A 279: Requires parity in the mental and physical health treatment of the residents of New York state; provides that both mental and physical health "will be matters of public concern and provision therefor shall be made by the state and by such of its subdivisions".

  
  STATE OF NEW YORK ________________________________________________________________________ 279 2025-2026 Regular Sessions  IN ASSEMBLY (Prefiled) January 8, 2025 ___________ Introduced by M. of A. BARRETT, ZINERMAN, MAGNARELLI, SIMON, SEAWRIGHT, STERN, GONZALEZ-ROJAS, FORREST, REYES, BURDICK, DINOWITZ, HEVESI, JACKSON, BUTTENSCHON, OTIS, MEEKS, LUPARDO, KELLES, WEPRIN, STECK, RAGA -- Multi-Sponsored by -- M. of A. ANGELINO -- read once and referred to the Committee on Mental Health CONCURRENT RESOLUTION OF THE SENATE AND ASSEMBLY proposing amendments to sections 3 and 4 of article 17 of the constitu- tion, in relation to the protection and promotion of the mental health of New Yorkers 1 Section 1. Resolved (if the Senate concur), That section 3 of article 2 17 of the constitution be amended to read as follows: 3 § 3. The protection and promotion of the physical and mental health of 4 the inhabitants of the state are matters of public concern and provision 5 therefor shall be made by the state and by such of its subdivisions and 6 in such manner, and by such means as the legislature shall from time to 7 time determine. 8 § 2. Resolved (if the Senate concur), That section 4 of article 17 of 9 the constitution be amended to read as follows: 10 § 4. The care and treatment of persons suffering from mental disorder 11 or defect and the protection of the mental health of the inhabitants of 12 the state [may] shall be provided by state and local authorities and in 13 such manner as the legislature [may] shall from time to time determine. 14 The head of the department of mental hygiene shall visit and inspect, or 15 cause to be visited and inspected by members of [his or her] the head of 16 the department's staff, all institutions either public or private used 17 for the care and treatment of persons suffering from mental disorder or 18 defect. 19 § 3. Resolved (if the Senate concur), That the foregoing amendment be 20 referred to the first regular legislative session convening after the 21 next succeeding general election of members of the assembly, and, in 22 conformity with section 1 of article 19 of the constitution, be 23 published for 3 months previous to the time of such election. EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets [ ] is old law to be omitted. LBD89003-01-5