Senator Brouk passes first bill in the New York State Senate, will create a working group on essential workers’ mental health

Albany, NY - Today, the New York State Senate passed Senate Bill S1301, Senator Samra Brouk’s first bill in the Senate. SB1301 directs the commissioner of mental health to create a workgroup and report regarding frontline worker trauma informed care.

“We are living through unprecedented times, and this legislation will provide much-needed research on the adverse effects of COVID-19 on the essential, frontline workers who have tirelessly supported New Yorkers through this pandemic,” stated Senator Brouk.

“We need the Office of Mental Health to deploy the trauma-informed care task force to study and report out on the adverse impacts that COVID-19 is having on frontline workers. And, even more crucially, our government and our service providers need these recommendations to effectively meet those workers’ mental health needs. I am proud to pass this bill today to ensure that our state’s essential workers are heard, understood, and acknowledged -- and that they get the care they need after they’ve cared for us during this pandemic.”