BILL NUMBER: S3520A
SPONSOR: FERNANDEZ
 
TITLE OF BILL:
An act to amend the public health law and the state finance law, in
relation to medical use of psilocybin; and making an appropriation
therefor
 
PURPOSE OR GENERAL IDEA OF BILL:
To enable licensed facilitators to administer psilocybin-assisted thera-
py to those qualified patients as defined by this bill.
 
SUMMARY OF PROVISIONS:
§ 3369-aa: Definitions.
§ 3369-bb: Lawful medical use.
§ 3369-cc: Certification of facilitators.
§ 33.69-dd:
§ 3369-ee: Relation to other laws.
§ 3369-ff: Protections for the medical use of psilocybin.
§ 3699-gg: Regulations.
§ 3699-hh: Psilocybin Assisted Therapy (P.A.T)grant program
§ 3699-ii: Naturally grown medical psilocybin pilot program.
§ 3699-jj: Psilocybin Assisted Therapy advisory board.
§ 9 7uuuu* To establish a "Psilocybin Assisted Therapy (P.A.T.)" fund
 
DIFFERENCE BETWEEN ORIGINAL AND AMENDED VERSION (IF APPLICABLE):
This amendment adds "psychologist" to the list of accepted clinical
facilitators.
 
JUSTIFICATION:
Struggles with mental health ailments like PTSD, depression, anxiety,
and substance abuse disorder are often a major disruptor to a person's
livelihood. These ailments can deteriorate physical health, result in
performance deficits on tasks, and increase rates of suicide. Psilocybin
assisted therapies have been called a "breakthrough therapy" by the FDA
for providing people facing these mental ailments unbelievable response
rates and even high remission rates.
Certain populations have an increased prevalence of these health disrup-
tors. Data from the RAND Corporation show that 8,000 New York veterans
from the Wars in Iraq and Afghanistan suffer from PTSD. Firefighters,
police officers, and EMS workers have a higher prevalence of depression,
PTSD, and substance abuse than the general population. Beyond occupa-
tional hazards, a 2020 study in Science finds that people with low
incomes are three times as likely to have depression and anxiety. 1 in 5
New Yorkers suffer from symptoms but do not obtain care in programs
operated, funded, or regulated by the State but instead suffer in
silence or seek private therapy that is often out of network and cost
prohibitive. Establishing an accessible, widespread pathway to provide
New Yorkers with a medical treatment that yields immediate and signif-
icant results would be a monumental step forward in the mental health
crisis our state is facing. Oregon, Colorado, Texas, Washington and
several other states and cities across the U.S. have taken similar steps
in increasing access to psilocybin treatment.
Beyond enabling the use of this treatment, this legislation would also
create a fund for veterans, active and retired first responders, and
low-income individuals who can apply for financial support towards this
life changing treatment. This treatment gives a promising alternative to
a crisis that is only being exacerbated in today's society. As a State,
it is our duty to use every tool at our disposal to alleviate that
suffering for New Yorkers.
 
PRIOR LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:
2023: Referred to Finance
 
EFFECTIVE DATE:
This act shall take effect immediately.