S T A T E O F N E W Y O R K
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1304
2023-2024 Regular Sessions
I N A S S E M B L Y
January 17, 2023
___________
Introduced by M. of A. AUBRY, OTIS -- read once and referred to the
Committee on Mental Health
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 7.51, 7.53 and 7.55 to read as follows:
§ 7.51 CRISIS INTERVENTION DEMONSTRATION PROGRAM.
(A) THE COMMISSIONER SHALL ESTABLISH A CRISIS INTERVENTION DEMON-
STRATION 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 POLICE
DEPARTMENT OF THE CITY OF NEW YORK 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 RESPON-
DERS.
(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-
BILITIES AND THEIR FAMILIES TO PROVIDE CRISIS INTERVENTION TEAM TRAIN-
ING;
EXPLANATION--Matter in ITALICS (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD01004-02-3
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(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-EIGHT-D OF THE STATE FINANCE
LAW;
(V) IN CONSULTATION WITH THE CRISIS INTERVENTION ADVISORY COMMITTEE
ESTABLISHED BY THIS ARTICLE, DISTRIBUTE CRISIS INTERVENTION TEAM TRAIN-
ING FUND MONEYS AS NEEDED FOR SUPPORT, TRAINING AND COMMUNITY COORDI-
NATION COSTS; AND
(VI) SUBMIT A REPORT TO THE GOVERNOR, TEMPORARY PRESIDENT OF THE
SENATE, SPEAKER OF THE ASSEMBLY AND THE CRISIS INTERVENTION 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 YEAR TO DATE.
(D) THE CRISIS INTERVENTION DEMONSTRATION PROGRAM SHALL END FIVE YEARS
AFTER ITS ENACTMENT DATE.
§ 7.53 CRISIS INTERVENTION TEAM TRAINING PROGRAM ADVISORY COMMITTEE.
(A) THERE IS HEREBY ESTABLISHED A CRISIS INTERVENTION DEMONSTRATION
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 ADDICTION SERVICES AND
SUPPORTS;
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(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 CRIMINAL JUSTICE
SERVICES WHO IS A LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICER; AND
(13) ONE MEMBER APPOINTED BY THE POLICE DEPARTMENT OF THE CITY OF NEW
YORK 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 7.51 OF THIS ARTICLE AND
BASED ON THAT REPORT MAKE RECOMMENDATIONS TO THE OFFICE, THE OFFICE FOR
PEOPLE WITH DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES, THE OFFICE OF ADDICTION SERVICES
AND SUPPORTS, THE DIVISION OF CRIMINAL JUSTICE SERVICES, THE POLICE
DEPARTMENT OF THE CITY OF NEW YORK, THE GOVERNOR, THE TEMPORARY PRESI-
DENT OF THE SENATE AND THE SPEAKER OF THE ASSEMBLY.
(D) COMMITTEE MEMBERS SHALL NOT BE COMPENSATED BUT ARE ELIGIBLE FOR
REIMBURSEMENT OF REASONABLE EXPENSES.
§ 7.55 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 NEW YORK
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 FISCAL YEAR TWO THOUSAND TWEN-
TY-FOUR--TWENTY-FIVE APPROPRIATIONS.
§ 2. The state finance law is amended by adding a new section 98-d to
read as follows:
§ 98-D. CRISIS INTERVENTION TEAM TRAINING FUND. 1. THERE IS HEREBY
ESTABLISHED IN THE JOINT CUSTODY OF THE COMPTROLLER AND THE COMMISSIONER
OF MENTAL HEALTH A FUND TO BE KNOWN AS THE "CRISIS INTERVENTION 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 MENTAL HEALTH REGARDING
THE USE AND EFFECTIVENESS OF THE DISTRIBUTED MONEYS. THE COMMISSIONER OF
MENTAL HEALTH SHALL INCLUDE A SUMMARY OF THE FUND ANALYSIS IN THE ANNUAL
REPORT REQUIRED PURSUANT TO SECTION 7.51 OF THE MENTAL HYGIENE LAW.
§ 3. The general municipal law is amended by adding a new section
204-h to read as follows:
§ 204-H. CRISIS INTERVENTION TEAMS. 1. THE COMMISSIONER OF CRIMINAL
JUSTICE SERVICES, IN CONSULTATION WITH THE COMMISSIONERS OF MENTAL
HEALTH, THE OFFICE FOR PEOPLE WITH DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES, AND THE
OFFICE OF ADDICTION SERVICES AND SUPPORTS, SHALL, FOR ALL LOCAL POLICE
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OFFICERS IN LAW ENFORCEMENT UNITS OF A CITY HAVING A POPULATION OF ONE
MILLION OR MORE AND ANY OTHER ENFORCEMENT AGENCY THAT CHOOSES TO PARTIC-
IPATE:
(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 PROTOCOL 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 (o) to read as follows:
(O) THE OFFICE 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 EFFEC-
TIVENESS OF THE PLAN FOR COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT, TRAINING AND THERAPEUTIC
RESPONSE ALTERNATIVES AND A DETERMINATION 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.