New York legislation · 2025-2026 General Assembly
New York A8434: Establishes the rural suicide prevention council
Status: In committee, June 4, 2026
Establishes the rural suicide prevention council to identify barriers to mental health and substance use treatment and prevention services and other policies, practices, resources, services, and potential legislation that aim to reduce death by suicide and suicide attempts and acknowledge the demographic and cultural differences in rural communities; makes related provisions.
What the bill says
An act to amend the mental hygiene law, in relation to establishing the rural suicide prevention council; and providing for the repeal of such provisions upon expiration thereof.
From the introduced text, May 16, 2025:
AN ACT to amend the mental hygiene law, in relation to establishing the rural suicide prevention council; and providing for the repeal of such provisions upon expiration thereof THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK, REPRESENTED IN SENATE AND ASSEMBLY, DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS: Section 1. The mental hygiene law is amended by adding a new section 7.49 to read as follows: § 7.49 RURAL SUICIDE PREVENTION COUNCIL. (A) THERE SHALL BE ESTABLISHED BY THE OFFICE, A COUNCIL ON RURAL SUICIDE PREVENTION. MEMBERS OF THE COUNCIL SHALL INCLUDE THE COMMISSIONER OR THE COMMISSIONER'S DESIGNEE, THE COMMISSIONER OF HEALTH OR THE COMMISSIONER'S DESIGNEE, AND THE COMMISSIONER OF AGRICULTURE AND MARKETS OR THE COMMISSIONER'S DESIGNEE. THERE SHALL BE TWELVE ADDITIONAL MEMBERS OF THE COUNCIL INCLUDING FOUR MEMBERS APPOINTED BY THE GOVERNOR; THREE MEMBERS SHALL BE APPOINTED BY THE SPEAKER OF THE ASSEMBLY; THREE MEMBERS SHALL BE APPOINTED BY THE TEMPORARY PRESIDENT OF THE SENATE; ONE MEMBER SHALL BE APPOINTED BY THE MINORITY LEADER OF THE ASSEMBLY; AND ONE MEMBER SHALL BE APPOINTED BY THE MINORITY LEADER OF THE SENATE. (B) THE COMMISSIONER SHALL DESIGNATE THE CHAIR FROM APPOINTED COUNCIL MEMBERS. VACANCIES IN THE MEMBERSHIP OF SUCH COUNCIL SHALL BE FILLED BY THE APPROPRIATE APPOINTING AUTHORITY. (C) THE MEMBERSHIP OF THE COUNCIL MAY INCLUDE, BUT NOT BE LIMITED TO, REPRESENTATIVES OF THE …
Sponsors
- Anna Kelles (D, 125) · primary sponsor
- Paula Kay (D, 100)
- Angelo Santabarbara (D, 111)
- Jo Simon (D, 52)
- Cashman, Michael (D, 115)
- Carrie Woerner (D, 113)
Latest actions
- : SUBSTITUTED BY S3610A
- : ORDERED TO THIRD READING RULES CAL.494
- : RULES REPORT CAL.494
- : REPORTED
- : REPORTED REFERRED TO RULES
- : REPORTED REFERRED TO WAYS AND MEANS
- : REFERRED TO MENTAL HEALTH
- : REFERRED TO MENTAL HEALTH
Votes
- Assembly Rules Committee: Favorable (June 4, 2026): 28 yea, 0 nay, passed
- Assembly Ways And Means Committee: Favorable refer to committee Rules (May 19, 2026): 30 yea, 0 nay, passed
- Assembly Mental Health Committee: Favorable refer to committee Ways and Means (February 25, 2026): 11 yea, 0 nay, passed
Subjects: Mental Hygiene Law
Common questions
- What is A8434?
- A8434 is a bill in the New York Legislature (2025-2026 General Assembly): Establishes the rural suicide prevention council.
- What does A8434 do?
- In its own words: An act to amend the mental hygiene law, in relation to establishing the rural suicide prevention council; and providing for the repeal of such provisions upon expiration thereof.
- What is the status of A8434?
- In committee as of June 4, 2026. Latest action: SUBSTITUTED BY S3610A (June 4, 2026).
- Who sponsored A8434?
- Anna Kelles (D, 125), with 5 co-sponsors.
- Where is the official record for A8434?
- On the New York Legislature website: https://www.nysenate.gov/legislation/bills/2025/A8434
Source: official New York record. Tracked by Delilah, AI for legislation across all 50 states and Congress.