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Bill > S05296


NY S05296

NY S05296
Establishes Nicole's law, which provides for intake and discharge procedures regarding individuals with self-inflicted, life-threatening injuries.


summary

Introduced
02/20/2025
In Committee
02/20/2025
Crossed Over
Passed
Dead

Introduced Session

2025-2026 General Assembly

Bill Summary

AN ACT to amend the mental hygiene law, in relation to establishing Nicole's law

AI Summary

This bill, known as Nicole's Law, establishes comprehensive guidelines for hospitals and healthcare providers when handling patients with self-inflicted, life-threatening injuries. The bill defines such injuries to include suicide attempts, drug overdoses, and self-harm like cutting, and introduces detailed protocols for patient intake and discharge. During intake, hospitals must examine the patient's medical history for previous self-harm incidents and contact family members for additional background information. For patients with a history of such injuries, hospitals are required to obtain and review previous medical records, potentially extend the inpatient stay, and attempt to engage family members in understanding the patient's mental health context. Upon discharge, hospitals must provide the patient's family with at least 48 hours' notice, conduct a discharge meeting to discuss recovery and mental health management, inform the patient about assisted outpatient services, and schedule a post-discharge follow-up. The bill also mandates that assisted outpatient services providers prioritize patients referred by hospitals and includes a provision requiring clinical trial operators to provide supportive resources and contact information if they dismiss a participant due to previous suicidal behavior. The law is set to take effect one year after becoming law, with immediate authorization for developing necessary implementation regulations.

Committee Categories

Health and Social Services

Sponsors (6)

Last Action

REFERRED TO MENTAL HEALTH (on 02/20/2025)

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