Advocates are ramping up pressure on Gov. Kathy Hochul to spend more on mental health crisis teams, according to Spectrum News 1, as budget talks heat up in Albany. Supporters of Daniel’s Law say last year’s $8 million for three pilot programs won’t sustain long-term, non-police response teams.
Lawmakers approved the funding to launch pilots and a statewide Behavioral Health Technical Assistance Center. But advocates argue counties can’t build reliable 24/7 systems with less than $1 million per site, far below the $1.5 to $2 million yearly target recommended by a state task force.
Assembly sponsor Harry Bronson called the funding a start but said the state must expand the pilots. Hochul’s office says she remains committed and will negotiate with lawmakers as budget talks continue.
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