The Daniel Law Task Force has released recommendations for a new statewide model for mental health crisis response that mobilizes appropriate health care providers as first responders rather than law enforcement.
The Daniel Law Task Force, led by New York State Department of Mental Health Commissioner Anne Sullivan, responds to the murder of Daniel Prude, who died in March 2020 after being detained by Rochester police during a mental health crisis. Established.
This task force, comprised of OMH, advocates and mental health providers from across the state, will examine New York State’s current crisis response model and provide recommendations to Governor Kathy Hochul and state legislators by December 2025. was tasked with making recommendations.
According to OMH, the task force spent more than a year studying response model presentations, speaking with experts and holding listening sessions to hear directly from New Yorkers. of 37 page reportwas submitted a year ahead of schedule and consisted of recommendations based on the task force’s findings.
Sen. Samra Brooke, who has worked on Daniel’s Law, said she believes the task force’s recommendations are consistent with her bill.
“To the families and advocates who fought alongside me for Daniel’s Law, and to the task force who worked tirelessly to incorporate public and expert input into recommendations for statewide implementation. I would like to thank the members of the association,” she said in a statement. This report will pave the way for the full passage and implementation of Daniel’s Law of 2025 (S2398). ”
more:‘Daniel’s Law’ passes New York State Senate Mental Health Committee
What are the recommendations?
According to OMH, the task force will require states to respond to calls to 911 or 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline with behavioral or mental health crises by trained mental health professionals who will It is recommended that procedures be established to ensure that the following actions are taken.
- Specially trained teams in crisis services should be dispatched to these calls, behavioral health checks, and drug use calls.
- The task force recommends that law enforcement should be involved or dispatched only if there is a threat of violence.
- Other recommendations include working to develop sustainable models while building partnerships with community members with lived experience to help develop accessible services. It includes establishing a pilot program of behavioral health response teams in rural areas.
- The task force also recommends that the state establish a technical assistance center to work with stakeholders and provide training and assistance to local communities.
The task force believes implementing these recommendations will be a first step toward improving the state’s response to the mental and behavioral health crisis, according to the report.
— Madison Scott is a Democrat and Chronicle journalist who edited and also reported on our Weld Street Project. She is interested in how the system helps, or does not help, families who have lost a loved one. You can contact her at: [email protected].
