NY State Senate Bill 2019-S8610A

Archive: Last Bill Status - In Senate Committee Finance Committee

Introduced
- In Committee Assembly
- In Committee Senate
- On Floor Calendar Assembly
- On Floor Calendar Senate
- Passed Assembly
- Passed Senate
Delivered to Governor
Signed By Governor

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Date of Action	Assembly Actions - Lowercase Senate Actions - UPPERCASE
Jun 29, 2020	print number 8610a
Jun 29, 2020	amend (t) and recommit to finance
Jun 22, 2020	referred to finance

Bill Amendments

Original

A (Active)

co-Sponsors

2019-S8610 - Details

Current Committee:: Senate Finance
Law Section:: Mental Hygiene Law
Laws Affected:: Add §7.49, Ment Hyg L
Versions Introduced in Other Legislative Sessions:: 2021-2022: S6955
2023-2024: S7079
2025-2026: S5407

2019-S8610 - Summary

Establishes the "first responder peer support program" which supplies peer-to-peer mental health programs to first responders.

2019-S8610 - Sponsor Memo

                                
 
BILL NUMBER: S8610

SPONSOR: SERINO
 
TITLE OF BILL:

An act to amend the mental hygiene law, in relation to the "First
Responder Peer Support Program Act"; and making an appropriation there-
for

 
PURPOSE:

To provide grants to establish first responder peer support programs.

 
SUMMARY OF PROVISIONS:

Section 1: Provides that this act shall be known as the "First Responder
Peer Support Program Act"

Section 2: Provides that the Commissioner of Mental Health shall,
subject to appropriation, establish a grant program for eligible enti-
ties to establish peer-to-peer mental health programs for first respon-

ders. Directs the Commissioner to establish standards for the program,
including, but not limited to, training for first responder peer volun-
teers, administrative staffing needs, and best practices.  Provides that
the maximum grant shall not exceed $250,000, and provides that the
Commissioner may not require the recipient of any grant through the
program to maintain records on first responders seeking support or to
report any personal identifying information to the Commissioner.

Section 3: Provides the effective date.

 
JUSTIFICATION:

A troubling 2017 study found that more firefighters and police officers
died by suicide than in the line of duty. The study further found that
these first responders, including emergency medical responders, are at
an increased risk for mental illnesses such as depression and post-trau-
matic stress disorder (PTSD). While alarming, these statistics unfortu-
nately are not surprising given the horrors that many first responders
face on a regular basis. Further complicating the issue is the stigma
that too often surrounds the idea of seeking help for mental health
challenges.

This program is modeled off the highly successful Joseph P. Dwyer Veter-
ans Peer to Peer Support Program that was launched in 2012. That program
was originally launched as part of a four-county veteran peer-to-peer
counseling pilot project developed on the premise that no one under-
stands a veteran's experiences better than other veterans: The Program
has since proven to be so successful connecting veterans to one another
and the resources they need to thrive, that it has since been expanded
to 24 counties and New York City.

Specifically, the "First Responder Peer Support Program Act" would
direct the Commissioner of Health to provide grants to eligible entities
to establish peer-to-peer mental health programs specifically for first
responders. It is critical that we make this commitment to our first
responders who risk their health and safety every day to keep our commu-
nities safe. By providing these selfless individuals the opportunity to
connect with peers who are familiar with the struggles many Of them
endure, we can continue to fight the stigma surrounding mental health,
and ensure they have access to the resources they need to thrive in our
communities.

 
LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:

New bill.

 
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS:

Subject to appropriation.

 
EFFECTIVE DATE:
This act shall take effect immediately.

