Today, Senator Samra G. Brouk (SD-55) is sharing the announcement of a new funding opportunity from the New York State Office of Mental Health (NYS OMH) – the Requests for Proposals (RFPs) for the Daniel’s Law Task Force Behavioral Health Crisis Response Pilot Programs follow the recommendations of the Daniel’s Law Task Force Report released last December.  

The RFP calls for the funding of at least three pilot programs being expanded or established–one each in an urban, suburban, and rural area–to create crisis response systems that offer safe, compassionate care for individuals experiencing a mental health crisis. Per the RFP: “The (Daniel’s Law Task Force) identified a critical need in NYS for trauma-informed, community-based crisis response approaches that prioritize racial equity, cultural humility, and harm reduction for New Yorkers across their lifespans. A health-led response to a behavioral health crisis is the standard being proposed nationwide, with law enforcement collaboration only in situations threatening violence.”

Senator Brouk and Assemblymember Bronson introduced Daniel’s Law (S3670/A4617) in 2021 to ensure that peer-led teams would serve as first responders to a resident experiencing a mental health crisis. Funding for Daniel’s Law pilot programs came from a $6 million historic investment in the FY’26 state budget. 

The FY’26 state budget also included $2 million in funding for the creation of a Behavioral Health Crisis Technical Assistance Center to help localities develop their community-based, peer-led, crisis response systems – a direct recommendation of the Daniel’s Law Task Force Report (2024).

Senator Samra Brouk (SD-55), Chair of the Senate Mental Health Committee: “Every new Yorker deserves compassionate care during a mental health crisis. We have made historic progress with Daniel’s Law (S3670) this year with a $6 million investment from the state for Daniel’s Law pilot programs. Now, the New York State Office of Mental Health issued RFPs for the expansion or creation of at least three pilot programs, moving us one step closer to achieving non-police crisis response systems with trauma-informed, peer-led care for New Yorkers experiencing a mental health crisis.” 

Assemblymember Harry Bronson (AD-138), Sponsor of Daniel’s Law legislation (A04617): “The Daniel’s Law Pilot program, funded through this year’s State budget, makes it possible for New York to put into practice the findings from the Daniel’s Law Task Force Report to ensure we have resources to successfully meet the needs of people experiencing a mental health or substance use crisis in rural, suburban, and urban communities across the state. The RFP issued by the New York State Office of Mental Health to expand and establish these pilot programs is the critical next step for adopting a state-wide crisis response model that is compassionate, peer-led and trauma informed – and most importantly, accessible in New York’s many diverse regions.”

Assemblymember Jo Anne Simon (AD-52): “I commend the Office of Mental Health for taking the next step towards partnering with communities to bring the Daniel’s Law pilot program to life. New Yorkers experiencing an acute mental health crisis must be met with a response that is grounded in compassion, clinical expertise, and lived experience. This pilot program ensures trained behavioral health teams — not law enforcement — are the first responders, advancing safer and more equitable care across the state. Thank you, Senator Brouk and Assemblymember Bronson, for your vision in sponsoring Daniel's Law and continued partnership as we advocate for people experiencing a mental health crisis.”