Legislation introduced by Assemblywoman Judy Griffin, and widely backed by law enforcement agencies statewide, has been adopted by both houses of the legislature, with no dissenting votes.

The bill (A.6721-A/S.6244-A), which will be sent to the Governor for final enactment, would establish a formal peer mental health counseling program for law enforcement officers by offering formal professional training to designated police personnel, and authorize those officers to provide confidential counseling to their fellow officers.

“The goal of this legislation is to provide access to suitable mental health resources that will provide effective support for our law enforcement officers, so that they may better serve our citizens,” stated Assemblywoman Griffin. “By nature of their profession, the repetitive trauma experienced in the aftermath of imminent danger, violence, and loss of life associated with emergency response operations is well documented and can exact a toll, both personally and professionally. When these daunting experiences are not processed and addressed, they have the potential to exacerbate and disrupt all areas of life. When my bill becomes law, it will help ensure that any officer struggling with these issues will have a confidential and proximate resource for timely, direct assistance with a trained peer.”

The bill was sponsored and championed in the Senate by Senator James Skoufis (D-Cornwall), who stated, “Law enforcement officers serve and sacrifice for our communities every day, and this legislation helps ensure they get the mental health support they need. I'm heartened by the support this bill received in both houses of the legislature and look forward to the good work this legislation will accomplish."

New York Attorney General Letitia James said, “Too many law enforcement officers struggle with PTSD, depression, and other mental issues that are hurting their families and putting them at a higher risk of suicide. The Lieutenant Joseph Banish Mental Health Act ensures that law enforcement officials throughout the state have the resources to get the help they desperately need. I applaud Assemblywoman Judy Griffin and Senator James Skoufis for passing this legislation to support law enforcement officers and the communities they serve.”

New York State Assembly Speaker Carl E. Heastie said, “The peer-to-peer mental health support that the Lieutenant Joseph Banish Mental Health Act provides will be a lifeline for law enforcement officers. It will give them a safe space to process and discuss the traumatic events they experienced on the job with a peer that uniquely understands their circumstances. Thank you to Assemblymember Judy Griffin for her hard work and dedication to bringing this resource to officers here in New York State.”

Assemblywoman Michaelle Solages, a lead Assembly sponsor of the bill, said, “This legislation is a compassionate and practical response to the mental health challenges faced by law enforcement officers across New York. By creating a confidential, peer-led support system, we are empowering officers to seek help without fear or stigma. It’s a critical step toward saving lives, improving public safety, and showing that we value the well-being of those who serve. I was proud to support this effort, and I urge the Governor to swiftly sign it into law. Thank you to Assemblywoman Griffin and to our law enforcement community for your unwavering commitment to this cause.”

The confidentiality included in the legislation is consistent with other types of professional mental health services in New York, and those officers formally designated as peer counselors will receive comprehensive training in this regard.

This bill is modeled after the successful federal COPS Counseling Act, which was enacted for federal law enforcement officers in 2021. Since that time, several states, including Oregon, Massachusetts, Nevada, Kentucky, and Ohio, have passed similar legislation for their police officers.

The legislation was introduced in memory of Lt. Joseph Banish, a New York State Trooper who died by suicide. Lt. Banish’s brother, Jim Banish, a retired law enforcement officer, has honored his brother’s memory by advocating for programs such as this that help officers deal with mental health issues and prevent suicide. Banish is also the Founder and President of the New York Law Enforcement Assistance Program (NYLEAP), a non-profit organization created to educate and assist law enforcement agencies all over the state of New York and beyond. Jim Banish joined forces with Tommy Shevlin, President of Nassau County PBA to highlight the vital need for peer support statewide, create awareness, and prevent suicide. Police Officers are 54% more likely to commit suicide than the general population.

Tommy Shevlin stated, “As President of the Nassau County PBA, I’ve seen firsthand the emotional toll this profession takes on our officers. We’re facing a mental health crisis in law enforcement, and the rising rate of officer suicides is a tragic reminder that we must do more. I’m proud to have helped lead the charge for this critical legislation, and I thank the Assembly and Senate for their unanimous, bipartisan support. The bill gives officers a trusted peer to turn to - someone who understands the weight of the badge – and it will absolutely save lives. It’s a turning point for how we care for those who protect us.”

Jim Banish added, “This single piece of legislation, once signed, will start saving lives immediately. Law Enforcement officers statewide will now be able to reach out for help confidentially without the fear of retribution or retaliation. Lt. Joseph J. Banish would have benefited from this law, and I’m honored and proud to have worked with some amazing people to see it get passed. Thank you to all that played a part in seeing this through and helping to save lives and get officers back to work in a healthy frame of mind.”

Griffin concluded, “The unanimous passage and bi-partisan support from virtually every region of our state is an encouraging message to every law enforcement officer, from local villages and towns to larger urban departments alike. This is a message of hope, of compassion, and recognition of the unique struggles faced by the courageous men and women who protect us all.”