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2025-02-05 Joint Legislative Hearing on the 2025-2026 Executive Budget on Mental Hygiene Chair: Sen. Liz Krueger View full transcript → Archive

Wire Brief

The New York State Legislature held a joint hearing on February 5, 2025, to examine Governor Hochul's proposed 2025-2026 Executive Budget for mental hygiene agencies, with testimony revealing significant workforce challenges and concerns about proposed expansions to involuntary commitment. Commissioner Ann Marie Sullivan of the Office of Mental Health highlighted the state's $1 billion mental health investment, noting that Safe Options Support teams have housed 884 previously unsheltered individuals and conducted 67,000 encounters. The budget proposes $16.5 million for Assisted Outpatient Treatment expansion and amendments to involuntary commitment criteria. However, multiple advocates and legislators expressed concern that expanding involuntary commitment without adequate community services would be counterproductive. Commissioner Chinazo Cunningham of the Office of Addiction Services and Supports reported a 17 percent decrease in overdose deaths statewide (approximately 900 lives saved between 2023-2024), though he acknowledged the decrease is not equitable across racial communities. OASAS has distributed over 250,000 naloxone kits and nearly 22 million fentanyl and xylazine test strips. Acting Commissioner Willow Baer of the Office for People With Developmental Disabilities highlighted an $850 million rate rebasing investment (13 percent average increase) and noted that 3,000 new state-operated employees were hired this year. However, providers reported 17 percent vacancy rates and 35 percent turnover rates, indicating ongoing workforce challenges. A consistent theme across testimony was criticism of the proposed 2.1 percent targeted inflationary increase, with advocates and providers arguing it falls short of actual inflation rates (2.9 percent) and requesting a 7.8 percent increase. Direct support professionals earn approximately $17.23 per hour in nonprofit settings compared to $25-27 per hour in state-operated facilities, creating significant recruitment and retention challenges. Joe Tobia, a Steuben County legislator whose son died by suicide in 2021, testified in support of the Rural Suicide Prevention Council (Bill 3610), which was vetoed by the Governor last year. He described his son's struggles to access mental health services and proposed specific improvements to the bill. Advocates from the recovery community, disability rights organizations, and service providers emphasized the need for sustainable funding, adequate housing, and comprehensive community-based services rather than expanded involuntary commitment. Multiple witnesses noted that treatment is episodic while recovery is lifelong, requiring long-term support systems. The hearing, which lasted over 10 hours, included testimony from state agency officials, local government representatives, service providers, family members, and self-advocates, reflecting the complex and interconnected nature of New York's mental hygiene system.

Topic Summary

Joint hearing on Governor Hochul's proposed 2025-2026 Executive Budget for mental hygiene agencies including the Office of Mental Health, Office of Addiction Services and Supports, Office for People With Developmental Disabilities, and the Justice Center for the Protection of People With Special Needs. Testimony covered mental health crisis response, workforce compensation, housing, substance use disorder treatment, and proposed expansions to involuntary commitment and assisted outpatient treatment.

Testimony (25)

