Bill > A07293

This bill amends the New York mental hygiene law to allow former outpatients of mental health facilities to request a court order to seal their mental health treatment records under specific conditions. Specifically, individuals who have not received outpatient mental health services for at least ten years and are not currently suffering from a mental illness can petition a court to seal their records. The bill presumptively allows record sealing for individuals who received mental health services before turning sixteen. The court must determine that sealing the records would be in the best interests of both the individual and society. Petitioners do not need to initiate a special proceeding to request record sealing, and if granted, the sealed records would be treated as if the mental health treatment never occurred. This means that when responding to official or unofficial inquiries about mental health history, the individual can act as though the documented services were never provided. The bill aims to reduce stigma and potential negative consequences associated with past mental health treatment by providing a mechanism for individuals to have their records sealed after a significant period of time without ongoing treatment.

Health and Social Services

https://www.nysenate.gov/legislation/bills/2025/A7293