2019-S8610 - Bill Text download pdf

                            
 
                     S T A T E   O F   N E W   Y O R K
 ________________________________________________________________________
 
                                   8610
 
                             I N  S E N A T E
 
                               June 22, 2020
                                ___________
 
 Introduced  by  Sens.  SERINO, JORDAN -- read twice and ordered printed,
   and when printed to be committed to the Committee on Finance
 
 AN ACT to amend the mental  hygiene  law,  in  relation  to  the  "First
   Responder  Peer  Support  Program  Act";  and  making an appropriation
   therefor
 
   THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK, REPRESENTED IN SENATE AND  ASSEM-
 BLY, DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS:
 
   Section  1.  This  act  shall  be known and may be cited as the "First
 Responder Peer Support Program Act".
   § 2. The mental hygiene law is amended by adding a new section 7.49 to
 read as follows:
 § 7.49 FIRST RESPONDER PEER SUPPORT PROGRAM.
   (A) FOR THE PURPOSES OF THIS SECTION, THE FOLLOWING TERMS  SHALL  HAVE
 THE FOLLOWING MEANINGS:
   1. "THE PROGRAM" SHALL MEAN THE "FIRST RESPONDER PEER SUPPORT PROGRAM"
 ESTABLISHED BY THIS SECTION.
   2.  "ELIGIBLE  ENTITIES"  SHALL  MEAN  AN  ENTITY WHICH SUBMITS TO THE
 COMMISSIONER AN APPLICATION, IN A FORM PRESCRIBED BY  THE  COMMISSIONER,
 CONTAINING  SUCH  INFORMATION  AND  ASSURANCES  AS  THE COMMISSIONER MAY
 REQUIRE TO PROVIDE INITIAL AND CONTINUED  TRAINING  IN  MENTAL  ILLNESS,
 INCLUDING  BUT  NOT  LIMITED  TO SUICIDE PREVENTION, FOR FIRST RESPONDER
 PEER VOLUNTEERS.
   (B) THE COMMISSIONER SHALL ESTABLISH A GRANT PROGRAM TO  BE  KNOWN  AS
 THE  "FIRST  RESPONDER  PEER SUPPORT PROGRAM". THE PROGRAM SHALL PROVIDE
 GRANTS, WITH APPROPRIATIONS  THEREFOR,  TO  ELIGIBLE  ENTITIES  FOR  THE
 PURPOSE  OF  ESTABLISHING  PEER-TO-PEER MENTAL HEALTH PROGRAMS FOR FIRST
 RESPONDERS.
   (C) THE COMMISSIONER  SHALL  ESTABLISH  STANDARDS  APPLICABLE  TO  THE
 PROGRAM.  SUCH  STANDARDS  SHALL INCLUDE, BUT NOT BE LIMITED TO, INITIAL
 AND CONTINUED TRAINING FOR FIRST RESPONDER PEER VOLUNTEERS,  ADMINISTRA-
 TIVE STAFFING NEEDS, AND BEST PRACTICES FOR ADDRESSING THE NEEDS OF EACH
 FIRST RESPONDER SERVED.
   (D) GRANTS MAY BE AWARDED BY THE COMMISSIONER TO AN ELIGIBLE ENTITY IN
 ANY AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED TWO HUNDRED FIFTY THOUSAND DOLLARS.
 
  EXPLANATION--Matter in ITALICS (underscored) is new; matter in brackets

                       [ ] is old law to be omitted.
                                                            LBD13660-02-9

 S. 8610                             2
 
   (E)  THE  COMMISSIONER  SHALL  NOT  REQUIRE THE RECIPIENT OF ANY GRANT
 UNDER THIS SECTION TO  MAINTAIN  RECORDS  ON  FIRST  RESPONDERS  SEEKING
 SUPPORT OR REPORT ANY PERSONAL IDENTIFYING INFORMATION DIRECTLY OR INDI-
 RECTLY TO THE COMMISSIONER.
   §  3. The sum of ten million dollars ($10,000,000), or so much thereof
 as may be necessary, is hereby appropriated  to  the  office  of  mental
 health  out  of  any moneys in the state treasury in the general fund to
 the credit of the state purposes account,  not  otherwise  appropriated,
 and  made  immediately  available,  for  the purpose of carrying out the
 provisions of this act.
   § 4. This act shall take effect immediately.

co-Sponsors

2019-S8610A (ACTIVE) - Details

Current Committee:: Senate Finance
Law Section:: Mental Hygiene Law
Laws Affected:: Add §7.49, Ment Hyg L
Versions Introduced in Other Legislative Sessions:: 2021-2022: S6955
2023-2024: S7079
2025-2026: S5407

2019-S8610A (ACTIVE) - Summary

Establishes the "first responder peer support program" which supplies peer-to-peer mental health programs to first responders.

