STATE OF NEW YORK
________________________________________________________________________
9024
IN ASSEMBLY
February 5, 2024
___________
Introduced by M. of A. LUCAS -- read once and referred to the Committee
on Governmental Operations
AN ACT to amend the executive law, in relation to establishing the
commission on public safety, emergency preparedness, and mental health
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assem-bly, do enact as follows:
1 Section 1. The executive law is amended by adding a new article 49-C
2 to read as follows:
3 ARTICLE 49-C
4 COMMISSION ON PUBLIC SAFETY, EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS, AND MENTAL HEALTH
5 Section 996. Definitions.
6 996-a. Commission on public safety, emergency preparedness, and
7 mental health.
8 996-b. Division of school safety.
9 996-c. Division of emergency preparedness.
10 996-d. Division of mental health.
11 996-e. Community engagement and public oversight.
12 996-f. Utilization of other agency assistance.
13 996-g. Reports.
14 § 996. Definitions. As used in this article, the following terms shall
15 have the following meanings:
16 1. "commission" shall mean the commission on public safety, emergency
17 preparedness, and mental health established by this article.
18 2. "state agency" shall mean the state and any department, division,
19 board, bureau, commission or agency of the state or any political subdi-
20 vision thereof.
21 § 996-a. Commission on public safety, emergency preparedness, and
22 mental health. 1. There is hereby created within the executive depart-
23 ment a commission on public safety, emergency preparedness, and mental
24 health consisting of the superintendent of state police, commissioner of
25 the division of homeland security and emergency services, commissioner
26 of education, the chairperson of the disaster preparedness commission,
27 the commissioner of health, and the commissioner of mental health. Each
28 member agency may designate an executive level officer of that agency,
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[] is old law to be omitted.
LBD10110-01-3
A. 9024 2
1 with responsibility for disaster preparedness matters, who may represent
2 that agency on the commission.
3 2. The commission shall elect a chair, vice-chair, and any other
4 necessary officers from among the members of the commission. A majority
5 of the members of the commission then in office shall constitute a
6 quorum for the transaction of business or the exercise of any power or
7 function of the commission. The commission, on call of the chairperson,
8 shall meet at least quarterly and at such other times as may be neces-
9 sary. The agenda and meeting place of all regular meetings shall be made
10 available to the public in advance of such meetings and all such meet-
11 ings shall be open to the public. An act, determination or decision of
12 the majority of the members present during the presence of a quorum
13 shall be held to be the act, determination, or decision of the commis-
14 sion.
15 3. The members of the commission shall be allowed their actual and
16 necessary expenses incurred in the performance of their duties under
17 this article but shall receive no additional compensation for services
18 rendered pursuant to this article.
19 4. The commission shall have the following powers and responsibil-
20 ities:
21 (a) work with the division of school safety, division of emergency
22 preparedness, and the division of mental health to provide resources,
23 training, and support to schools and the community, as well as promote
24 awareness and reduce the stigma surrounding mental health.
25 (b) work with local emergency management agencies and mental health
26 organizations to improve the community's ability to respond to natural
27 disasters, public health emergencies, and other critical incidents.
28 (c) address critical issues related to public safety, emergency
29 preparedness, and mental health.
30 (d) provide a comprehensive approach to public safety, emergency
31 preparedness, and mental health.
32 (e) improve the overall safety and well-being of the community.
33 (f) provide resources and support to schools and the community to
34 promote mental health awareness and reduce the stigma surrounding mental
35 health.
36 (g) prioritize community engagement and public oversight.
37 § 996-b. Division of school safety. The division of school safety
38 shall be responsible for ensuring the safety of students, teachers, and
39 staff in schools. The division of school safety shall consist of the
40 members of the commission with representatives from local law enforce-
41 ment, school administrators, and school safety experts. The division of
42 school safety shall provide training and resources to schools, including
43 but not limited to threat assessments, school safety drills, and active
44 shooter response plans.
45 § 996-c. Division of emergency preparedness. The division of emergency
46 preparedness shall be responsible for developing and implementing emer-
47 gency preparedness plans for the community. The division of emergency
48 preparedness shall consist of the members of the commission with repre-
49 sentatives from local emergency management agencies, first responders,
50 and public health officials. The division of emergency preparedness
51 shall improve the ability of communities to respond to natural disas-
52 ters, public health emergencies, and other critical incidents.
53 § 996-d. Division of mental health. The division of mental health
54 shall be responsible for promoting mental health awareness in schools
55 and the community. The division of mental health shall consist of the
56 members of the commission with representatives from local mental health
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1 organizations, school counselors, and mental health professionals. The
2 division of mental health shall provide mental health resources and
3 training to schools, as well as support and referrals for students,
4 teachers, and staff.
5 § 996-e. Community engagement and public oversight. The commission
6 shall maintain a website where a member of the public can leave a public
7 comment on the commission. The commission shall also conduct hearings at
8 least twice a year where the public can comment on the commission. One
9 such hearing shall occur in a city with a population of one million or
10 more and another such hearing shall not occur in a city with a popu-
11 lation of one million or more.
12 § 996-f. Utilization of other agency assistance. All state agencies
13 are hereby authorized and directed to provide assistance and available
14 resources, as requested by the commission, in order to effectuate the
15 purposes of this article.
16 § 996-g. Reports. The commission shall report on its progress, accom-
17 plishments, findings, conclusions, recommendations, and activities to
18 the governor and to the legislature annually on or before the thirty-
19 first day of March of each year.
20 § 2. This act shall take effect immediately.
