New York State Senator Pete Harckham announced today that his legislation (S.3051B) to improve behavioral health care services statewide through integrated efforts between two state agencies, a major step forward in treating co-occurring disorders, was signed into law by Governor Kathy Hochul.
The new law authorizes the commissioners of the state’s Office of Mental Health (OMH) and Office of Addiction Services and Support (OASAS) to jointly establish a single set of licensing standards and requirements for the construction, operation, reporting and monitoring of integrated behavioral health services in outpatient centers.
“For too long, state residents suffering from substance use disorder with co-occurring mental health disorders have not received the comprehensive, holistic treatment that would benefit them because they must navigate different systems for help,” said Harckham, who chaired the Senate Alcoholism and Substance Use Disorders Committee from 2019 to 2023. “Through enacting this law, both OMH and OASAS will be on the same page when it comes to streamlining life saving care and treatment, which will hasten recovery efforts immeasurably. I offer my profound gratitude to the many advocates and behavioral health professionals who supported this legislation and thank Governor Hochul for enacting it into law.”