Senate Bill S8418A

                                 
BILL NUMBER: S8418

SPONSOR: HARCKHAM
 
TITLE OF BILL:

An act to require the office of mental health to conduct a study on
utilizing the therapeutic techniques studied by the research and recog-
nition project for the treatment of post-traumatic stress disorder

 
PURPOSE OR GENERAL IDEA OF BILL:

Requires the office of mental health to conduct a study on utilizing the
therapeutic techniques studied by the research and recognition project
for the treatment of post-traumatic stress disorder.

 
SUMMARY OF PROVISIONS:

Section 1 directs the Office of Mental Health to conduct a study on
utilizing the therapeutic techniques studied by the research and recog-
nition project for the treatment of post-traumatic stress disorder. Any
funding for the study shall be appropriated from the funds received by
New York state in the coronavirus aid, relief and economic security act.
              

Within one year after the effective date of this act, the office of
mental health shall prepare and submit to the governor, the temporary
president of the senate, the speaker of the assembly, the minority lead-
er of the senate and the minority leader of the assembly a report
containing the study's findings and recommendations for legislative or
administrative action that can be undertaken in utilizing the therapeu-
tic techniques studied by the research and recognition project for the
treatment of post-traumatic stress disorder.

Section 2 states the effective date.

 
JUSTIFICATION:

Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a psychological condition
resulting from reaction to traumatic events or circumstances.  Inci-
dences of PTSD among first responders including firefighters, law
enforcement officers, EMS providers, and other medical professionals
increased exponentially during the coronavirus pandemic. The stresses
placed on these professionals are great enough during normal times, but
the demands of a pandemic have increased suicides and mental trauma at a
disproportionate level on this population.

A study of therapeutic techniques and treatments for post-traumatic
stress disorder, culminating in a report of the study's findings and
recommendations for action by the legislature or executive can be used
to assist in the treatment of post-traumatic stress disorder and related
stress, anxiety, depression, suicide, and other PTSD related issues.

 
PRIOR LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:

10/20/21 referred to mental health

01/05/22 referred to mental health

04/25/22 held for consideration in mental health

 
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS FOR STATE AND LOCAL GOVERNMENTS:
TBD.

 
EFFECTIVE DATE:
This act shall take effect immediately.