BILL NUMBER: S9093
SPONSOR: FERNANDEZ
 
TITLE OF BILL:
An act to amend the mental hygiene law, in relation to establishing a
lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer or questioning plus crisis
hotline
 
PURPOSE OR GENERAL IDEA OF BILL:
This bill will provide for a state LGBTQ+ crisis hotline.
 
SUMMARY OF PROVISIONS:
Section one adds a new section 36.08 to the mental hygiene law, estab-
lishing a state LGBTQ+ crisis hotline.
 
JUSTIFICATION:
As of July 17, 2025, the Trump administration discontinued the dedicated
"press 3" option for specialized LGBTQ+ youth crisis services on the 988
Suicide and Crisis Lifeline. The specialized service, which had been a
pilot program since 2022 and expanded in 2023, routed callers to counse-
lors with specific training in LGBTQ+ issues. The federal Substance
Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration stated the decision was
made to "no longer silo LGB+ youth services" and instead "focus on serv-
ing all help seekers." An LGBTQ+ person calling the federal hotline for
help will no longer be directed to an LGBTQ+ specialist but to a general
crisis counselor who may or may not understand the needs of this popu-
lation.
New York needs to step in to fill the gap in services to our LGBTQ+
community. LGBTQ+ youth are four times more likely to attempt suicide
than their heterosexual peers. Less than 5 % of the general US adult
population has attempted suicide in their lifetime, but 40-% of trans-
gender adults have attempted suicide. This disparity is attributed to
factors like discrimination, family rejection, and lack of affirming
environments. We need to take care of our fellow New Yorkers by offering
support and help in times of crisis. A hotline is a positive step the
state can make.
 
PRIOR LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:
New bill.
 
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS FOR STATE AND LOCAL GOVERNMENTS:TBD
 
EFFECTIVE DATE:
This act shall take effect on the first of January next succeeding the
date in which it shall have become a law.