What's happening
This bill requires the state to report on the availability, use, and effectiveness of short-term and intensive crisis respite mental health programs.
Why it matters
Defines and distinguishes between "short term crisis respite" and "intensive crisis respite" programs. , clarifying who these services are intended for and the types of mental health crises they address—this helps ensure more accurate reporting and oversight.
Mandates detailed statewide data collection and reporting. , including the number and location of programs, monthly usage, reasons for admissions, and diversion rates from emergency or inpatient care. This level of data can help policymakers and advocates identify service gaps and evaluate how well current programs are working.
Requires analysis of services provided, staffing, and training. , as well as an assessment of unmet needs and recommendations for areas where expansion or new programs are warranted. This could drive future investments and improvements in mental health crisis care.
Empowers the commissioner to collaborate with local agencies and mental health directors. to gather the necessary information, ensuring that the report is comprehensive and informed by on-the-ground realities—this may improve the accuracy and usefulness of the findings for future planning.
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Who cares
Headline styles
Report on Mental Health Respite
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
1 Co-sponsor
History
- Substituted by A8014
- Ordered to third reading cal.1641
- Referred to rules
Companion bill
The same bill in the other chamber. A bill becomes law when one version passes both houses and the governor signs it, so either number can carry it.
Report on Crisis Respite Programs
Vetoed · Sponsor Diana Richardson
Full text
2 pagesUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
6486
2019-2020 Regular Sessions
IN SENATE
June 13, 2019
Introduced by Sen. MYRIE -- read twice and ordered printed, and when printed to be committed to the Committee on Rules
AN ACT to amend the mental hygiene law, in relation to reports on short term crisis respite and intensive crisis respite programs
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assembly, do enact as follows:
Section 1. Section 7.09 of the mental hygiene law is amended by adding a new subdivision 1 to read as follows:
(1) For the purposes of this subdivision the following terms shall be defined as:
(i) "short term crisis respite" shall mean a short term care and intervention strategy provided in a site based residential setting for individuals who are: experiencing challenges in daily life that create a risk for escalation of symptoms that cannot be managed in the person's home and/or community environment; at imminent risk for an escalation of symptoms and/or a loss of adult role functioning but who do not pose an imminent risk to the safety of themselves or others; or experiencing a challenging emotional crisis which the individual is unable to manage without intensive assistance and support;
(ii) "intensive crisis respite" shall mean a short-term, residential care and clinical intervention strategy for individuals who are facing a behavioral health crisis, and who are at imminent risk for loss of functional abilities, and without this level of care may present safety concerns for themselves and/or others.
(2) The commissioner shall furnish and issue a report to the governor, the speaker of the assembly, and the temporary president of the senate no later than one year after the effective date of this subdivision on the following information as it relates to short term crisis respite and intensive crisis respite programs:
(i) the number of short term and intensive crisis respite programs in each county;
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD13075-01-9
S. 6486 2
(ii) the number of individuals served by short term and intensive crisis respite programs and in each county each month;
(iii) the most prevalent factors for admission of individuals who received either type of crisis respite service, including the most prevalent type of setting an individual was referred from, and the most prevalent mental health diagnosis for individuals accepted into either type of crisis respite program each month;
(iv) the percentage of individuals diverted from the use of inpatient or hospital emergency room care due to experiencing a mental health crisis, for at least thirty days after being discharged from either type crisis respite program each month;
(v) types of services provided by a short term or intensive crisis respite program, including the type of staff and training required for the provision of such services as well as any additional services or types of staff and training that may be beneficial to individuals receiving such services; and
(vi) identifying parts of the state that would benefit from short term and/or intensive crisis respite programs or where an expansions of services would be appropriate.
(3) The commissioner is authorized to request the assistance of any local mental health programs, state agencies, or the local mental hygiene directors, for the purpose of identifying existing short term or intensive crisis respite programs and completing the report required under this subdivision.
§ 2. This act shall take effect immediately.
Reflowed for reading: line numbers and page breaks removed. Cite the official text.
Sponsor's memo
Title of bill
An act to amend the mental hygiene law, in relation to reports on short term crisis respite and intensive crisis respite programs
Purpose
To assess the need statewide for mental health short term and intensive crisis respite programs.
Summary of provisions
*Provides definitions for the purpose of effectuating this act.
*Requires the commissioner of the Office of Mental Health (OMH) to furnish and issue a report to the governor, the speaker of the assembly, and temporary president of the senate no later than one year after the effectuation of this section on information as it relates to short term crisis respite and intensive crisis respite programs.
*The information in the report includes:
>The number of short term and intensive crisis respite programs in each county;
>The number of individuals served by short term and intensive crisis respite programs and in each county each month;
>The most prevalent factors for admission of individuals who received either type of crisis respite service, including the most prevalent type of setting an individual was referred from, and the most prevalent mental health diagnosis for individuals accepted into either type of crisis respite program each month;
>The percentage of individuals diverted from the use of inpatient hospi- tal emergency room care due to experiencing a mental health crisis, for at least thirty days after being discharged from either type of crisis respite program each month;
>Types of services provided by a short term or intensive crisis respite program, including the type of staff and training required for the provision of such services as well as any additional services or types of staff and training that may be beneficial to individuals receiving such services; and
>Identify parts of the state that would benefit from short term and/or intensive crisis respite programs or where an expansion of services would be appropriate
Justification
Without crisis respite services, many New Yorkers who suffer from seri- ous mental illness would have no choice but to check into a hospital or an emergency room if they are facing stressors or a calamity in their personal lives. Crisis respite centers cost a fraction of the price in comparison to a psychiatric hospital or emergency room stay, and can be far more effective in supporting individuals to avoid a mental health crisis. In addition, diverting individuals away from inpatient care and into community-based mental health programs such as crisis respite services is particularly vital when the number of beds in New York State psychiatric hospitals has declined sharply.
Although there is general consensus that crisis respite programs in New York State are effective, more data is needed to determine the most effective method for the delivery of short term and intensive crisis residential respite services and whether there is a need for expansion in New York State.
Legislative history
This is a new bill.
Fiscal implications
Undetermined.
Effective date
This act shall take effect immediately.
Summaries, headlines and scores are AI-generated from the official bill text. How we score bills. Source: NYS Open Legislation.