINE
SYSTEM. 1. THE DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC SERVICE, IN CONSULTATION WITH THE
COMMISSIONERS OF THE OFFICE OF MENTAL HEALTH AND THE OFFICE OF ADDICTION
SERVICES AND SUPPORTS SHALL, ON OR BEFORE JULY SIXTEENTH, TWO THOUSAND
TWENTY-TWO, DESIGNATE A 9-8-8 CRISIS HOTLINE CENTER OR CENTERS THAT
SHALL PROVIDE SUICIDE PREVENTION AND CRISIS INTERVENTION SERVICES TO
A. 7177--B 3
INDIVIDUALS ACCESSING THE 9-8-8 SUICIDE PREVENTION AND MENTAL HEALTH
CRISIS HOTLINE FROM ANYWHERE WITHIN THE STATE TWENTY-FOUR HOURS A DAY,
SEVEN DAYS A WEEK. A DESIGNATED 9-8-8 CRISIS HOTLINE CENTER SHALL MEET
THE FOLLOWING REQUIREMENTS:
(A) HAVE AN ACTIVE AGREEMENT WITH THE ADMINISTRATOR OF THE NATIONAL
SUICIDE PREVENTION LIFELINE FOR PARTICIPATION WITHIN THE NETWORK.
(B) ADHERE TO NSPL POLICIES, REQUIREMENTS AND BEST PRACTICES GUIDE-
LINES FOR OPERATION AND CLINICAL ASSESSMENT STANDARDS.
(C) UTILIZE TECHNOLOGY INCLUDING CHAT AND TEXT THAT IS INTEROPERABLE
BETWEEN AND ACROSS CRISIS AND EMERGENCY SYSTEMS USED THROUGHOUT THE
STATE, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO, 911, EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICES,
AND OTHER NONBEHAVIORAL HEALTH CRISIS SERVICES, AND WITH THE ADMINISTRA-
TOR OF THE NATIONAL SUICIDE PREVENTION LIFELINE.
(D) COORDINATE WITH 9-8-8 CRISIS HOTLINE CENTERS AND 911 OPERATORS FOR
THE APPROPRIATE DEPLOYMENT OF A MOBILE CRISIS TEAM AND/OR LAW ENFORCE-
MENT, AND WHEN APPROPRIATE EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICES OR FIRE SERVICES.
(E)(I) THE DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC SERVICE IN CONJUNCTION WITH THE
COMMISSIONERS OF THE OFFICE OF MENTAL HEALTH AND THE OFFICE OF ADDICTION
SERVICES AND SUPPORTS SHALL HAVE JOINT OVERSIGHT OF SUICIDE PREVENTION
AND CRISIS SERVICE ACTIVITIES AND ESSENTIAL COORDINATION WITH A DESIG-
NATED 9-8-8 HOTLINE CENTER, AND SHALL WORK IN CONCERT WITH NSPL AND VCL
NETWORKS FOR THE PURPOSES OF ENSURING CONSISTENCY OF PUBLIC MESSAGING
ABOUT 9-8-8 SERVICES.
(II) THE OFFICE OF MENTAL HEALTH SHALL IN CONSULTATION WITH THE LOCAL
MENTAL HYGIENE DIRECTORS ESTABLISHED UNDER SECTION 41.55 OF THE MENTAL
HYGIENE LAW, CRISIS RECEIVING AND STABILIZATION SERVICE PROVIDERS,
STATEWIDE MENTAL HEALTH AND SUBSTANCE USE ORGANIZATIONS, AND OTHER
STAKEHOLDERS DEEMED APPROPRIATE BY THE OFFICE, SHALL ESTABLISH TRAINING
GUIDELINES FOR 9-8-8 CRISIS HOTLINE CENTER STAFF, 911 OPERATORS, AND
FIRST RESPONDERS, TO ASSESS CALLERS FOR SUICIDAL RISK, PROVIDE CRISIS
COUNSELING AND CRISIS INTERVENTION, OFFER REFERRALS TO MENTAL HEALTH
AND/OR SUBSTANCE USE SERVICES, AND ON PROVIDING LINGUISTICALLY AND
CULTURALLY COMPETENT CARE.
