Senator Samra Brouk’s Statement on the 2025 State of the State

Senator Samra Brouk (SD-55) has released the following statement regarding Governor Kathy Hochul’s 2025 State of the State address:

Senator Samra Brouk (SD-55): “As Chair of the Senate Mental Health Committee, I remain committed to proposing and passing impactful mental health initiatives that meet our community’s most pressing needs. I am encouraged by Governor Hochul’s inclusion of affordability for working families and highlighting youth mental health as a top priority in her State of the State Address. I also share Governor Hochul’s concerns for the wellbeing of all New Yorkers. 

We know our current crisis response system is inadequate, and that there’s nothing compassionate about letting people suffer on the streets. That’s why I will continue to fight for the passage of my legislation, Daniel’s Law, that will invest in mental health professionals and peer support specialists to respond to mental health emergencies. 

I will continue to oppose efforts to put people into forced treatment or forced detention through an expansion of involuntary commitment because we know coerced treatment does not work. People living with mental illness, substance abuse, and disabilities deserve compassionate, therapeutic crisis response services– the kind of love and support we would hope any of our family members would receive in their moment of need. 

The full passage of Daniel’s Law this year will ensure a common sense approach to crisis services that will keep all New Yorkers safe through improved crisis response interventions that will offer every individual compassionate, therapeutic treatment and care. Daniel’s Law will invest in mental health professionals to reform our state’s crisis response and prioritize the safety of all New Yorkers.