Int. No. 1704
By Council Members Levine, Cumbo, Adams, Kallos, Ampry-Samuel, Gibson, Powers, Brannan and Eugene
A Local Law to amend the administrative code of the city of New York, in relation to requiring the department to provide mental health information, training, and support services to officers
Be it enacted by the Council as follows:
Section 1. Chapter 1 of title 14 of the administrative code of the city of New York is amended by adding a new section 14-181 to read as follows:
§ 14-181 a. Definitions. For the purposes of this section, the following terms have the following meanings:
Available resources. The term “available resources” means resources available to department employees to treat and address mental health conditions, including, but not limited to, treatment options covered under employee health insurance plans, treatment options provided by community-based or not-for-profit organizations specializing in peer-led mental health provision and treatment options provided through peer-led initiatives.
Interactive training. The term “interactive training” means participatory teaching whereby the trainee is engaged in a trainer-trainee interaction, use of audio-visuals, computer or online training program or other participatory forms of training as determined by the commissioner. Such "interactive training" is not required to be live or facilitated by an in-person instructor.
Mental health condition. The term “mental health condition” means a common mental health condition, including, but not limited to, depression, anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder, and suicide.
Mental health risk factor. The term “mental health risk factor” means a factor that increases the risks of developing or worsening a mental health condition.
Mental health symptom. The term “mental health symptom” means a sign or symptom associated with a mental health condition.
b. First responder support services. The department shall contract with or employ a sufficient number of clinicians to provide mental health support services to all uniformed members of service.
c. First responder wellness sessions. The department shall make available to each uniformed member of service an annual confidential wellness session with a clinician, in order to:
1. Provide information to the officer on mental health conditions, mental health risk factors and mental health symptoms.
2. Discuss available resources provided by the department, including confidentiality guidelines related to such services.
3. Discuss available resources provided outside the department by third party organizations, including services that are offered at no cost or reduced cost for uniformed members of service, treatment provided by peer-based organizations and treatment covered by health insurance.
4. Discuss personal symptoms and conditions pursuant to established confidentiality guidelines, except that officers shall not be required to discuss personal symptoms or conditions at wellness information sessions.
d. Mental health information and training. 1. The commissioner shall post conspicuously on the department’s website and at each command information about mental health, including but not limited to mental health conditions, mental health risk factors, mental health symptoms, and available resources for treating mental health conditions.
2. All officers shall receive annual interactive training on first responder mental health. Such training shall include information about mental health conditions, mental health risk factors, mental health symptoms, available resources, and registration for first responder wellness sessions.
§ 2. This local law takes effect 120 days after it becomes law, except that the police commissioner may promulgate any rules and regulations necessary to implement this local law on or before its effective date.
SIL/ D.A.
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