Ann Marie T. Sullivan, M.D. agency_official informational
Commissioner, New York State Office of Mental Health
Commissioner Sullivan presented the OMH budget proposal emphasizing prevention services, community-based care, and specialized services for high-need individuals. She highlighted the Safe Options Support initiative which has housed 884 individuals and conducted 67,000 encounters. She discussed proposed amendments to involuntary commitment criteria and Assisted Outpatient Treatment expansion with $16.5 million in funding.
Chinazo Cunningham, M.D. agency_official informational
Commissioner, New York State Office of Addiction Services and Supports
Commissioner Cunningham reported a 17 percent decrease in overdose deaths statewide (approximately 900 lives saved between 2023-2024). He discussed opioid settlement fund distribution, harm reduction initiatives, medication treatment expansion, and workforce development. He highlighted the distribution of over 250,000 naloxone kits and nearly 22 million fentanyl and xylazine test strips.
Willow Baer agency_official informational
Acting Commissioner, New York State Office for People With Developmental Disabilities
Acting Commissioner Baer highlighted the $850 million rate rebase investment (13 percent average increase) and continued workforce development initiatives. She discussed the $75 million capital investment in the Institute for Basic Research, regional disability health clinics, and efforts to improve housing and employment opportunities for people with developmental disabilities.
Maria Lisi-Murray agency_official informational
Acting Executive Director, New York State Justice Center for the Protection of People With Special Needs
Acting Executive Director Lisi-Murray reported that the Justice Center substantiated nearly 4,000 cases and prevented over 300 violent criminals from reentering the workforce. She discussed new initiatives including Category 4 findings (focusing on systemic issues rather than individual blame), expanded training for first responders, and prevention efforts based on data analysis.
Courtney L. David advocate opposed
Executive Director, New York State Conference of Local Mental Hygiene Directors
Ms. David advocated for reform of the competency restoration process, noting that cost-shifting to counties has resulted in massive increases (Warren County experienced a 10,000 percent increase from $14,000 in 2019 to $1.6 million in 2024). She requested a 20 percent administrative state aid increase for Single Point of Access programs and amendments to AOT provisions.
Nathan McLaughlin advocate supportive
Executive Director, National Alliance on Mental Illness of New York State
Mr. McLaughlin testified on behalf of NAMI-NY regarding three legislative priorities: fighting for vulnerable New Yorkers with serious mental illness, breaking down barriers to mental health services, and addressing the youth mental health crisis. He expressed concerns about the 2.1 percent increase and prescriber-prevails issues.
Julie LeClair Neches advocate supportive
Board Member, National Alliance on Mental Illness of New York State; Psychologist; Parent
Ms. Neches shared her personal story of her daughter Alix, who was diagnosed with bipolar disorder and passed away at age 25. She highlighted how Governor Hochul's mental health initiatives helped her daughter and emphasized the importance of peer support and advocacy.
Glenn Liebman advocate opposed
CEO, Mental Health Association in New York State
Mr. Liebman advocated for a 7.8 percent increase instead of the proposed 2.1 percent, citing a 30 percent annual turnover rate among direct care workers. He discussed workforce challenges, noting that direct care workers earn $30,000 annually and that the 2.1 percent increase amounts to only $12 more per week.
Paige Pierce advocate supportive
CEO, Families Together in New York State
Ms. Pierce testified about family peer support programs and the importance of peer advocates. She noted that Families Together trains and credentials family peer advocates and youth peer advocates across the state, and that these programs are struggling due to low Medicaid rates and underfunded Aid to Localities.
Kayleigh Zaloga advocate opposed
President and CEO, New York State Coalition for Children's Behavioral Health
Ms. Zaloga testified about the lack of meaningful investments in children's behavioral health services despite significant state budget surpluses. She noted that three out of four children who qualify for outpatient behavioral health services cannot access them and proposed a $195 million investment.
Ronald E. Richter advocate opposed
CEO, JCCA
Mr. Richter testified about the needs of youth with intensive mental health needs and the licensing issue affecting his organization. He noted that JCCA is losing almost a million dollars annually on young people 21 and older due to Medicaid eligibility rules and that at least a dozen young people are waiting for OPWDD placements.
Joe Tobia advocate supportive
Parent, Retired Mental Health Advocate; County Legislator, Steuben County; Member, Governor's Task Force on Suicide Prevention
Mr. Tobia testified about his son's suicide in August 2021 and advocated for the Rural Suicide Prevention Council (Bill 3610). He described his son's struggles to access mental health services and proposed specific improvements to the bill including immunity clauses, extended terms, and cost estimates.
