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A03501 Summary:

BILL NOA03501
 
SAME ASSAME AS S02553
 
SPONSORAshby
 
COSPNSRByrne, Manktelow, Lawler, Tague, Norris, Angelino, DeStefano
 
MLTSPNSR
 
Add §7.49, Ment Hyg L
 
Enacts the health care worker peer support program.
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A03501 Memo:

NEW YORK STATE ASSEMBLY
MEMORANDUM IN SUPPORT OF LEGISLATION
submitted in accordance with Assembly Rule III, Sec 1(f)
 
BILL NUMBER: A3501
 
SPONSOR: Ashby
  TITLE OF BILL: An act to amend the mental hygiene law, in relation to enacting the health care worker peer support program; and making an appropriation therefor   PURPOSE OR GENERAL IDEA OF BILL: To amend the state law, in relation enacting the health care worker peer support program; and making an appropriation therefor   SUMMARY OF PROVISIONS: Section 1 establishes the name of the act as the "health care worker peer support program". Section 2 amends the mental hygiene law by creating a new section 7.49, which creates the health care worker peer support program. Section 7.49 establishes definitions for the program and directs the commissioner of mental health to establish standards for this program as well as create a grant program to support it. Section 3 appropriates $10,000,000 to the office of mental health to support the health care worker peer support program. Section 4 establishes the effective date. Click here to enter text.   JUSTIFICATION: In 2020, the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic in New York State revealed the depths of sacrifice that health care workers are willing to make for the benefit of their community. Several news outlets - includ- ing Newsday - have cited the effects that the response has had on these health care workers, with many experiencing anxiety and depression as well as a potential for lasting post-traumatic stress disorder. These negative mental effects have serious consequences. On April 28th, 2020, CNN reported that Dr. Lorna Breen committed suicide; Dr. Breen was a New York City area emergency room doctor who not only treated COVID-19 patients but contracted it herself. This bill aims to prevent such trag- edies by using a well-established support methodology; establishing a peer-to-peer support program. This legislation' is modeled on the Joseph P. Dwyer peer-to-peer program, which provides mental health support to veterans by providing for confidential, peer-to-peer approach. This legislation also provides $10,000,000 in appropriations for support of the program, and going forward it will be subject to appropriations in the budget process. This bill, which uses tried-and-true solutions to mental health prob- lems, will provide peace of mind to frontline health care workers in the future and will also help New York State lead the way in doing all it can for these important individuals.   PRIOR LEGISLATIVE HISTORY: 2020: A.10950 - Referred to mental health.   FISCAL IMPLICATIONS: $10,000,000 in FY 2021.   EFFECTIVE DATE: This act shall take effect immediately.
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