BILL NUMBER: S5407
SPONSOR: HARCKHAM
 
TITLE OF BILL:
An act to amend the mental hygiene law, in relation to the "First
Responder Peer Support Program Act"
 
PURPOSE OR GENERAL IDEA OF BILL:
Enacts the first responder peer support program act
 
SUMMARY OF PROVISIONS:
Section 1 titles the bill "First Responder Peer Support Program Act"
Section 2 amends the mental hygiene law by adding new section 7.51 which
defines the terms "the program" and "eligible entities. Additionally,
(B) provides that the commissioner, subject to appropriation, shall
establish a statewide grant program that provides grants to eligible
entities for the purpose of establishing peer-to-peer mental health
programs for first responders.
(c) provides that the commissioner shall establish standards applicable
to the program. Such standards shall include, but not limited to,
initial and continued training for first responder peer volunteers,
administrative staffing needs, and best practices for addressing the
needs of each first responder served, including, but not limited to, a
warm handoff to mental health services for individuals identified as
being in duress.
(d)provides that the commissioner shall not require the recipient of any
grant under this section to maintain records on first responders seeking
support or report any personal identifying information directly or indi-
rectly to the commissioner
Section 3 states the effective date.
 
JUSTIFICATION:
First responders are frequently exposed to distressing situations. In
order to address the emotional toll on these individuals it is vital
that the state provides accessible resources such as peer support
programs.
The FBI has acknowledged that peer support programs are a unique service
as they allow individuals with personal experience to assist others
dealing with similar experiences through increased awareness, vigilance,
empathic responses and emotional validation. These Peer support services
have been proven effective in identifying risk factors for behavioral
and mental health problems, reducing stigma, creating a welcoming envi-
ronment and connecting individuals with outside professional resources
for additional care when necessary.
Modeled after the highly successful Joseph P. Dwyer Veterans Peer to
Peer Support Program, which was launched in 2012, this bill would estab-
lish a First Responder Peer Support Program. This program would focus on
prioritizing the mental well-being of the state's first responders. By
enacting this bill we can ensure that first responders have access to
the necessary systems to address some of the challenges they face.
 
PRIOR LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:
2023-2024: S7079A/A7552 - Passed Senate/ Died in Ways & Means
 
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS FOR STATE AND LOCAL GOVERNMENTS:
To be determined
 
EFFECTIVE DATE:
This act shall take effect on the one hundred twentieth day after it
shall have become a law.
1 https://leb.fbi.gov/articles/featured-articles/ first-responder-peer-
support-proqrams
2 https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pms/articles/
PMC10038377/ :~:text=Altoqether%2C%20
the%20available%20evidence%20suqqests,%2
Defficacy%2C%20and%/2Oreduces%20hospitalizations