Watch Senator Brock talk about the bill
Albany, New York – Senator Samra Brock, chair of the Senate Committee on Mental Health, has reintroduced Daniel’s Law, a comprehensive piece of legislation that would address public health responses to New Yorkers experiencing a mental health breakdown and/or substance abuse crisis. Consensus-based care and the role of law enforcement and reduce the use of force against an individual (S2398 BROOK). Watch Senator Brock speak about Daniel’s Law.
The Daniels Act establishes a statewide Emergency and Crisis Response Council to encourage local governments to develop prevention, rehabilitation, crisis response and medical services. This approach provides a comprehensive and safe way to respond to mental health and substance abuse crises in our community with safety, care and compassion. The emphasis on local governments ensures that states have the authority to structure resources to meet the needs of communities, including urban communities, rural communities, and every community in between.
The law is named after Daniel Prude, a man who died after an encounter with police in Rochester during a mental health crisis. Senator Brock and Assemblyman Harry Bronson have reintroduced the bill in the House along with the Monroe County Democratic state delegation to ensure that all people with mental health or substance abuse problems are treated with the care and respect they deserve. .
The purpose of this Act is to:-
- Promote the health, safety and well-being of citizens in New York by ensuring a comprehensive public health-based response to anyone experiencing a mental health or substance abuse problem.
- To provide the most appropriate response, treatment, and transportation to individuals experiencing crisis due to mental health conditions or substance abuse, and
- To exacerbate crisis situations so that as few New Yorkers as possible experience the consequences of nonconsensual transportation, use of force, or crime as a result of a mental health or substance abuse crisis.
Senator Samra Brock, Chair of the Mental Health Committee: “We must pass Daniel’s Law to transform our mental health and substance abuse crisis systems. Named for Daniel Prude, who was killed by law enforcement in a mental health crisis, Daniel’s Law ensures that every New Yorker gets the treatment and compassion they need, not lethal force.
Assemblyman Harry Bronson: “Members of our community, including those from Black Lives Matter, Free the People Roc and the Rochester clergy, were making their voices heard for all who would listen and call for change. I am committed to justice, equality and change, believing that if we work together, we can make a difference. Daniel’s Law promotes the public health, safety and well-being of all families by broadly ensuring a public health-based response to anyone experiencing a mental health or alcohol use or substance abuse problem in New York. To provide and ensure the most appropriate response to treatment and transportation for individuals experiencing crisis due to mental health conditions or substance abuse, and to mitigate crisis situations so that as few New Yorkers as possible experience the consequences of nonconsensual transportation, use of force, or crime due to mental health or substance abuse crisis. Together, we will ensure that this type of disaster does not repeat itself in our society, our region or our people.