Bill > S06081

This bill establishes a statewide Child Psychiatry Access Project to help primary care providers better support children's mental health needs. The project will create regional teams consisting of child psychiatrists and support staff who will provide timely telephone consultations to primary care providers. These consultations can include answering behavioral health questions, helping families access mental health services, providing transitional support, and making referrals for acute psychiatric consultations. The bill also creates a special gift fund on state personal income tax forms that allows taxpayers to voluntarily contribute to the Child Psychiatry Access Fund. The fund will be managed jointly by the state comptroller and commissioner of taxation and finance, with monies allocated specifically to the Office of Mental Health to support these regional child psychiatry projects. Importantly, the services will not discriminate based on a child or family's insurance status and aim to improve access to mental health support for children and adolescents across the state. The bill will take effect 90 days after becoming law.

Health and Social Services

https://www.nysenate.gov/legislation/bills/2025/S6081