Bill > S05884

This bill establishes a comprehensive crisis intervention demonstration program primarily focused on improving law enforcement responses to mental health and substance abuse emergencies, initially targeting cities with populations over one million (like New York City). The bill creates a new Crisis Intervention Team (CIT) Training Program Coordinator position responsible for developing partnerships between mental health services, law enforcement, and disability service providers, coordinating training, and providing annual reports to state leadership. A diverse advisory committee will be established to oversee the program, consisting of representatives from mental health, law enforcement, advocacy groups, and individuals with lived experience. The program aims to reduce arrests of people in mental health crises, decrease physical confrontations, provide more dignified responses, and create better pathways to treatment. A dedicated training fund of up to one million dollars will support these efforts, with a mandatory 40-hour mental health training curriculum for participating law enforcement officers. The goals include providing specialized crisis response, reducing officer time spent on assessments, identifying underserved populations, and creating alternative therapeutic assessment locations. The program is initially set up as a five-year demonstration project, with state agencies required to cooperate in its implementation and ongoing assessment.

Health and Social Services

https://www.nysenate.gov/legislation/bills/2025/S5884