BILL NUMBER: S5678
SPONSOR: ROLISON
 
TITLE OF BILL:
An act to amend the mental hygiene law, in relation to establishing a
law enforcement, first responder, active and non-active-duty service
members and veteran informational mobile application
 
PURPOSE OR GENERAL IDEA OF BILL:
Establishes a law enforcement, first responder, active and non-active-
duty service members and veteran informational mobile application.
 
SUMMARY OF PROVISIONS:
Section 1. The mental hygiene law is amended by adding a new section
7.49 to read as follows: § 7.49 Law enforcement, first responder, active
and non-active-duty service members and veteran informational mobile
application.
1. The office shall create and operate a New York-tailored, membership-
based mobile application for law enforcement personnel, first respon-
ders, and active and non-active-duty service members and veterans.
2. (a) The commissioner is authorized to contract with a mobile develop-
er to create and operate such application on a statewide basis following
a competitive bidding process as set forth in the state finance law.
(b)The commissioner, in consultation with the commissioner of criminal
justice services, the commissioner of veterans' services, and other
relevant stakeholders at the discretion of the commissioner, shall
include the following application platform deliverables, and any other
tools the commissioner shall deem necessary, in the request for
proposals:
(i) The platform shall have the capability to deliver education,
resources and support to law enforcement personnel, first responders,
active and nonactive-duty service members, veterans and their families,
including New York-specific information such as links to department and
other state agency programs and resources available to law enforcement
personnel, first responders, active and non-active-duty service members,
and veterans.
(ii) The platform shall demonstrate a consistent workflow to increase
awareness of state agency programs and resources available to users of
the mobile application.
(iii) The platform shall allow the department and other state agencies
to directly interface with users of the mobile application.
(iv) The platform shall have the capability to allow the department to
share specific content and resources with users of the mobile applica-
tion.
3. The selected mobile developer shall regularly provide the office, the
temporary president of the senate, the minority leader of the senate,
the speaker of the assembly, and the minority leader of the assembly
with aggregate, deidentified data concerning the following:
(a) the number of users of the mobile application that are engaging with
New York-specific content.
(b) the number of users of the mobile application seeking additional
information about other available resources.
(c) the number of monthly users of the mobile application.
(d) the number of daily users of the mobile application.
(e) the average length of time a user uses the mobile application.
(f) any other information requested by the department or other state
agencies.
4. The mobile application shall be available on multiple mobile plat-
forms.
5. The selected mobile developer shall not share, sell, or otherwise
process users' personal information except as strictly necessary for the
operation of the mobile application and shall not provide personally
identifiable information about any user to the department or any other
governmental entity.
Section 2. The act shall take effect on the first of April next succeed-
ing the date on which it shall have become law; provided, however, that
the department of health shall issue a request for proposals no late
than one hundred eighty days after this act shall have become a law.
 
JUSTIFICATION:
Reducing the incidents of law enforcement, first responder, active and
non-active-duty service members and veteran suicide is a top priority,
and we must actively work with and support our community partners to
connect these heroes in crisis to the best possible resources to help
them live a safe, healthy, quality life.
The free "Help For Heroes" smartphone mobile app will provide a lifeline
to those struggling with mental health challenges by providing various
resources right at their fingertips. These resources include but are not
limited to informational videos, reading materials, and behavioral
modification exercises. The mobile app will also offer peer-to-peer and
mental health professional support to guide them through their emotions
or send emergency suicide care.
The "Help For Heroes" app can be accessed twenty-four hours a day which
is a major advantage for people in a crisis. Together we can reduce the
growing epidemic of suicide and eradicate the stigma surrounding our
heroes from coming forward to seek help.
 
PRIOR LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:
New bill.
 
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS FOR STATE AND LOCAL GOVERNMENTS:
To be determined.
 
EFFECTIVE DATE:
This act shall take effect on the first of April next succeeding the
date on which it shall have become a law; provided, however, that the
department of health shall issue a request for proposals no later than
one hundred eighty days after this act shall have become a law.