2019-S8610A (ACTIVE) - Sponsor Memo

                                
 
BILL NUMBER: S8610A

SPONSOR: SERINO
 
TITLE OF BILL:

An act to amend the mental hygiene law, in relation to the "First
Responder Peer Support Program Act"

 
PURPOSE:

To provide grants to establish first responder peer support programs.

 
SUMMARY OF PROVISIONS:

Section 1: Provides that this act shall be known as the "First Responder
Peer Support Program Act"

Section 2: Provides that the Commissioner of Mental Health shall,
subject to appropriation, establish a grant program for eligible enti-
ties to establish peer-to-peer mental health programs for first respon-
ders. Directs the Commissioner to establish standards for the program,

including, but not limited to, training for first responder peer volun-
teers, administrative staffing needs, and best practices.  Provides that
the Commissioner may not require the recipient of any grant through the
program to maintain records on first responders seeking support or to
report any personal identifying information to the Commissioner.

Section 3: Provides the effective date.

 
JUSTIFICATION:

A troubling 2017 study found that more firefighters and police officers
died by suicide than in the line of duty. The study further found that
these first responders, including emergency medical responders, arc at
an increased risk for mental illnesses such as depression and post-trau-
matic stress disorder (PTSD). While alarming, these statistics unfortu-
nately arc not surprising given the horrors that many first responders
face on a regular basis. Further complicating the issue is the stigma
that too often surrounds the idea of seeking help for mental health
challenges.

This program is modeled off the highly successful Joseph P. Dwyer Veter-
ans Peer to Peer Support Program that was launched in 2012. That program
was originally launched as part of a four-county veteran peer-to-peer
counseling pilot project developed on the premise that no one under-
stands a veteran's experiences better than other veterans. The Program
has since proven to be so successful connecting veterans to one another
and the resources they need to thrive, that it has since been expanded
to 24 counties and New York City.

Specifically, the "First Responder Peer Support Program Act" would
direct the Commissioner of Health to provide grants to eligible entities
to establish peer-to-peer mental health programs specifically for first
responders. It is critical that we make this commitment to our first
responders who risk their health and safety every day to keep our commu-
nities safe. By providing these selfless individuals the opportunity to
connect with peers who are familiar with the struggles many of them
endure, we can continue to fight the stigma surrounding mental health,

and ensure they have access to the resources they need to thrive in our
communities.

 
LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:

New bill.

 
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS:

Subject to appropriation.

 
EFFECTIVE DATE:
This act shall take effect immediately.

2019-S8610A (ACTIVE) - Bill Text download pdf

                            
 
                     S T A T E   O F   N E W   Y O R K
 ________________________________________________________________________
 
                                  8610--A
 
                             I N  S E N A T E
 
                               June 22, 2020
                                ___________
 
 Introduced  by  Sens.  SERINO, JORDAN -- read twice and ordered printed,
   and when printed to be  committed  to  the  Committee  on  Finance  --
   committee  discharged,  bill amended, ordered reprinted as amended and
   recommitted to said committee
 
 AN ACT to amend the mental  hygiene  law,  in  relation  to  the  "First
   Responder Peer Support Program Act"

   THE  PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK, REPRESENTED IN SENATE AND ASSEM-
 BLY, DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS:
 
