Bill > A02110

This bill expands the legal definition of a "mental health care provider" in New York's penal law to include three additional professional categories: licensed psychoanalysts, licensed creative arts therapists, and licensed behavior analysts. Currently, the definition includes physicians, psychologists, registered professional nurses, clinical social workers, mental health counselors, and marriage and family therapists. By adding these new professional categories, the bill broadens the scope of who is considered a mental health care provider for the purposes of certain sex offenses that might occur during treatment sessions, consultations, interviews, or examinations. This expansion aims to provide more comprehensive legal protection for patients by explicitly including these additional mental health professionals under the existing legal framework that addresses potential sexual misconduct in therapeutic settings. The bill would take effect immediately upon enactment, allowing for prompt implementation of the updated definition.

Housing and Urban Affairs

https://www.nysenate.gov/legislation/bills/2025/A2110