What's happening
This bill bans the use of automated systems for state-operated or sponsored suicide prevention and mental health hotlines in New York.
Why it matters
Ensures human interaction. By banning automated systems, the bill guarantees that anyone calling a state-run or state-sponsored mental health or suicide prevention hotline will speak directly with a human, which can provide more empathetic and nuanced support in crisis situations.
Addresses trust and effectiveness concerns. Many individuals in crisis may distrust or feel frustrated by automated responses, potentially discouraging them from seeking help; this law aims to remove that barrier and increase the likelihood that callers get the help they need.
May require increased funding or staffing. Prohibiting automation could demand more resources to ensure hotlines are adequately staffed at all times, potentially leading to higher operational costs or the need for additional state investment in mental health services.
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Who cares
Headline styles
Ban Automated Crisis Hotlines
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
Senator · Senate District 29
3 Co-sponsors
History
- Referred to mental health
- Delivered to assembly
- Passed senateVote 60–0
- Ordered to third reading cal.1344
- Committee discharged and committed to rules
- Referred to mental health
- Returned to senate
- Died in assembly
- Referred to mental health
- Delivered to assembly
- Passed senateVote 58–0
- Ordered to third reading cal.1470
Show 3 earlier actions
- Committee discharged and committed to rules
- Reported and committed to finance
- Referred to mental health
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.
Ban Automated Crisis Hotlines
In Assembly Committee · Mental Health · Sponsor Chantel Jackson
Full text
1 pageUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
1366
2025-2026 Regular Sessions
IN SENATE
January 9, 2025
Introduced by Sens. SERRANO, WEBB -- read twice and ordered printed, and when printed to be committed to the Committee on Mental Health
AN ACT to amend the mental hygiene law, in relation to prohibiting certain suicide prevention and mental health services hotlines from being automated
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 (n) to read as follows:
(n) The commissioner shall promulgate rules and regulations prohibiting any suicide prevention or mental health services hotline operated or sponsored by the state from being automated.
§ 2. This act shall take effect on the thirtieth day after it shall have become a law. Effective immediately, the addition, amendment and/or repeal of any rule or regulation necessary for the implementation of this act on its effective date are authorized to be made and completed on or before such effective date.
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD03336-01-5
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 prohibiting certain suicide prevention and mental health services hotlines from being automated
Purpose or general idea of bill
Relates to prohibiting certain suicide prevention and mental health services hot lines from being automated.
Summary of specific provisions
Section 1. Section 7.09 of the mental hygiene law is amended by adding a new subdivision (1) to read as follows:
(1) The commissioner shall promulgate rules and regulations prohibiting any suicide prevention or mental health services hotline operated or sponsored by the state from being automated.
Justification
Suicide is complicated and sometimes hard to predict, but health experts say it can be preventable. The state does provide services in hopes that people will use them if they, or someone they know, are having a crisis.
But for many people, the thought of calling is overbearing even more so to call and hear an automated voice on the other end of the line can be discouraging. Having an automated voice is pick up the phone can exas- perate an already tenuous situation by making an individual who is already doubting their worth, feel even worse by being forced to speak- ing to an automated voice rather than speak with an individual who can address their needs.
This bill seeks to help encourage people who may need these services by fostering human interaction as the first line of defense in helping to combat suicide and assist with mental health services.
Prior legislative history
2023-24 S.7776 Passed Senate. Delivered to Assembly.
2021-22 A.6005 Referred to Mental Health
Fiscal implications
None.
Effective date
This act shall take effect on the thirtieth day after it shall have become a law. Effective immediately, the addition, amendment and/or repeal of any rule or regulation necessary for the implementation of this act on its effective date is authorized to be made and completed
Summaries, headlines and scores are AI-generated from the official bill text. How we score bills. Source: NYS Open Legislation.