S T A T E O F N E W Y O R K
________________________________________________________________________
7977
2021-2022 Regular Sessions
I N A S S E M B L Y
June 4, 2021
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Introduced by M. of A. BLANKENBUSH -- read once and referred to the
Committee on Mental Health
AN ACT to amend the mental hygiene law, in relation to creating the
rural suicide prevention council
THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK, REPRESENTED IN SENATE AND ASSEM-
BLY, DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS:
Section 1. The mental hygiene law is amended by adding a new section
7.48 to read as follows:
§ 7.48 RURAL SUICIDE PREVENTION COUNCIL.
(A) THERE SHALL BE ESTABLISHED BY THE OFFICE, A COUNCIL ON RURAL
SUICIDE PREVENTION, TO CONSIST OF TWELVE MEMBERS:
1. TWO MEMBERS SHALL BE APPOINTED BY THE COMMISSIONER;
2. TWO MEMBERS SHALL BE APPOINTED BY THE COMMISSIONER OF HEALTH;
3. TWO MEMBERS SHALL BE APPOINTED BY THE COMMISSIONER OF AGRICULTURE
AND MARKETS;
4. TWO MEMBERS SHALL BE APPOINTED BY THE SPEAKER OF THE ASSEMBLY;
5. TWO MEMBERS SHALL BE APPOINTED BY THE TEMPORARY PRESIDENT OF THE
SENATE;
6. ONE MEMBER SHALL BE APPOINTED BY THE MINORITY LEADER OF THE ASSEM-
BLY; AND
7. ONE MEMBER SHALL BE APPOINTED BY THE MINORITY LEADER OF THE SENATE.
(B) THE COMMISSIONER SHALL DESIGNATE THE CHAIR OF THE COUNCIL FROM
AMONG SUCH TWELVE MEMBERS. VACANCIES IN THE MEMBERSHIP OF SUCH COUNCIL
SHALL BE FILLED BY THE APPROPRIATE APPOINTING AUTHORITY. THE MEMBERSHIP
OF THE COUNCIL MAY INCLUDE, BUT NOT BE LIMITED TO, REPRESENTATIVES OF
THE STATE CONFERENCE OF LOCAL MENTAL HYGIENE DIRECTORS, PSYCHIATRIC AND
PSYCHOLOGICAL PRACTITIONERS, SUBSTANCE USE AND MENTAL HEALTH PROFES-
SIONALS WITH EXPERIENCE IN THE DELIVERY OF TREATMENT AND PREVENTION
SERVICES IN RURAL AREAS, PERSONS WITH EXPERTISE IN PUBLIC HEALTH ISSUES,
ANY GROUP, ASSOCIATION, OR UNIVERSITY WITH EXPERTISE IN FINANCIAL OR
ECONOMIC ANALYSIS, BUSINESS PLANNING, AND PROVIDING SUPPORTS FOR FARMERS
EXPLANATION--Matter in ITALICS (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD10015-03-1
A. 7977 2
AND OTHER INDIVIDUALS RESIDING IN RURAL AREAS, AND OTHERS WHOSE PROFES-
SIONAL EXPERTISE INCLUDES RURAL AFFAIRS RELATED TO THE DUTIES OF THE
COUNCIL.
(C) THE COUNCIL SHALL FOCUS ITS EFFORTS AND WORK ON "RURAL AREAS" AS
SUCH TERM IS DEFINED IN SECTION FOUR HUNDRED EIGHTY-ONE OF THE EXECUTIVE
LAW.
(D) DUTIES OF THE COUNCIL SHALL INCLUDE, BUT NOT BE LIMITED TO:
1. EXAMINING THE CAUSES AND CONDITIONS RELATED TO RURAL SUICIDES OR
SUICIDE ATTEMPTS AND THE PREVALENCE OF SUICIDE AMONG CERTAIN PROFESSIONS
INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO, FARMERS AND AGRICULTURAL WORKERS;
2. IDENTIFYING POLICIES, PRACTICES, RESOURCES, SERVICES, AND POTENTIAL
LEGISLATION THAT MAY RESULT IN THE REDUCTION OF RURAL SUICIDE AND RURAL
SUICIDE ATTEMPTS;
3. OFFERING RECOMMENDATIONS ON POLICIES AND PROCEDURES TO IMPROVE THE
COORDINATION OF SERVICES AND RESOURCES AMONG AGENCIES INVOLVED IN THE
DELIVERY OF MENTAL HEALTH, SUBSTANCE USE, OR SUICIDE PREVENTION
SERVICES; AND
4. MAKING RECOMMENDATIONS ON FUNDING INITIATIVES TO INCREASE ACCESS TO
MENTAL HEALTH, SUBSTANCE USE, AND SUICIDE PREVENTION SERVICES IN RURAL
AREAS AND FACILITATE THE USE OF INNOVATIVE INTERVENTION STRATEGIES
SPECIFIC TO INDIVIDUALS RESIDING IN RURAL AREAS.
(E) THE RURAL SUICIDE PREVENTION COUNCIL SHALL MEET NOT LESS THAN TWO
TIMES ANNUALLY, OR AS DEEMED NECESSARY BY THE CHAIR OF THE COUNCIL OR
THE COMMISSIONER.
(F) THE MEMBERS OF THE RURAL SUICIDE PREVENTION COUNCIL SHALL RECEIVE
NO COMPENSATION FOR THEIR SERVICES, BUT SHALL BE ALLOWED THEIR ACTUAL
AND NECESSARY EXPENSES INCURRED IN THE PERFORMANCE OF THEIR DUTIES.
(G) THE COUNCIL SHALL PREPARE AND SUBMIT A REPORT NO LATER THAN JANU-
ARY FIRST, TWO THOUSAND TWENTY-THREE, AND BIENNIALLY THEREAFTER, TO THE
GOVERNOR AND THE LEGISLATURE THAT RECOMMENDS POLICIES, LEGISLATION, AND
FUNDING NEEDED TO IMPLEMENT ANY OF THE FINDINGS IN THE COUNCIL'S REPORT.
§ 2. This act shall take effect on the ninetieth day after it shall
have become a law.