S T A T E   O F   N E W   Y O R K
 ________________________________________________________________________
 
                                   9201
 
                           I N  A S S E M B L Y
 
                             February 15, 2024
                                ___________
 
 Introduced  by  M. of A. KELLES, SIMON, HEVESI -- read once and referred
   to the Committee on Mental Health
 
 AN ACT to amend the mental hygiene law, in relation to providing  mental
   telehealth services to children, adolescents, and young adults
 
   THE  PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK, REPRESENTED IN SENATE AND ASSEM-
 BLY, DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS:

   Section 1. Legislative findings and intent.  The  Legislature  affirms
 the  finding  of the U.S. Surgeon General's Advisory on Protecting Youth
 Mental Health that the COVID-19 pandemic has dramatically altered  young
 peoples'  experiences  at  home, at school, and in the community and has
 exacerbated the unprecedented stresses young people face.  The  Legisla-
 ture  also  finds  that  there exists an obligation to act to assist our
 children and their families in this  moment  of  need.  The  Legislature
 intends,  then,  to  provide  actionable  solutions for young people and
 their families in support of the mental health of children, adolescents,
 and young adults.
   § 2. Section 5.05 of the mental hygiene law is amended by adding a new
 subdivision (f) to read as follows:
   (F) THE COMMISSIONERS OF THE OFFICE OF MENTAL HEALTH AND THE OFFICE OF
 ADDICTION SERVICES AND SUPPORTS SHALL ESTABLISH  A  YOUTH  MENTAL  TELE-
 HEALTH  SERVICES PROGRAM TO FACILITATE ACCESS TO MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES,
 INCLUDING SUBSTANCE USE DISORDER SERVICES, FOR YOUTH TO RESPOND TO IDEN-
 TIFIED MENTAL HEALTH NEEDS, INCLUDING THOSE NEEDS THAT MAY HAVE RESULTED
 FROM THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC, AND FOR YOUTH OR FAMILIES THAT MAY NOT  HAVE
 ACCESS  TO  MENTAL  HEALTH  PROFESSIONALS  IN-PERSON. SUCH PROGRAM SHALL
 PROVIDE UP TO FIVE MENTAL TELEHEALTH SERVICES ANNUALLY AT NO COST TO THE
 INDIVIDUAL, FOR ACUTE CRISIS  RESPONSE,  MENTAL  HEALTH  ASSESSMENT,  OR
 INITIATION OF CARE TO REDUCE BARRIERS AND FACILITATE ENGAGEMENT IN LONG-
 TERM CARE.
   AS  SOON  AS PRACTICABLE, BUT NO LATER THAN AUGUST FIRST, TWO THOUSAND
 TWENTY-FOUR, THE OFFICES SHALL ENTER INTO AN AGREEMENT WITH A VENDOR  TO
 CREATE,  OR  USE  AN  EXISTING,  WEBSITE  OR WEB-BASED APPLICATION, AS A
 PORTAL AVAILABLE TO YOUTH AND PROVIDERS TO FACILITATE THE PROGRAM.  SUCH
 VENDOR SHALL BE DETERMINED THROUGH A COMPETITIVE BIDDING PROCESS.
   § 3. This act shall take effect on the one hundred twentieth day after
 it shall have become a law.
 
              

  EXPLANATION--Matter in ITALICS (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
                       [ ] is old law to be omitted.
                                                            LBD14005-01-4