(F) MEET THE REQUIREMENTS SET FORTH BY THE NSPL FOR SERVING HIGH RISK
AND SPECIALIZED POPULATIONS INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO: BLACK, HISPAN-
IC, LATINO, ASIAN, PACIFIC ISLANDER, NATIVE AMERICAN, ALASKAN NATIVE;
LESBIAN, GAY, BISEXUAL, TRANSGENDER, NONBINARY, QUEER, AND QUESTIONING
INDIVIDUALS; INDIVIDUALS WITH AN INTELLECTUAL OR DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILI-
TY; INDIVIDUALS EXPERIENCING HOMELESSNESS OR HOUSING INSTABILITY;
MEMBERS OF RURAL COMMUNITIES; VETERANS; IMMIGRANTS AND REFUGEES; CHIL-
DREN AND YOUTH; OLDER ADULTS; AND RELIGIOUS COMMUNITIES AS IDENTIFIED BY
THE FEDERAL SUBSTANCE ABUSE AND MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES ADMINISTRATION,
INCLUDING TRAINING REQUIREMENTS AND POLICIES FOR TRANSFERRING SUCH CALL-
ERS TO APPROPRIATE SPECIALIZED CENTERS OR SUBNETWORKS WITHIN OR OUTSIDE
THE NSPL NETWORK AND FOR PROVIDING LINGUISTICALLY AND CULTURALLY COMPE-
TENT CARE.
(G) MAY PROVIDE FOLLOW-UP SERVICES AS NEEDED TO INDIVIDUALS ACCESSING
THE 9-8-8 SUICIDE PREVENTION AND MENTAL HEALTH CRISIS HOTLINE CONSISTENT
WITH GUIDANCE AND POLICIES ESTABLISHED BY THE NSPL.
2. THE COMMISSIONER OF THE OFFICE OF MENTAL HEALTH AND THE COMMIS-
SIONER OF THE OFFICE OF ADDICTION SERVICES AND SUPPORTS SHALL ESTABLISH
A COMPREHENSIVE LIST OF REPORTING METRICS TO BE INCLUDED IN AN ANNUAL
REPORT UNDER THIS ARTICLE ON THE 9-8-8 SUICIDE PREVENTION AND MENTAL
HEALTH CRISIS HOTLINE'S USAGE, SERVICES AND IMPACT WHICH SHALL INCLUDE,
AT A MINIMUM:
A. 7177--B 4
(A) THE VOLUME OF REQUESTS FOR ASSISTANCE THAT THE 9-8-8 SUICIDE
PREVENTION AND MENTAL HEALTH CRISIS HOTLINE RECEIVED;
(B) THE AVERAGE LENGTH OF TIME TAKEN TO RESPOND TO EACH REQUEST FOR
ASSISTANCE, AND THE AGGREGATE RATES OF CALL ABANDONMENT;
(C) THE TYPES OF REQUESTS FOR ASSISTANCE THAT THE 9-8-8 SUICIDE
PREVENTION AND MENTAL HEALTH CRISIS HOTLINE RECEIVED;
(D) THE NUMBER OF MOBILE CRISIS TEAMS DISPATCHED;
(E) THE NUMBER OF INDIVIDUALS ENGAGED BY MOBILE CRISIS TEAMS INCLUDING
ANY SUPPORT PROVIDED BEYOND THE RESOLUTION OF AN INITIAL CRISIS;
(F) THE NUMBER OF INDIVIDUALS TRANSPORTED BY MOBILE CRISIS TEAMS TO A
CRISIS RECEIVING AND STABILIZATION SERVICE CENTER OR OTHER MENTAL HEALTH
CRISIS SERVICE;
(G) THE NUMBER OF SUCH INDIVIDUALS TRANSFERRED BY MOBILE CRISIS TEAM
RESPONDERS TO THE CUSTODY OF LAW ENFORCEMENT OR TRANSPORTED TO AN EMER-
GENCY ROOM OR INPATIENT MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES;
(H) THE NUMBER OF TIMES A MOBILE CRISIS TEAM WAS THE FIRST RESPONDER
TO A MENTAL HEALTH CRISIS AND HAD TO REQUEST DEPLOYMENT OF LAW ENFORCE-
MENT, INCLUDING THE REASON FOR THE REQUEST, AND THE OUTCOME OF THE LAW
ENFORCEMENT RESPONSE; AND
(I) THE AGE, GENDER, RACE, ETHNICITY, NATIONAL ORIGIN, AND HIGH RISK
CATEGORY OR THE INDIVIDUAL, IF REASONABLY ASCERTAINABLE, OF INDIVIDUALS
CONTACTED, TRANSPORTED, OR TRANSFERRED BY EACH MOBILE CRISIS TEAM.
