BILL NUMBER: S1801A
SPONSOR: FERNANDEZ
 
TITLE OF BILL:
An act to amend the public health law and the state finance law, in
relation to establishing a psilocybin assisted therapy pilot program for
veterans and first responders and a psilocybin assisted therapy pilot
program fund; and making an appropriation therefor
 
PURPOSE OR GENERAL IDEA OF BILL:
To establish a state-administered, federally compliant psilocybin-as-
sisted therapy pilot program for veterans, first responders, and retired
first responders; P.A.T. fund created to support the program with a
philanthropic match option.
 
SUMMARY OF PROVISIONS:
Section 1: Amends the public health law by adding a new section, 3309-c,
which establishes the psilocybin assisted therapy pilot program, defines
key terms, and sets program parameters including eligibility, SUNY
academic health center partnerships and federal compliance.
Section 2: Amends the state finance law by adding a new section 99-uu to
establish the psilocybin assisted therapy (P.A.T.) pilot program fund.
Section 3: Appropriates $5,000,000.
Section 4: Establishes effective date.
 
JUSTIFICATION:
New York is facing a sustained and growing mental health crisis, partic-
ularly among our veterans and first responders who experience dispropor-
tionate rates of PTSD, treatment-resistant depression, anxiety and
substance use disorders. Traditional treatment models too often fall
short for these populations, leaving individuals cycling through medica-
tions and services that fail to address the underlying trauma.
This pilot program positions New York to lead responsibly in this emerg-
ing field by leveraging partnerships with State University of New York
(SUNY) academic health centers that already possess clinical research
infrastructure and experience with FDA- and IRB-approved trials. By
embedding this pilot within SUNY, the state can support the development
of a trained clinical workforce, establish best practices and ensure
that any future expansion of P.A.T. is grounded in rigorous data,
patient safety and New York-specific standards.
The legislation is structured to maximize public investment by allowing
philanthropic matching funds, enabling New York to advance innovation
without over-committing state resources. Through this pilot, New York
can generate state-specific data, train clinicians and deliver meaning-
ful mental health support to those who have served our communities.
 
PRIOR LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:
2023-2024, A8349a - referred to health
 
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS FOR STATE AND LOCAL GOVERNMENTS:
$5,000,000
 
EFFECTIVE DATE:
This act shall take effect immediately.