Jim Karpe advocate opposed
Parent; Board Member, Coalition for Self-Direction
Mr. Karpe testified about his son Daryl and the self-direction program. He described how Daryl was assigned a self-direction budget that is half the amount paid for his dayhab and advocated for equitable budgets and appeal mechanisms for self-directed individuals.
Donald Nesbit advocate opposed
Executive Vice President, Local 372-New York City Board of Education Employees
Mr. Nesbit testified about the Substance Abuse Prevention and Intervention Specialists (SAPIS) program in NYC schools. He noted that 236 SAPIS serve 912,000 students and requested $6 million in funding to add 48 full-time SAPIS and reach 24,000 more students.
Erik Geizer advocate opposed
CEO, The Arc New York
Mr. Geizer testified about the needs of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. He noted that while rate rebasing was significant, the state's investment over two decades still lags inflation by 20 percent. He called for a 7.8 percent increase, a wage commission, and restoration of rate-setting authority to OPWDD.
Kevin Ryan advocate opposed
Board Member, Self-Advocacy Association of NYS
Mr. Ryan testified on behalf of SANYS about the needs of people with developmental disabilities. He highlighted the wheelchair repair crisis, noting that his colleague Shameka Andrews has been unable to get her wheelchair repaired since October. He advocated for increased DSP pay, CDPA and HHA staff pay, and durable medical equipment funding.
Harvey Rosenthal advocate opposed
CEO, Alliance for Rights and Recovery
Mr. Rosenthal testified against forced treatment and involuntary commitment expansion. He advocated for voluntary services, peer-led programs like INSET, and Housing First approaches. He noted that 4 percent of the recovery community is violent while 11 percent are victims.
Ruth Lowenkron advocate opposed
Director, Disability Justice Program, New York Lawyers for the Public Interest
Ms. Lowenkron testified against forced treatment and expanded involuntary commitment. She argued that people with mental health diagnoses are not the problem and that forced treatment is counterproductive. She advocated for incident review panels and comprehensive community-based services.
Tom Culkin advocate supportive
Member and Advocate, Treatment Not Jail Coalition; Mental Health Therapy Aide, Buffalo Psychiatric Center
Mr. Culkin shared his personal experience with mental illness, substance use disorder, and incarceration. He advocated for expanded diversion programs and treatment courts as alternatives to incarceration. He was incarcerated from 2013 to 2020 and emphasized that prison did not help his recovery.
Winifred Schiff advocate opposed
Interagency Council of Developmental Disabilities Agencies; on behalf of New York Disability Advocates
Ms. Schiff testified on behalf of NYDA, representing six provider associations serving over 85 percent of New Yorkers with I/DD. She noted a 17 percent vacancy rate and 35 percent turnover rate for staff. She requested a 7.8 percent increase, creation of a wage commission, and restoration of rate-setting authority to OPWDD.
Doug Cooper advocate opposed
Acting Executive Director, Association for Community Living
Mr. Cooper testified on behalf of ACL, representing providers operating about 95 percent of housing programs for people with mental illness. He noted staff vacancy rates of 30 percent and turnover rates of 50 percent. He requested a 7.8 percent increase and an additional $230 million investment.
Michael Seereiter advocate supportive
President & CEO, New York Alliance for Inclusion and Innovation
Mr. Seereiter testified that for the first time in his memory, the organization is not coming to the Legislature in absolute desperation regarding the staffing crisis, largely due to the Governor's 7/1 rates. He expressed appreciation for the rate rebasing but noted it is not a panacea and requested a 7.8 percent increase.
Dr. Angelia Smith-Wilson advocate opposed
Executive Director, Friends of Recovery-New York
Dr. Smith-Wilson testified on behalf of over 260,000 New Yorkers in recovery. She noted that while overdose deaths decreased 17 percent statewide, the decrease is not equitable in Black and brown communities. She advocated for $1 billion in additional OASAS funding and permanent recovery funding.
Jihoon Kim advocate opposed
President & CEO, InUnity Alliance
Mr. Kim testified on behalf of 200 community-based organizations serving people with substance use disorder and mental health conditions. He noted that while the $1 billion investment is appreciated, most goes to housing that will take years to materialize. He advocated for stabilizing existing community-based services and requested a 7.8 percent increase.
Nicole Porter Davis advocate supportive
Licensed Creative Arts Therapist; Cofounder, Licensed Creative Arts Therapy Advocacy Coalition
Ms. Davis testified about licensed creative arts therapists (LCATs) and their role in providing psychotherapy, particularly for trauma-affected children and vulnerable populations. She noted that the Governor's office determined it would cost only $2 million to on-board 2,000+ LCATs as Medicaid providers.