   Section 1. This act shall be known and may  be  cited  as  the  "First
 Responder Peer Support Program Act".
   § 2. The mental hygiene law is amended by adding a new section 7.49 to
 read as follows:
 § 7.49 FIRST RESPONDER PEER SUPPORT PROGRAM.
   (A)  FOR  THE PURPOSES OF THIS SECTION, THE FOLLOWING TERMS SHALL HAVE
 THE FOLLOWING MEANINGS:
   1. "THE PROGRAM" SHALL MEAN THE "FIRST RESPONDER PEER SUPPORT PROGRAM"
 ESTABLISHED BY THIS SECTION.
   2. "ELIGIBLE ENTITIES" SHALL MEAN  AN  ENTITY  WHICH  SUBMITS  TO  THE
 COMMISSIONER  AN  APPLICATION, IN A FORM PRESCRIBED BY THE COMMISSIONER,
 CONTAINING SUCH INFORMATION  AND  ASSURANCES  AS  THE  COMMISSIONER  MAY
 REQUIRE  TO  PROVIDE  INITIAL  AND CONTINUED TRAINING IN MENTAL ILLNESS,
 INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO SUICIDE  PREVENTION,  FOR  FIRST  RESPONDER
 PEER VOLUNTEERS.
   (B)  THE  COMMISSIONER  SHALL,  SUBJECT  TO APPROPRIATION, ESTABLISH A
 GRANT PROGRAM TO BE KNOWN AS THE "FIRST RESPONDER PEER SUPPORT PROGRAM".
 THE PROGRAM SHALL  PROVIDE  GRANTS,  WITH  APPROPRIATIONS  THEREFOR,  TO
 ELIGIBLE  ENTITIES  FOR  THE PURPOSE OF ESTABLISHING PEER-TO-PEER MENTAL
 HEALTH PROGRAMS FOR FIRST RESPONDERS.
   (C) THE COMMISSIONER  SHALL  ESTABLISH  STANDARDS  APPLICABLE  TO  THE
 PROGRAM.  SUCH  STANDARDS  SHALL INCLUDE, BUT NOT BE LIMITED TO, INITIAL
 AND CONTINUED TRAINING FOR FIRST RESPONDER PEER VOLUNTEERS,  ADMINISTRA-
 TIVE STAFFING NEEDS, AND BEST PRACTICES FOR ADDRESSING THE NEEDS OF EACH
 FIRST RESPONDER SERVED.
 
  EXPLANATION--Matter in ITALICS (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
                       [ ] is old law to be omitted.

                                                            LBD13660-05-0

 S. 8610--A                          2
 
   (D)  THE  COMMISSIONER  SHALL  NOT  REQUIRE THE RECIPIENT OF ANY GRANT
 UNDER THIS SECTION TO  MAINTAIN  RECORDS  ON  FIRST  RESPONDERS  SEEKING
 SUPPORT OR REPORT ANY PERSONAL IDENTIFYING INFORMATION DIRECTLY OR INDI-
 RECTLY TO THE COMMISSIONER.
   § 3. This act shall take effect immediately.

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Senate Bill S8610A

Sponsored By

Archive: Last Bill Status - In Senate Committee Finance Committee

Actions

Bill Amendments

co-Sponsors

2019-S8610 - Details

2019-S8610 - Summary

2019-S8610 - Sponsor Memo

2019-S8610 - Bill Text download pdf

co-Sponsors

2019-S8610A (ACTIVE) - Details

2019-S8610A (ACTIVE) - Summary

2019-S8610A (ACTIVE) - Sponsor Memo

2019-S8610A (ACTIVE) - Bill Text download pdf

Comments

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Sponsored By

Susan Serino

Archive: Last Bill Status - In Senate Committee Finance Committee

Actions

Bill Amendments

co-Sponsors

Daphne Jordan

2019-S8610 - Details

2019-S8610 - Summary

2019-S8610 - Sponsor Memo

2019-S8610 - Bill Text download pdf

co-Sponsors

Daphne Jordan

2019-S8610A (ACTIVE) - Details

2019-S8610A (ACTIVE) - Summary

2019-S8610A (ACTIVE) - Sponsor Memo

2019-S8610A (ACTIVE) - Bill Text download pdf

Comments