New York legislation · 2025-2026 General Assembly
New York A7285: Relates to the first responder peer support program act
Status: In committee, October 23, 2026
Establishes the "first responder peer support program act" which supplies peer-to-peer mental health programs to first responders.
What the bill says
An act to amend the mental hygiene law, in relation to the "First Responder Peer Support Program Act".
From the amended text, October 23, 2026:
AN ACT to amend the mental hygiene law, in relation to the "First Responder Peer Support Program Act" THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK, REPRESENTED IN SENATE AND ASSEMBLY, DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS: Section 1. This act shall be known and may be cited as the "First Responder Peer Support Program Act". § 2. The mental hygiene law is amended by adding a new section 19.47 to read as follows: § 19.47 FIRST RESPONDER PEER SUPPORT PROGRAM. (A) FOR THE PURPOSES OF THIS SECTION, THE FOLLOWING TERMS SHALL HAVE THE FOLLOWING MEANINGS: 1. "THE PROGRAM" SHALL MEAN THE "FIRST RESPONDER PEER SUPPORT PROGRAM" ESTABLISHED BY THIS SECTION. 2. "ELIGIBLE ENTITIES" SHALL MEAN AN ENTITY OR COUNTY FIRST RESPONDER PEER PROGRAM WHICH SUBMITS TO THE COMMISSIONER AN APPLICATION, IN A FORM PRESCRIBED BY THE COMMISSIONER, CONTAINING SUCH INFORMATION AND ASSURANCES AS THE COMMISSIONER MAY REQUIRE TO PROVIDE INITIAL AND CONTINUED TRAINING IN MENTAL ILLNESS, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO, HELPING INDIVIDUALS GAIN A BETTER UNDERSTANDING ABOUT THE EFFECTS OF TRAUMA, REPETITIVE EXPOSURE, SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS OF TRAUMA, TRIGGERS OF A TRAUMATIC EXPLANATION--Matter in ITALICS (underscored) is new; matter in brackets [ ] is old law to be omitted. LBD10098-12-6 A. 7285--B 2 EVENT, COPING MECHANISMS, SUICIDE OR SELF-HARM PREVENTION, AS WELL AS AVAILABLE TOOLS, RESOURCES, AND LOCAL MENTAL HEALTH …
Sponsors
- Christopher Burdick (D, 93) · primary sponsor
- Christopher Eachus (D, 99)
- Maryjane Shimsky (D, 92)
- Anil Beephan (R, 105)
- Scott Bendett (R, 107)
- Rebecca Seawright (D, 76)
- Angelo Santabarbara (D, 111)
- Dana Levenberg (D, 95)
- Steven Otis (D, 91)
- Matthew Simpson (R, 114)
- Joseph Angelino (R, 121)
- Jacob Blumencranz (R, 15)
Latest actions
- : PRINT NUMBER 7285B
- : AMEND AND RECOMMIT TO MENTAL HEALTH
- : REPORTED REFERRED TO WAYS AND MEANS
- : REFERRED TO MENTAL HEALTH
- : PRINT NUMBER 7285A
- : AMEND AND RECOMMIT TO MENTAL HEALTH
- : REFERRED TO MENTAL HEALTH
Votes
- Assembly Mental Health Committee: Favorable refer to committee Ways and Means (May 19, 2026): 12 yea, 0 nay, passed
Subjects: Mental Hygiene Law
Common questions
- What is A7285?
- A7285 is a bill in the New York Legislature (2025-2026 General Assembly): Relates to the first responder peer support program act.
- What does A7285 do?
- In its own words: An act to amend the mental hygiene law, in relation to the "First Responder Peer Support Program Act".
- What is the status of A7285?
- In committee as of October 23, 2026. Latest action: PRINT NUMBER 7285B (October 23, 2026).
- Who sponsored A7285?
- Christopher Burdick (D, 93), with 11 co-sponsors.
- Where is the official record for A7285?
- On the New York Legislature website: https://www.nysenate.gov/legislation/bills/2025/A7285
Source: official New York record. Tracked by Delilah, AI for legislation across all 50 states and Congress.