Senator Engagement (16)

Senator Engagement Stance Focus Areas Summary
Sen. Bill Weber supportive Joseph P. Dwyer Veteran Peer-to-Peer program School-based mental health services Bilingual providers Community classes in self-direction Sen. Weber asked about the Dwyer program expansion, school-based services, and community class access in self-direction programs.
Sen. Jacob Ashby neutral Drug courts Wheelchair repair Sen. Ashby asked about drug court enrollment and wheelchair repair processes.
Sen. John Liu neutral Problem gambling Casino impact Sen. Liu asked about problem gambling monitoring and the impact of casinos on gambling addiction.
Sen. Lea Webb neutral Maternal mental health Cultural competency Targeted inflationary increase Sen. Webb asked about maternal mental health services and cultural competency training.
Sen. Liz Krueger skeptical Discharge planning requirements Supportive housing adequacy Forensic bed capacity Group home closures OPWDD licensing issues Chair Krueger asked pointed questions about discharge planning, housing adequacy, and the feasibility of expanding involuntary commitment without adequate services. She expressed concern about group homes closing and licensing barriers preventing service expansion.
Sen. Nathalia Fernandez supportive Co-occurring disorders Dual licensing Maternal mental health Aging-in-place programs Opioid settlement fund transparency Sen. Fernandez asked detailed questions about co-occurring disorders, dual licensing, and opioid settlement fund transparency. She advocated for integrated care and expressed support for mental health training for teachers.
Sen. Pamela Helming neutral Rural mental health services Opioid death data access County health department coordination Sen. Helming expressed concern about rural mental health services and asked about data access for county health departments.
Sen. Patricia Canzoneri-Fitzpatrick skeptical COLA adequacy Workforce retention Youth mental health Involuntary commitment concerns Loan forgiveness programs Sen. Canzoneri-Fitzpatrick questioned the adequacy of the 2.1 percent increase and advocated for higher COLA rates. She expressed concern about workforce retention and asked about loan forgiveness programs to encourage people to enter the field.
Sen. Patricia Fahy neutral Dual diagnosis services Waitlists for residential services Dental care access Investigation timeliness Sen. Fahy asked about dual diagnosis services, waitlists, and investigation timeliness. She expressed concern about the Justice Center's investigation processes and their impact on workers.
Sen. Peter Oberacker supportive Rural mental health services Decommissioned facilities Transportation barriers Mental wellness terminology Sen. Oberacker invited Commissioner Sullivan to visit his rural district and discussed utilizing decommissioned facilities for mental health services. He advocated for using 'mental wellness' terminology.
Sen. Rob Rolison supportive SOS teams Clubhouses Coordination between agencies Cabinet-level position Sen. Rolison praised the SOS teams and clubhouses in his district and asked about the need for better coordination between state agencies.
Sen. Roxanne Persaud supportive Mandatory overtime Workforce retention DSP compensation Sen. Persaud asked about mandatory overtime and workforce retention, expressing concern about the impact on service quality.
Sen. Samra Brouk supportive Daniel's Law Task Force recommendations AOT efficacy and study results Incident review panels Workforce compensation Peer support programs Sen. Brouk engaged extensively with Commissioner Sullivan on the Daniel's Law Task Force recommendations and AOT implementation. She expressed concern about expanding involuntary commitment without fully implementing voluntary services and emphasized the importance of peer support and adequate discharge planning.
Sen. Shelley Mayer neutral Rate rebasing Regional field offices OMH and OPWDD coordination Sen. Mayer asked about rate rebasing, regional field office staffing, and coordination between OMH and OPWDD on dual diagnosis cases.
Sen. Siela Bynoe neutral CCBHCs Uninsured care funding Sen. Bynoe asked about CCBHC funding and uninsured care pools.
Sen. Tom O'Mara skeptical COLA adequacy Workforce pay disparity Rural mental health services Drug courts Sen. O'Mara questioned the adequacy of the 2.1 percent increase and expressed frustration about the persistent gap between state and nonprofit worker pay. He noted the recurring nature of these budget discussions.

Referenced Bills

S3610 A3610