Relates to requiring certain fees be deposited into the mental illness anti-stigma fund

• Democratic1
• Republican1

◆ The sponsor's argument

Why Lea Webb says this is needed

Studies show that individuals dealing with mental health conditions in the United States are increasing among all age groups, and stigma continues to be a barrier to treatment services and supports. The National Council for Mental Well-Being indicated that the average delay between onset of mental illness symptoms and treatment is 11 years. In 2020, a survey cited by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) found that almost 41% of respondents are struggling with mental health issues. More specifically, 31% of the study participants reported experiencing symptoms of anxiety or depression, 26% experienced traumas or stressor-related disorder symptoms, 13% indicated they started or increased substance use, and 11% stated they have considered suicide in the last 30 days. In 2016, New York State established the Mental Health Anti-Stigma Fund. Current law directs revenues received through the voluntary tax checkoff program which allows taxpayers, on their NYS tax filing, to contribute to the Anti-Stigma Fund in support of work which promotes the reduction of stigma towards persons with mental illness. In 2020, the Assembly One House Budget provided language that would have directed revenue generated from fees related to processing operating certificates for voluntary service providers under the jurisdiction of the Office of Mental Health (OMB) into the Anti-Stigma Fund. Current law requires the fees to be placed in the general fund. This bill would help to further reduce the stigma of individuals strug- gling with a mental health disorder and promote the benefit of mental health treatment by requiring OMH to direct funds generated from fees for processing operating certificates into the Mental Health Anti-Stigma Fund. Section 2 of this bill provides that the effective date shall take effect immediately.

This is the sponsor's own case for the bill, quoted from their memorandum. It is not Agora's description of what the bill does.