Bill > A06407

This bill establishes a comprehensive Crisis Intervention Demonstration Program aimed at improving law enforcement's response to mental health and substance abuse crisis situations, primarily in cities with populations over one million (like New York City). The program creates a Crisis Intervention Team (CIT) Training Program Coordinator position responsible for developing partnerships between mental health services, law enforcement, and disability service providers. The coordinator will coordinate training for first responders, provide funding support through a newly established crisis intervention team training fund, and submit annual reports detailing training progress, community implementation, and recommendations for improvement. A diverse advisory committee will be formed to oversee the program, consisting of representatives from mental health services, law enforcement, advocacy groups, and individuals with personal experience with mental health challenges. The bill mandates a minimum of 40 hours of mental health training for participating law enforcement officers and establishes specific program goals, including reducing physical confrontations, decreasing arrests of individuals in mental health crisis, providing dignified crisis response, and connecting individuals to appropriate treatment. The program will initially be funded with up to one million dollars from the state general fund and will sunset after five years, allowing for evaluation of its effectiveness.

Health and Social Services

https://www.nysenate.gov/legislation/bills/2025/A6407