Senate Bill S1729

                                 
BILL NUMBER: S1729

SPONSOR: BROUK
 
TITLE OF BILL:

An act to amend the mental hygiene law, in relation to comprehensive
psychiatric emergency programs

 
PURPOSE:

To create a report in relation to the comprehensive psychiatric emergen-
cy program.

 
SUMMARY OF PROVISIONS:

Section 1 amends mental hygiene law to require the commissioner of the
office of mental health in conjunction with the commissioner of health
to prepare and submit a report to the governor, the temporary president
of the senate, and the speaker of the assembly no later than December 1,
2027, and every two years thereafter. This section provides the neces-
sary findings the report must include.

              

Section 2 sets the effective date.

 
JUSTIFICATION:

Comprehensive Psychiatric Emergency Programs (CPEPs) are certified by
the, New York State Office of Mental Health to provide triage, observa-
tion, evaluation, care, treatment and referral services in a safe and
comfortable environment for individuals across the lifespan with a known
or suspected mental illness. CPEPs are able to provide a full range of
psychiatric emergency services, as well as crisis outreach services
within a defined geographic area. These services are provisioned to
those experiencing symptoms of a behavioral health crisis, including
co-occurring disorders. These co-occurring disorders may include
substance use disorders, intellectual and developmental disabilities,
and other medical conditions.

CPEPs, per the Office of Mental Health, are designed to serve all New
Yorkers experiencing a behavioral health crisis in their service area
regardless of age, ability to pay, or a person's location of residence.

There are currently a number of CPEPs operating across New York State
that are providing necessary services. However, patients in a number of
communities have expressed concerns about overcrowding, long wait times,
staffing, and the quality of care and care options being provided.

Because CPEP services are meant to be directed towards individuals with
the most acute needs, New York State must consider the outcomes and
potential ill effects experienced by those admitted to CPEPs who would
be better serviced by other forms of treatment. The state of mental
health treatment and the shortage of accessible, culturally competent,
community-based services in New York often means those experiencing a
mental health trauma or other like experience have nowhere else to go
but a CPEP. This has led to instances of overcrowding, and retraumatiza-
tion, or an escalation of symptoms by those who would have been better
served elsewhere. Youth are especially at risk, when made to wait multi-
ple days inside a CPEP to either be discharged or told there are no
longer term solutions for care available.
As the CPEP program continues to provide and expand its services, the
executive and legislature need to be informed of its work and instances
where individuals are suffering from their experiences in these CPEP
services, and be informed on the policies that would implement better
alternatives to care. This effort's goal would be to leave those most in
need of crisis care the opportunity to receive treatment at the CPEPs,
and to make sure those with less acute needs could be helped in a more
accommodating location.

 
LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:

2024: S9652 Referred to Mental Health.

 
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS:

To be determined.

 
EFFECTIVE DATE:
This act shall take effect immediately.