3. THE COMMISSIONERS OF THE OFFICE OF MENTAL HEALTH AND THE OFFICE OF
ADDICTION SERVICES AND SUPPORTS SHALL SUBMIT AN ANNUAL REPORT BEGINNING
NO LATER THAN DECEMBER THIRTY-FIRST, TWO THOUSAND TWENTY-THREE AND ANNU-
ALLY THEREAFTER, REGARDING THE COMPREHENSIVE LIST OF REPORTING METRICS
TO THE GOVERNOR, THE TEMPORARY PRESIDENT OF THE SENATE, THE SPEAKER OF
THE ASSEMBLY, THE MINORITY LEADER OF THE SENATE AND THE MINORITY LEADER
OF THE ASSEMBLY.
4. THE COMMISSIONER OF THE OFFICE OF MENTAL HEALTH, IN CONSULTATION
WITH THE COMMISSIONERS OF THE DEPARTMENT OF TAXATION AND FINANCE, THE
OFFICE OF ADDICTION SERVICES AND SUPPORTS, AND THE DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC
SERVICE, SHALL SUBMIT A REPORT THAT DETAILS THE RESOURCES NECESSARY TO
MAKE THE NSPL, AVAILABLE, OPERATIONAL, AND EFFECTIVE ACROSS THE STATE,
INCLUDING AN EVALUATION OF AVAILABLE AND NEW REVENUE SOURCES TO SUPPORT
THE IMPLEMENTATION, STAFFING, AND ONGOING ACTIVITIES OF 9-8-8 SERVICES
THAT ARE REASONABLY ATTRIBUTED TO: (A) ENSURING THE EFFICIENT AND EFFEC-
TIVE ROUTING OF CALLS MADE TO THE NSPL TO AN APPROPRIATE 9-8-8 CRISIS
HOTLINE CENTER; (B) PERSONNEL AND THE PROVISION OF MENTAL HEALTH, CRISIS
OUTREACH AND STABILIZATION SERVICES DIRECTLY RELATED TO THE NSPL; AND
(C) THE ESTABLISHMENT OF A TRUST FUND FOR THE PURPOSE OF DEPOSITING ANY
DEDICATED REVENUES COLLECTED TO CREATE AND MAINTAIN A STATEWIDE 9-8-8
SUICIDE PREVENTION AND MENTAL HEALTH CRISIS HOTLINE SYSTEM. THE REPORT
SHALL BE SUBMITTED ON OR BEFORE DECEMBER THIRTY-FIRST, TWO THOUSAND
TWENTY-ONE TO THE GOVERNOR, THE SPEAKER OF THE ASSEMBLY, THE TEMPORARY
PRESIDENT OF THE SENATE, AND THE MINORITY LEADERS OF THE SENATE AND THE
ASSEMBLY.
§ 3. This act shall take effect immediately.