Daniel’s Law: Advocates in Rochester Push for Mental Health Response Teams in New York

Daniel's Law, currently a bill that, if passed, would change public health policy in New York state by creating mental health response units trained to de-escalate mental health and substance abuse emergencies. These teams would respond, instead of armed police officers. Teams would be certified by the state but driven by localities.

Brouk, who is chair of the senate mental health committee, also introduced a bill last month to establish a three-digit hotline, 9-8-8, to connect individuals experiencing mental heath crises to trained counselors. . . . All of this change, it's a relay race," Brouk said. "There will be times when some people need to step out and recuperate and replenish. That's why I think as elected (officials) we've got to be their partners consistently.

The truth is people on the ground have been doing this for years, for decades... I've got new energy. I've got to be able to show folks this is really a ground-up effort and we're here to amplify and help them get these things over the finish line."