Albany, NY – Nearly five years after the tragic death of Daniel Prude, Senator Samra Brouk (SD-55) and Assemblymember Harry Bronson (AD-138) are proud to announce that the FY’ 25-26 Senate and Assembly One House Budget proposals include language to fully fund the implementation of Daniel’s Law (S3670/A461) and establish a Behavioral Health Crisis Technical Assistance Center (BHC TAC), bringing New York State one step closer to a statewide crisis response system that uses peer-led crisis response teams to help individuals experiencing a mental health or substance use crisis.

Both the Senate and Assembly One House Resolutions call for $22 million for the implementation of Daniel’s Law (S3670/A461), with the Senate including the bill in its entirety. This investment includes $20 million to assist localities and counties with establishing the crisis response model, as well as $2 million to establish a Statewide Behavioral Health Crisis Technical Assistance Center (BHC TAC).

The allocation reflects recommendations made in the Daniel’s Law Task Force Report, released in December 2024, which includes a state-wide definition for response protocol in a behavioral or substance use health crisis. The accompanying BHC TAC center will develop standardized protocols and provide localities with technical assistance for implementing a non-police behavioral health crisis response system, identify methods for improving interoperability between 911 and 988, maintain a database of strategies, collect and analyze data for quality monitoring, and provide information to local communities with the goal of providing operational support for emergency and crisis services.

Support for the implementation of Daniel’s Law has come from throughout the state, all of whom have pointed to the harm caused by the current response system. Advocates include: The Daniel’s Law Coalition, The Alliance for Rights and Recovery (NYAPRS), Black Puerto Rican Hispanic and Asian Caucus, Chinese American Planning Council, Citizen Action, Correct Crisis Intervention Today – NYC (CCIT-NYC), DC-37 AFSCME AFL-CIO, Families Together in NYS, Fountain House, Friends of Recovery – New York, Law Enforcement Action Partnership, Law Enforcement Assisted Diversion, Mental Health Alliance of NYS, NAMI-National Alliance on Mental Illness (NYC and NYS), National Association of Social Workers, New York Civil Liberties Union (NYCLU), New York Lawyers for the Public Interest, Partnership for the Public Good, Public Issues Committee of the Long Island Council of Churches, Rochester Alliance of Communities Transforming Society (ROCActs), Rochester City Council, Rochester City Wide Tenants Union, Rochester Monroe Anti-Poverty Initiative (RMAPI), Showing Up for Racial Justice – NYC, The Supportive Housing Network of New York (SHNNY), VOCAL New York, VOICE Buffalo, and the Working Families Party.

Although the proposals from the Senate and Assembly offer significant progress for our state, our fight is not over. We encourage advocates and constituents to continue voicing their support for Daniel’s Law to secure this funding in the final state budget this year.

“After five years of sustained advocacy, we are proud to announce the full inclusion of Daniel’s Law in the One House Budget. The Daniel’s Law Task Force’s recommendations have paved the way for the full passage of Daniel’s Law in this year’s budget. With an initial investment of $22 million in the Senate One House Budget, we can implement a statewide crisis response that empowers localities,” said Senator Samra Brouk. “State funding will allow us to assist local governments with developing their crisis response infrastructure, so that all New Yorkers can have the right first responder help them navigate a mental health crisis – whether they live in urban, suburban, or rural areas.”

“As we reach the fifth anniversary of Daniel Prude’s death, we are poised to make lasting changes to New York’s crisis response model. The Assembly One House budget secured $22 million for the Daniel’s Law Pilot Program and, together with Senator Brouk and our legislative partners, we are working to fully fund Daniel’s Law in the final budget,” said Assemblymember Harry Bronson. “This could not have come about without the recommendations of the Daniel’s Law Task Force, which worked tirelessly to demonstrate the need for a statewide standardized crisis response framework that is adaptable to the needs of urban, suburban, and rural communities. All New Yorkers experiencing a mental health or substance use crisis deserve access to person and community-centered, peer led, culturally and linguistically appropriate, equitable, compassionate care. By fully funding Daniel’s Law in the final budget, we can make that a reality.”

“Building upon the success of Rochester’s Person in Crisis Team, Daniel’s Law will pave the way for critically important statewide tools to prevent future tragedies in instances of mental health or addiction crises,” said Rochester Mayor Malik D. Evans. “The inclusion of language in the One House Budget Proposal to implement the objectives of this law is a welcome development. I applaud State Senator Samra Brouk and Assemblymember Harry Bronson for fighting for this legislation to make sure our most vulnerable residents receive a compassionate response when they call for help.”

“Daniel’s Law and the tireless work of Senator Brouk and Assemblymember Harry Bronson have helped change the trajectory of how New York State responds to mental and behavioral health crisis. Senator Brouk, along with Assemblymember Harry Bronson, have been allies in this work and the efforts of the Person In Crisis (PIC) First Responder Team,” said Alia Henton-Williams, Manager of The City of Rochester’s Crisis Intervention Services Unit. “Their efforts in ensuring the inclusion of Daniel’s Law in the Senate and Assembly budgets affirm that the laws made must reflect the real needs and priorities of our communities. Supporting mental health is a necessity that allows us to invest in the well- being of individuals, families and society, fostering a future where every person has the opportunity to thrive.”

“Daniel’s Law is critical to keep our communities safe, and its inclusion in both Senate and Assembly One House Budgets is an important step towards that goal,” said Shay Herbert, organizer at the New York Civil Liberties Union. “No New Yorker should die at the hands of the police because they have a disability, struggle with their mental health, or have used drugs. Five years after the police killing of Daniel Prude, we urge our lawmakers to get this much-needed legislation to the finish line and finally end our over-reliance on police as first responders in every crisis.”

“NAMI Rochester fully supports the inclusion of funding for the implementation of Daniel’s Law (S3670/A461) in the FY 25-26 One House Budget proposals. A peer-led, community- based crisis response system is a critical step toward ensuring that individuals experiencing a mental health or substance use crisis receive the compassionate and appropriate care they deserve,” said Donna Leigh-Estes, Executive Director and CEO of NAMI Rochester. “By allocating $22 million toward Daniel’s Law, including $20 million for local implementation and $2 million for a statewide Behavioral Health Crisis Technical Assistance Center (BHC TAC), New York State is making a meaningful investment in safer, more effective crisis intervention. These funds will help build a response system that prioritizes de-escalation, treatment, and support rather than criminalization.

NAMI Rochester urges legislators to maintain this funding in the final state budget. We stand with advocates across the state in calling for a crisis response system that truly serves individuals in need with dignity and care.”

“We’re incredibly grateful to the Senate for not only including critical funding for the first phase of Daniel’s Law implementation, but also for passing the full legislation in their one house budget,” said Luke Sikinyi, Vice President for Public Policy at the Alliance for Rights and Recovery. “New Yorkers in crisis deserve a health-led response that centers peers and mental health experts to truly support them. Creating Daniel’s Law mental health first responder teams is a vital step toward building a system that centers real support, safety, and dignity.”