Establishes a lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer or questioning plus crisis hotline

◆ The sponsor's argument

Why Nathalia Fernandez says this is needed

As of July 17, 2025, the Trump administration discontinued the dedicated "press 3" option for specialized LGBTQ+ youth crisis services on the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline. The specialized service, which had been a pilot program since 2022 and expanded in 2023, routed callers to counse- lors with specific training in LGBTQ+ issues. The federal Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration stated the decision was made to "no longer silo LGB+ youth services" and instead "focus on serv- ing all help seekers." An LGBTQ+ person calling the federal hotline for help will no longer be directed to an LGBTQ+ specialist but to a general crisis counselor who may or may not understand the needs of this popu- lation. New York needs to step in to fill the gap in services to our LGBTQ+ community. LGBTQ+ youth are four times more likely to attempt suicide than their heterosexual peers. Less than 5 % of the general US adult population has attempted suicide in their lifetime, but 40-% of trans- gender adults have attempted suicide. This disparity is attributed to factors like discrimination, family rejection, and lack of affirming environments. We need to take care of our fellow New Yorkers by offering support and help in times of crisis. A hotline is a positive step the state can make.

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.