Develops protocols that designated hotline centers play calming music while callers are on hold, regular "comfort" messages, and if necessary, the hotline center shall provide additional messaging to encourage the caller to stay on the line.
STATE OF NEW YORK
________________________________________________________________________
5583
2025-2026 Regular Sessions
IN ASSEMBLY
February 18, 2025
___________
Introduced by M. of A. BUTTENSCHON -- read once and referred to the
Committee on Mental Health
AN ACT to amend the mental hygiene law, in relation to establishing the
"Mariah N. Lacey-Reid Law" which aids designated hotline centers in
developing protocols for terminating calls to the suicide prevention
and behavioral health crisis hotline
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assem-bly, do enact as follows:
1 Section 1. Short title. This act shall be known and may be cited as
2 the "Mariah N. Lacey-Reid Law".
3 § 2. Section 36.03 of the mental hygiene law is amended by adding a
4 new subdivision (g) to read as follows:
5 (g) In accordance with 988 best practices and national standards, a
6 designated hotline center shall promote quality performance and
7 connection to the suicide prevention and behavioral health crisis
8 hotline, that shall include but not be limited to, developing protocols
9 for terminating a call with any person who calls a designated hotline
10 center, and if a caller is placed on hold, a designated hotline center
11 shall provide calming music, regular "comfort" messages, and if neces-
12 sary, the hotline center shall provide additional messaging to encourage
13 the caller to stay on the line.
14 § 3. This act shall take effect immediately.
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[] is old law to be omitted.
LBD09763-01-5
